Yu-sheng Yang

What’s the greatest challenge you face?
Nowadays we have more and more students interested in Chinese language, but many are not interested in the culture, so for me it’s really hard to motivate them to pursue a higher understanding of Chinese. If you just know the language, but have no understanding of the culture at all, it’s hard to motivate them to pursue a higher understanding of Chinese.

What was a memorable encounter you had with a student?
Too many! Hmm… I think it was my first year at Georgetown, at the end of the semester my students invited me to Leo’s to have lunch with them. And that’s a Chinese table, you know, they organized. They tried to speak Chinese and they gave me a chance to see how Leo’s is and how the food is.

Did you like the food?
I think if you just try it once, its OK, but if you have to eat everyday, maybe not.

Do you feel like the Chinese department is supported enough by the university?
Maybe not, the more funding the better!

What drew you to Georgetown?
Beautiful campus and bright students! I love teaching.

What do you wish more students would take away from your courses?
Of course Chinese proficiency – I hope I can open the door for them, in the future, to more opportunities to find a job or live in another country. I hope they appreciate Chinese food more and can make friends with people in China.

Interview by Katy Berk