Chang Kaige helped Zhang Ye to take control of the class, “Everyone, quiet down. Listen to Zhang Ye….Teacher Zhang Ye speak.” Although he was not satisfied with Zhang Ye, he still deferred to Zhang Ye in front of the students.. At least he wouldn’t show his distrust of Zhang Ye to the students. Otherwise, Zhang Ye would never be able to start his teaching work at all.
The Dean was rather authoritative as the students stopped their discussions and shouting. They sat there quietly.
Zhang Ye looked to President Wu and Chang Kaige, “President Wu, Dean Chang?”
Wu Zeqing waved as she smiled and led Chang Kaige, the other teachers and professors to the empty seats at the front row, “This is your class and also the first time you are meeting your students. Don’t bother with us.” They were here to welcome their new colleague and to help the new teacher take control of his class. Students nowadays were getting more and more rowdy. Even Peking University had students like that. People, who gained admission into Peking University, were considered clever, but the more clever a child was, the more rebellious they were. So to prevent a teacher from being overrun by such student bullying, President Wu had invited them over. In the past, just having Chang Kaige or a professor who was authoritative would do the trick, but as Zhang Ye’s situation was a little special, President Wu had also come down herself. This could be considered a special privilege that few had received.
But it seemed like their worries had been in vain. The students seemed to welcome Zhang Ye, even more welcoming than what they received in their time.
Zhang Ye only said, “Alright.”
The Peking University students all looked at him without being distracted.
Zhang Ye was not frightened by this and smiled saying, “Let me first introduce myself. Maybe some of you know me, some of you don’t. My name is Zhang Ye, I will be your lecturer from now on for ‘Appreciation of the Classics’. Those who have watched my programs before should know that I am a straightforward person and don’t like to beat around the bush. So for my class, I won’t have too many rules. Anyone can freely raise questions during class and you can also look for me after class if there’s anything you don’t understand. You can even be absent for class and I will be fine with that….but of course, any consequences will be borne by you!”
“Pfft!”
“Hur Hur Hur.”
Many of the students were tickled!
Your sister! What do you mean it’s fine even if we don’t come to class!? Isn’t that not fine!?
Dean Chang Kaige looked at Zhang Ye. This Zhang Ye really does know how to liven up a situation, but it wasn’t a surprise since he’s already a Talk Show host to begin with. His oratorical skills would definitely be much stronger than them, being traditional academic teachers and professors.
Professor Zeng watched with great interest.
A new teacher’s first interaction with students was a very important event. Not only would you have to convey your teaching style and specialty, you would also have to build a good relationship with them. The first impressions would dictate whether a student would trust you or respect you as a new teacher. This was not down to how famous or well known you were, but how you impressed them with your knowledge and how you carried yourself. If you couldn’t impress them, then the students would not respect you. You would cast doubt in their hearts and definitely affect your teaching quality.
It’s not easy to become a good university lecturer. This was not the same as being a good host. One focused on entertaining, the other focused on educating. In that, there’s already a huge difference. This was no longer junior or high school anymore. The students were not so easy to control. Do you think a student could be controlled if you just stared hard at them? This was a university, Peking University! It would be easy if a teacher could use staring alone to control the students. So, at this important first meeting, the teachers had wanted to know what Zhang Ye would do. Thinking back, there was a new teacher, who had just arrived at Peking University, and was nearly embarrassed by a student.
Zhang Ye’s approach was very simple. He said to everyone, “I know some of you still have classes later, so for this interaction, I would like to do it in a Q & A style. It would be faster and would speed up our understanding of each other. Alright, there are 5 chances, anyone can ask any question. I will answer every one of them.”
“Really?”
“Me, me!”
“I have a question!”
A lot of students had raised their hands!
Yao Mi, Li Ying and Li Li all had their hands up!
Everyone’s enthusiasm was evident. Any Q & A by a new teacher in the past was never met with such intensity. This was because the students were too curious about this legendary person and Zhang Ye was different from those professors or teachers, who were so rigid. This sort of novelty was