Unlike other courses in China, the most important thing I learnt from his class is not the conclusion I gained, but the way to re-judge and rethink the whole world. As he said in the first class, it would rock our world as long as we started to think deep. So it is. I used to think why I have to study after Gaokao (the college entrance examination, it like the eventual goal for Chinese students), and many Chinese students feel free from high school, meanwhile, they do not what to do next in college. I want to be college teacher like Alex, really, he makes me want to be a teacher like him. I can not say some great words like saving the lost generation in China, I just want to make more people think, like Alex did. And do some thing even a little, to make the education circumstance better in China. From my soul and heart, I appreciate that I could meet a teacher like Alex, sometimes I could not explain myself clear in English, even though, he understood, like friends did.

As for Alex, the person, I do not know much about him, just a few months we know each other, and I will not to describe him with such limited phrases. But I am sure that he is a good teach, I really mean it, not just for writing this recommendation. And you will know he is a good teacher through my words, and when you have a chance to listen his class.

Thanks, Sincerely.

Yours,

Liang Qi

teaching position, who has taught me for a semester during his tenure in Chongqing University.

It is doubtless that Mr.Detmering is liked by students throughout his career in our college. In his class, we students always feel relaxed, joyful and vigorous. He possesses an exceptional ability to connect with all levels of students so that everyone gets great chances to plunge into the content wholeheartedly. The topics he chooses to explain and discuss with us are both meaningful and extensive, from music to war, from philosophy to love, and from conformity to humanity. His excellent command over the subject and the strong abilities in writing and verbal thinking make him an outstanding professional in the field of teaching. The admirable ability of him is that he is capable of expounding a comprehensive and complicated concept in an accessible way without detracting any point from the original. Hence, it’s quite beneficial and comfortable for me to have his well-organized, well-prepared and well-polished class.

Mr.Detmering is probably the most popular foreign teacher in the campus. Beyond academics, he devotes himself in various activities, like playing tennis, hiking and taekwondo, which help us to feel his passion, persistence and power. Although he doesn’t teach our grade now, but I still audit his class and keep in touch with him regularly. Personally speaking, he is not only an amicable and knowledgeable teacher of mine(the best foreign teacher I have ever had), but also an honest friend and credible big brother, from whom I would get the instruction, with whom I would share my happiness, thanks to whom I would motivate my potential, broaden my eyesight and explore the unknown world. I am so lucky and proud to acquaint him.

His leaving is a significant loss to me and to the college, but I certainly wish Mr.Detmering all the best on the path he has chosen. Based on his extraordinary knowledge, skills and ability to teach effectively and efficiently, there is no doubt in my mind that he is an outstanding educator and he will definitely be a tremendous asset to any college. I highly recommend Mr.Detmering to you without reservation.

Sincerely

Shine

class. Actually I plan to amplify his shortcomings in this letter so maybe you won’t want him and he has to return here and continue his class… That’s a joke. He really is the best English teacher I had ever seen.

His was most infectious and approachable. College classes in China are more infectious the other way. No matter how strong your will is, the teacher can always drives you to sleep. However, it’s totally different in Alex’s class. We never feel sleepy or want to do something else. His voice is very loud and attractive, and he has rich body languages to make his thoughts conveyed. With eyes and ears all focused on what he is doing and talking about, we are fully absorbed in the class.

He has great skills in teaching. Here are what he uses to teach us.

1. Interest. As he believes that interest can act as the best teacher in learning, he always has some great interesting topics for us. It works! Once, we were all confused about one of his viewpoints and the bell rings to signify the finish of the class. We then voluntarily give up lunch time to listen to his explanations. That’s rather rare in China. But that happens because we are really interested in his topic.
2. Detailed and vivid explanation. As our class is about morality, we often face some rather sophisticated concepts and questions. What is morality? What is Why do you think conformity happens? Is there any solutions towards war? We had vague knowledge of these concepts and questions, but he was able to make all of us understand at last. He cares if we really understand. He always ends his speech by “do you understand what I’m saying?”
3. Make the students talk. In the very first class, he climbed onto the desk and sat on the edge of it. Smiling, he looked around the classroom and said: come on, say something, let me know what do you think. He ensures everyone has a chance to express their own thoughts. That on the one hand keeps us focused and interested and on the other hand pushes the class to go on smoothly.

And that’s about all what I want to comment on Alex’s performance as a teacher. I really hope he can stay here. I’m sure he will be a great teacher in your school. If you have doubts about his ability, I suggest that you give him a chance to teach a class and see what he can do. That certainly will convince you of his talents in teaching.

Best wishes!

Yours sincerely

Kenneth

To start with, I have to say I don’t know him much because he only teaches for a term once a week. But even during this short time, I still praise him for his work.

I remember I have seen a movie called Dead Poets Society, which you must know. I would say that Alex is the Capitan of my long way of studying, even just for a short term. “Learn to think for yourselves again. No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” And that is what Alex told us to do. As a matter of fact, I am concerned about the current situation of Chinese college students, including me of course.

You know I always heard some complains about the current situation that we have no ideas for their future and feel no confident to face the challenge of independent life. Also we are confused about the meaning of studying, which we have to do because as long as we want to graduate. And Alex said: I always think to encourage students to think critically does best to their study and to make them interested in leads them think. Indeed he did in that way.

You know my class is a really small class only with 6 students, so every lesson we have opportunities to express our ideas and thoughts. That is what Alex wants us to do, as he said, I don’t want to talk too much, all I want is you guys talking and expressing your ideas. I have to say I love his class, and this is because he made us interested in.

The second main point is passion. I bet Alex is one of the teachers with most passion to attend class and teach us. I don’t know if I use the right words “teach”, because I think we look more like friends and just share ideas together. When he focuses on our class, I think, he really loves teaching, for the bottom of his heart. As he said, since when he was college student, his teacher made him want to be a teacher.

There is no doubt that wherever he is, he will continue to teach as well and passionately as he did in China. And I firmly believe that he would do a great job. I like him. He is one of the best teachers that I’ve ever met.

At last, I would like to use the lines of Dead Poets Society to finish this letter “oh Capitan, my Capitan!”

(Apology for my poor words to show his excellence.)

Sincerely,

Dong Wangfeng