Teacher strives to make classes fun and educational

Zhang Xiaoyi

Charles Kieffer, originally from the United States, is trying to make his classes interesting and useful to the students at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shenzhen, in Longgang District.

Having been in the city for nine years, Kieffer is now the senior lecturer in the English program at the School of Humanities and Science. To be a fun and inspiring teacher, he uses psychology during his classes.

“I try to weave it (psychology) into regular assignments so that there can be deeper personal growth,” said Kieffer.

In a speech training activity, he asked students to deliver speeches on topics related to themselves. He said students can grow as people by doing this.

“Chinese are into academics at the expense of other parts of their lives,” said Kieffer.

He said his assignments also nurture students’ awareness of the world, including knowledge about global warming.

“Keep them involved and keep them active. Give them a lot of power by not being scared in front of people,” he said.

Kieffer made students join in a debate or engage in a mock interview.

He also has his students role-play as characters from popular TV shows like “Friends.”

“[Hopefully] in their memories, as time goes by, I’m closer to one of the teachers that was exciting… who helped them to grow transformationally and bond with each other, instead of the boring teacher that put them to sleep,” said Kieffer.

Kieffer received a bachelor degree in Psychology and a master degree in School Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He earned Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Alliant International University.

He teaches comprehensive English, listening, speaking, reading, writing, and will soon teach psychology at CUHK.