Teachers have always had a high status in Chinese society. Statistics show that although Taiwan's population from 1951 to 1983 increased enormously from 7 million to 18 million, the average number of students taught by one teacher dropped markedly, from 38 to 27 pupils. This interest in instruction continues today unabated. Every year thousands apply to National Taiwan Normal University and specialized teachers' colleges, but of the 7,000 in Taipei who take the entrance test, only 150 are admitted, making it even more difficult than the college entrance exam. In a Sinorama random survey of 100 households in the Taipei area, fully 67% of the respondents said they would like to be teachers.

As a profession, teaching has its attractions. Although salaries are low, there is job security and winter and summer vacations. Teachers also enjoy the respect of society, which believes instructors to be high-minded and moral people. 77% of our respondents agreed with the adage, "Teacher for a day, teacher for life." People in Taiwan generally honor teachers for their identity as teachers, rather than for their individual ability, an attitude which disturbs many educational experts here.

In general, students in teachers' colleges and universities should be more committed and capable than their counterparts in other schools. However, according to recent studies, things often don't turn out this way. Students in regular schools were found to be more motivated and scored higher than those planning to be teachers. One expert likened the situation to marriage; before the wedding, marriage appears as fascinating and highly desirable, but after the wedding, it is routine and monotonous. With little or no choice of their field of study, student interest consequently tends to flag. Pupils receive an NT$2000 monthly stipend (US$50) but are obliged to teach for five years upon graduation. Sometimes vacancies cannot be found in a given student's field, and students trained in English are occasionally found teaching classical Chinese, which further lowers motivation.

Although knowledge and expertise are important, character is a key factor in the making of a good instructor. Patience, love, sensitivity and a liking for meeting many different kinds of people rank at the top of the list of desirable traits. Teachers must also communicate with students' families and understand how the home environment affects a given student's performance. One educational authority advocates first testing applicants for their character and motivation and only then allowing the successful ones to take the school entrance exams.

Teachers today face a more difficult task than did their predecessors two or three generations ago. Then the youngsters' prime influences were their instructors and their families. The present generation receives considerably more attention from parents and is subject to many different kinds of stimulation, such as television, movies, and magazines. Children may learn only part of the picture and this later can affect their ambition and self-identity. In response to these changes, teachers should instill in their pupils a sense of right and wrong and a sense of discipline, in addition to knowledge and information. Moreover, as education becomes more widespread, the position of the teacher slowly is demystified, making instructors rely more on their ability than their profession for others' respect.

Teachers must also modify their approach in light of social changes. Traditional instructors tolerated no disagreement or criticism from their pupils. Good teachers were those that were learned and presented their material well. As students become more individualistic, however, and seek to discuss subjects with the teacher, the instructor must learn how to draw out his or her pupils and then gently guide them in a beneficial direction.

Survey results show that most respondents liked best their elementary school teacher. 53% said elementary school gave them their fondest memories, and after those that only had sixth-grade educations were excluded, 30% still gave their highest marks to the elementary school teacher. Among the reasons given were that teachers were more concerned about the students and were more careful. Young students are more impressionable, and happy events then often turn into warm memories. Elementary school teachers, not surprisingly, are often found to have the highest levels of job satisfaction and sense of accomplishment in the profession.

In junior high school, the teacher-student relationship becomes more complex. The differences between individual students are greater, and the competitive pressure intensifies dramatically. In addition, students enter adolescence and become more rebellious. Conflicts between students and teachers become more common. Many high school teachers also offer after-school tutoring or teach in night school.

A common criticism today leveled at teachers is that they care too much for money. In our survey, 56% of the respondents said they could accept instructors working at night schools so long as it didn't affect their performance in regular school. In truth, most teachers do not approve of this general trend. However, this new practical attitude is in keeping with society's current direction, and sometimes instructors can use their outside experience in the classroom.

Teaching offers almost complete job security, with dismissals being rare. Some instructors, however, are beginning to ask for teacher evaluations from their students, in order to check and improve their own performance. Over half of our respondents favored this system, and it later may become part of Taiwan's educational system.

(Mark Halperin)

[Picture Caption]

Classes held outdoors make for a more relaxed atmosphere.

Elementary school teachers face a never-ending string of "Why?"s from their curious students.

Kindergarten is the beginning of a child's education and a great challenge for any instructor.

One-to-one conversations help student and teacher better understand eachother.

Elementary school teachers face a never-ending string of "Why?"s from their curious students.

Kindergarten is the beginning of a child's education and a great challenge for any instructor.

One-to-one conversations help student and teacher better understand each　other.