Teaching Western Literature to Chinese Students: Context, Comparison, and Contrast

Many foreign teachers who come to Taiwan and start teaching Western literature to students here may be unpleasantly surprised to discover that their undergraduate students have almost no idea of what they are talking about (although I understand that this phenomenon is currently not exactly uncommon in the United States). Some Chinese teachers may join their foreign colleagues in disparaging their Chinese students' lack of knowledge concerning Western civilization and literature, and subsequent lack of response, or inappropriate response (i.e., 'stupid questions') during class. This lack of background knowledge on the part of the students should not, however, necessarily be considered a fault of either the students or of their secondary (pre-college or -university) education. Rather, it should be seen as something to be expected and worked with.