Season 2015-16 
Opinion Talking Points
When Skies Are Grey, China style...
16 Comments
I'm an English teacher and have been in Asia, mostly Thailand, since 2007.
More recently, I've taught in Vietnam and, currently, am a few months into my second spell teaching in China. Last time, it was for kids, in Beijing; this time, I'm teaching grown-ups in Foshan, southern China.
Point is, yes I'm on ToffeeWeb because I'm an Everton supporter. This means I've been carrying my feelings on all things 'Nil Satis..' and Blue for many, many years, now. Goes without saying, perhaps.
Very recently, I also decided to 'do' an 'English Corner' (a presentation and discussion etc on the teachers own thing, basically) on 'The Ups and Downs of Following Your Team'. I broke into the subject of football, Everton specifically, gently (although most of my students know exactly who I follow in England!) by getting a few thoughts on their own favourite sports and possible 'passions'.
I used PowerPoint to put together (admittedly, containing a few of the more detailed facts and figures, from the usual internet sources) a presentation on Everton, our history, longevity in the English top-flight, some past-managers, trophies etc but also related such slips or near-slips from grace as that heart-stopping 3-2 comeback against Wimbledon all those years ago!!
Of course, none of this info is anything new to ToffeeWeb members, but the passion we all feel for our team(s) back in England was apparently quite a revelation to my, mostly quite young, Chinese adult students.
I got some of their thoughts on how they felt about, how closely they followed, some more 'Chinese' sports, such as basketball, badminton, and 'ping-pong' but they seemed genuinely amazed at the passion we English carry regarding our beloved football teams, notably 'my' Everton, in this case, of course.
To cap this off, as I also have done a few 'singalongs' with these same students (whilst introducing my ukulele!), my final slide contained the lyrics of a song which I, rightfully, hoped they might all recognise.. 'You are my sunshine.' Except, after a cursory, vocal-chord limbering pre-run, I then told the students that this was actually also my team, Everton's, song... hence it's introduction, here. I also asked them if they could think how we could could slightly alter the lyrics shown to make the song 'specific' to the team. They weren't sure.
Click... click... click... and suddenly the word 'Everton' swept down to cover all the instances of 'sunshine'!! A few rounds of 'You are my Everton..' later and arms were swaying in the air!!!
I loved it, THEY loved it, and (you never know!) maybe our love for the blue shirt has inspired a few new Goodison Blues in this neck of the woods!!
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Reader Comments (16)
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2 Posted 04/06/2016 at 05:15:35
3 Posted 04/06/2016 at 13:28:00
4 Posted 04/06/2016 at 14:17:17
5 Posted 04/06/2016 at 14:57:12
Talking to people over the years while traveling around the world and having to repeat everything at least three times, and still some don't understand means I probably sound like a posh Scouser now, if there is such a thing.
6 Posted 04/06/2016 at 15:37:42
Very nice story. Thank you.
Gary,
Thanks for the laugh. I represent those who must have failed the shoplifting courses as they continue to get nicked whilst doing it (allegedly of course).
7 Posted 04/06/2016 at 16:18:50
8 Posted 05/06/2016 at 03:10:02
When I lived in Singapore I knew a football fan who had the shirts for Man U, Man City and Chelsea as they were all recent EPL winners when I was there. He told he he was really an Arsenal fan, and desperate for them to win...
I saw a headline on a parody site recently that said something like "Asia Man Utd fans agree 12 month extension amid rumours of Leicester City switch"....
9 Posted 05/06/2016 at 03:59:43
Maybe it's all these expat teachers giving a proper education?
10 Posted 05/06/2016 at 06:42:15
11 Posted 05/06/2016 at 07:04:17
On the OP, the majority of Asian EPL supporters I know are very knowledgeable and follow the game quite passionately. I think some countries/cities are more of an EPL hotbed than others. In Shenzhen I found supporters followed Real and Barca more than the EPL because of the popularity of Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar (especially amongst young females).
Singapore and HK on the other hand - EPL crazy and the support was quite diverse. I spent time in Sing and had heated debates with fans of Spurs and West Ham, on top of those following RS, Arsenal and Utd.
Some tended to pick a side when Barca played Real but their first love was their EPL team. A few had spent a fortune to visit the UK for a match.
12 Posted 05/06/2016 at 07:33:21
13 Posted 05/06/2016 at 09:09:33
14 Posted 05/06/2016 at 12:59:08
15 Posted 06/06/2016 at 12:12:14
16 Posted 06/06/2016 at 22:00:24
Agree with people that if you meet a Blue, they're genuine. Meet a Nan U or Chelsea fan and my instant suspicion is 'you're a fake fan'
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1 Posted 04/06/2016 at 01:02:43