Reddit reviews Tragedy of Liberation

https://www.amazon.com/Tragedy-Liberation-History-Revolution-1945-1957/dp/1620403471

I recommend this book, if you want to know more about the years right after the Party assumed power.

Frank Dikotter is a famous China scholar based at Hong Kong. His books on China under Mao’s rule are well-researched, backed with historical documents and materials that are rare to find anywhere else.

https://www.amazon.com/Tragedy-Liberation-History-Revolution-1945-1957/dp/1620403471

https://www.amazon.com/Maos-Great-Famine-Devastating-Catastrophe-ebook/dp/B004BDOM24

https://www.amazon.com/Cultural-Revolution-Peoples-History-1962_1976/dp/1632864231

I'm surprised their level of English is low, as you suggest, because one of the requirements of Chinese government for exchange-students is to pass an IELTS standards-test. However, it could be their parents found a more....financial alternative, if you get my meaning.

You're doing the right thing with using Google-translate, especially if you are using Windows language bar (they write in Chinese in Google-translate).

May I recommend installing google-translate app on your cell-phone and installing this app- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pleco.chinesesystem&hl=en

Pleco will allow your Chinese friends to write in Chinese Hazi, which pleco can translate.

WARNING: Chinese-made dictionaries are very corrupt- i.e Chinese student writes a hanzi-word he wants translated, it comes out gibberish. Comedy at best, bloody frustrating other times. Insist on using Google.

Good idea to embrace their Mandarin. I recommend downloading this- http://kickass.to/pimsleur-ladyfae-12-languages-t7763469.html (deselected other languages to save GB-space). Learning Chinese takes some devotion but its very rewarding, at the least.

I recommend learning Chinese songs to bridge the gap. Chinese love singing or hearing songs. Teresa Teng's "tian mi mi" is a good start (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwNy03cDcGA). Here are the lyrics- http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/teresa_teng/tian_mi_mi.html They're easy to learn. Go to www. chinasmack.com for more songs (ignore the tabloid-news crap, its all reactionary-BS).

China has KTV bars here where people have singing-parties. So take them to a karaoke bars, if any, as they'll be the closest alternative. Or just book an empty classroom for an impromtu KTV-party.

Follow Chinese TV shows, such as Scarlet Heart (步步惊心 )- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cSzi064h-A&list=PL38225A73B22EEF00 This may be a bit out-dated now but get them to show you what TV shows they like.

They will love online gaming. Most popular games in China are LOL, WOW and CS. Get yer laptop out, start gaming, you hero.

Chinese men LOVE billiards. Get yer cue-stick and off you go.

Read books, particularly Theodore H White's "Thunder out of China" and this one- http://www.amazon.com/The-Tragedy-Liberation-Revolution-1945-1957/dp/1620403471 This will give you an unbaised awareness of what China is all about. Seriously, its criminal how we are not taught what's in these books in school!

Teaching them English is a wonderful opportunity for you and looks great on your CV. These kids will most likely be there for only a short-term so don't expect much progress.

One thing you must know: dump that sterotype of Chinese students being highly-educated. That only happens in Shanghaii, which is a separate city-state and gives the most pre-conceived idea of China. Education in China is extremely under-resourced, chaoticly-adminisitered and heavily-nepotistic.

Here some ideas for simple english lessons for you- follow @polarbackup suggestion, "talk smack about their teachers". This can teach them comparitives- "he is the FATTEST", "he is the SMARTEST", "he is bigger than...", so forth. Draw flashcards with carictures of their teachers or people, write out some verbs (big, bigger, biggest/pretty, beautiful, most beautiful, etc.). BOSH! you gotta lesson.

How about this? Take them to a supermarket. Divide them into groups of two or more. Give each group a copy of your shopping list and a basket, instruct them to find all the things on the list within a certain time, give them handouts with dialogue to use ("excuse me, do you know where the __ is?"). First group back within time with the correct basket of goods wins a prize. KABLAM! A lesson. (and quite possibly your shopping done).

This is a great thread you've opened up here and I wish you all the best of luck. Please keep it going.

Post here for more teaching info, lesson ideas or any questions.