Teaching Meaning and Finding Meaning in Life in China

Abstract

Human beings make and find meaning on several levels, as we are intrinsically driven to do so in order to experience life satisfaction and sense of fulfillment. In this auto-ethnographic paper, I share my experiences as a communication and English teacher in China, helping students to understand and express meaning. This basic level of working with meaning has led to higher levels of meaning in discussions inside and beyond the classroom with scores of students, positively affecting not only my students but also myself. In contrast to considering language and communication meaning in my professional arena, I share my higher level personal search for meaning, after making radical career, relationship and personal life changes to become a sojourner in China. The paper concludes with the realization that working with the different levels of meaning in different life arenas has repurposed and brought wholeness to my life, validating that meaning is what makes life worth living.

Keywords

Belonging / communication / culture / culture shock / identity / intercultural communication / meaning / meaning in life / social roles / teaching

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