During teaching training, it was important for the teacher to meet the immediate needs, ie the next teaching point of the students. This includes the interests and the culture of the students. Then your needs will also be met, your salary.

Students learn language, then learn through language.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Teach from the top. China has huge classes. Won't they become noisy if they break into small groups to discuss. How will you know that they are talking about class material and not about "the sexy new singer?" Control issues.

China has historically been a conformist nation to the ideology of the day. How will the Government and School feel if a foreigner comes into class, with the potential to change their belief system? So therefore free talking could be encouraged using small talk items, such as shopping, movies, food, sports, etc, when and if able to.

Even thought it feels constrictive, I think it's workable, and can pay a years salary if you need it,plus sightseeing, which must be the bottom line.

This has been written by someone who has taught in Korea, and not in China.

Oh, One school I was in Korea, the director had the students line up like in the army and shout out dialogs as she was holding a big stick. It WAS the English Military on the block!!!!!