Phoebe Yi introduces her culture to BRHS

BRADEN RIVER — As students filed into Phoebe Yi’s classroom at Braden River High School Monday, a rush of excitement replaced any nervousness she had leading up to the first day of school.

Although Yi has been teaching English in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China for several years, the China native now is sharing her cultural and language skills with American students at Braden River, where Yi is introducing the school’s first Chinese language curriculum.

“Wow, I had a wonderful day with the kids,” Yi said after her first day of classes Aug. 22. “I am sure they can master this language easily. (The students) are very talented.”

Yi, who will teach full time at Braden River this year, is part of the Chinese Guest Teacher Program, a collaboration between Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters in China and the College Board in the United States. In total, more than 450 teachers from China have been assigned to teach in elementary, middle and high schools throughout the United States. Yi is one of four teaching in Manatee County.
Yi has been teaching English to Chinese students since 2004, but this week marked Yi’s first time teaching Chinese to English speakers.

“This is a good opportunity for both sides,” Yi said. “For my English students (back home), I want to bring them very authentic materials. For students (here), I will give them a new impression of China today.

“The world is globalizing,” she said. “Students in the United States should have a chance to understand the different cultures in the world. I am honored to teach and promote Chinese culture.”

Yi says her first challenge will be teaching her American students the four tones used to speak the Chinese language and also to explain culture differences between the Chinese and Americans.

On their first day of classes, students learned a little about China and even practiced several greetings in Chinese. Already, Yi is excited by their progress.

“The most exciting thing is to be here with the students and to see them improve every day,” Yi said.
Yi also is eager to learn the American culture and hone her own English skills so she can better teach her students back in China, she said.

Since arriving in Bradenton July 28, Yi has visited the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, attended Lakewood Ranch’s Music on Main concert and tasted her first hot dog at a Bradenton Marauders baseball game.

“I really want to cherish the time here,” Yi said. “I want to see different areas with different cultures and visit universities, if possible.”

While in the United States, Yi said she also would like to visit some of the country’s famous cities, such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Seattle.

Braden River Assistant Principal Alan Ramos said Yi won’t just be teaching her students in the classroom but also will be working to infuse Chinese culture throughout the school, collaborating with other teachers to educate students about Chinese art, agriculture and other aspects of China.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].