Take Five: Na Li

Story by Mary Couch

Illustrations by Emilia Lis

Photos by Kalee Gapinski

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article was published with the first illustration shown incorrectly representing the subject. After Talisman noticed this error, the article was updated to represent a more accurate version of the subject. Talisman regrets this error.

Welcome to “Take Five,” a column where we sit down with WKU faculty and staff members to learn about five things they love.

Chinese Instructor Na Li has been a faculty member of WKU’s Department of Modern Languages since 2017. Li is originally from Northern China, where she said she learned English in school as her required second language.

“My high school teachers kind of changed my life, so I want to do the same thing for my students,” Li said.

Li said she chose to teach Chinese to people with different first languages because she believed it would allow her to travel the world and learn more about other cultures.

“I was curious about the world,” Li said. “I want to explore more.”

Talisman sat down with Li to ask her about a few of her favorite things. Get to know her through her answers.

1. Teaching Chinese language and culture

One of Li’s favorite parts of teaching Chinese, she said, is seeing her students grow as they gain confidence in the language.

“It’s not just about accuracy, it’s about courage and ownership of the language,” Li said.

Li is most passionate about exploring the stories and values behind the culture as she teaches, she said. Students are typically most excited to learn about Chinese food Li said, but she makes sure to explain the importance of Chinese food to society.

Li said that China experienced a period of famine in the 1960s, which brought food to the forefront of Chinese society.

In China, Li said, instead of asking “How are you?” as we do in English, they greet each other by asking, “Do you have enough food?”

“When you say this you show you care about a person,” Li said.

2. Dead Poets Society

Li said she enjoys watching “Dead Poets Society” and the character of Mr. Keating, a teacher at a strict all-boys school, particularly inspired her. 

“His teaching style is very different than the traditional system,” Li said.

She said the teacher in the movie encourages his students to think for themselves and teaches his lessons based on life experiences and critical thinking.

“After that movie, I think I want to be a teacher like him,” Li said.

Li said her biggest takeaway from that movie was the mantra “carpe diem,” or “seize the day.” She said this idea drives her to make her life meaningful. This concept, she said, propelled her to pursue her doctorate.

“When I do teaching and learning together, I feel like my life is more meaningful,” Li said.

3. Gardening

“I’m a teacher, and most of the time I stay in the office and I stay in the classroom, and then I really want to go out,” Li said. “I really enjoy nature, so that is why I want to have a garden.”

She said she has two gardens, one for flowers and one for vegetables. Li said she keeps the flower garden simply because she likes pretty flowers. She said her vegetable garden, however, keeps her connected to her Chinese roots.

“It’s difficult for me to purchase Chinese vegetables here, so I usually will grow some for myself, for my family, for my friends,” Li said.

She said gardening is a family affair for the Li’s. Li said she, her husband, and their five-year-old son all enjoy spending time outside in the garden. Li said she uses gardening as an opportunity to connect with her son.

“I want to show him when you plant a seed in the soil, it can give you a surprise,” Li said.

Li said gardening is a way for the family to relax together and take time away from screens.

4. Traveling

Li said one of her favorite places to visit is Jeonju, South Korea, where she taught for two years. She said that she would describe life there as slow, which she appreciated. She said that simple activities like the short walk to the school where she taught were refreshing.

Li said another one of her favorite places she visited is the United States. She said she traveled to San Diego for a conference where she got to enjoy the sights of the ocean and San Diego’s vibrant flowers.

“I feel like San Diego is a flower city,” Li said. “Personally, I really love flowers.”

She said one of the most notable parts of San Diego was the trees she saw there covered in blue blooms.

She said that in San Diego, there are people from so many diverse backgrounds that the cultures begin to mix. Li said she uses her travels as an opportunity to meet people and learn more about others.

“I love to chat with strangers to know their stories,” Li said. 

Li said that she is often able to open up and share parts of her own story with the people she meets.

5. Tennis

Li said she has been playing tennis as a hobby for six years now.

“I’m not professional, it’s just for fun,” Li said.

Li said her husband, however, was a professional tennis player. She said he introduced her to the sport when they first met, teaching at Metcalfe County schools, where he also coached tennis.

Li said that she enjoys playing tennis with her husband because it makes them work better as a team.

“It makes me think about just like my marriage,” Li said. “Sometimes you should hit in the front, and some people need to protect the back.”

She and her husband have been able to apply this coverage tactic to other areas of their marriage. While her husband was in school for his doctorate, she said she took care of their baby and focused on work. 

Now she said her husband is doing the same for her as she works toward her own doctorate. On Saturday and Sunday, when she needs to study a lot, she said her husband looks after their son.

Li said that their experience as a team on the court makes them work better together off the court.