Coming from Birmingham, UK, Dee was captivated by Chinese culture and moved to Shenzhen. She met her husband from Henan and later relocated with their baby to rural Tanghe Dahetun Village in Nanyang, Henan. The village's primary school—where her husband, father-in-law, and sister-in-law once worked or studied—is now where she volunteers to teach English.
Holding her mixed-race baby, followed by children calling out "Teacher Dee", tilling fields and learning to plant vegetables while practicing Chinese… these scenes have long become part of the village's daily landscape. The English songs she teaches the children now carry the scent of wheat across the Central Plains countryside. "Here, we have everything we need," Dee says. Blending local dialects with English, this land has become a home transcending national borders.
Ice-breaking moment in classroom
One day, Dee's father-in-law gently suggested, "Why not put your knowledge and strength to use and teach English to the village children in your spare time?" With years of teaching experience, Dee agreed without hesitation: "My husband's grandfather was once the principal here. His aunt and father both studied at this school. Our family holds a special affection for this place. As the third generation, we have both the duty and honor to contribute."
In Dahetun Village School's classroom, Dee employs inquiry-based teaching methods. She guides students to describe familiar vegetables in English, encouraging them to speak boldly. At first, the students were shy to speak. Buy gradually, and they built their confidence and became increasingly engaged. Whenever Dee asks a question, the students would raise their hands and shout "Me, me!".
"Seeing their change from timid to confident, that's what deeply gratifies me… English is a universal language. Mastering it opens more opportunities and choices for these children's futures."
Healthy countryside life
"Waking up every day to pick fresh vegetables from the garden, this was unimaginable back in the city." Squatting outside the courtyard, Dee has already learned how to cut garlic sprouts. The garden blooms with assorted vegetables and flowers. Sitting in the garden gazebo, she tells the reporter this would be "a luxury" in Britain, because "organic products cost a fortune". Here, her morning coffee is brewed with warm goat milk from neighbors, while lunch features stir-fried pork with peppers grown in her plot.
The tight-knit community spirit has deeply moved Dee. Villagers' warmth and willingness to help each other make her feel "part of the big family."
Dee and her family intend to settle rurally "until this lifestyle no longer suits us. "Meanwhile, she diligently studies Chinese to better integrate into local culture and ease her husband's translation duties. She's already mastered Henan dialect phrases like "Okay or not?" and "Girl, have you eaten?". She thinks adapting to a new culture is an ongoing journey, "and I cherish every opportunity."
(Reporter, Cameraman: Liu Rui; Editor: Wang Yi; Translator: Ella Qu; English Editor: Darius)
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