Spend any amount of time in a large (or even moderately-sized) Chinese city and it will become abundantly clear that foreign English teachers are a very visible minority. In some districts they are almost more plentiful than the Chinese.
They take over bars, drink 7-11’s dry and crash around your apartment building at all hours of the night.
So, with a constant flow of teachers coming and going, for this week’s 5 Things we decided to look at things foreign teachers should know – and expect – before making the big move.
To compose our list we turned to Canadian teacher Ian Peers.
“I’ve always wanted to teach abroad and even before I became a regulated teacher, I had looked at jobs for years,” said Peers. “When I heard that a school district in Vancouver had a partnership with a district in China, I was in.
“It can be a terrifying thing leaving your country for work, especially if there is work back home.”
Peers teaches at the ShiYan Public School, in Bao’an Shenzhen. Having taught in Canada previously, his insights into being a teacher in China are particularly insightful.
1. TIC
This is China, get used to hearing it, saying it and thinking it. For a foreign teacher this saying specifically refers to everything that happens last minute, because everything does. Wondering when your holiday is? You will find out the week of (if our lucky). Wondering when you have a formal lunch, meeting or social? You will find out last minute. Every time I find myself getting frustrated by this I just say to myself, TIC.
My advice, expect the unexpected and try to be flexible. No matter what, you will be surprised.
2. Students
If you are like me, and have taught in your home country before, you will notice your students are very different from those back home. Of course there are many similarities, awkward teenagers, pimply faces and voice cracks, but it’s the personalities that take awhile to get used to - or even see.
I have found students who have never had a Western teacher take longer to open up. Some lack critical thinking and are content with sitting in their desks, following the status quo, taking orders and flying under the radar.
The Chinese education system has not helped this a whole lot. Because their state exams are mostly memorization, teachers (who keep their jobs based on how well their students perform on these exams) have to teach to the test. The repeated chants and military style management can be a tough hurdle to hop over, but once you do, the students are amazing.
My advice, do icebreakers, have students write about themselves so you can find out their interests and bond with them.
3. VPN
If you don’t know what this is – Google it, unless you’re already here.
If you are like me, or any teacher or professional these days, you need a computer and you need Google to navigate resources on the internet. Students love western shows, music and games. Google is going to make your life a lot easier.
Check to see if your last university offers one (mine did) or use Strong VPN, I’ve heard it’s good.
4. Make friends…outside of teaching
Like teaching back home, but even more so in China, work can dominate your life and when your only friends are teacher or workers at your school, then guess what you will talk about? My advice, join a rec team, sports league, or hey - join a drinking team and become regular at your local watering hole, or c-store - you will need it.
5. Have fun
Sounds corny but unless you plan on spending your entire career here, this will be one of the most memorable times of your life. Whether you are a new teacher or experienced teacher, these years will no doubt have some amazing times. Whether you’re here for travel, or paying off your student loans or mortgage, China will give you its best as long as you let it.
Yes there is noise, air and almost every other kind of pollution, but you are in a country that’s in a critical time in its history. The rapid development and migration of peoples is extraordinary and if you greet it with open in arms you will be well received.
// To see more from our 5 Thing series, click here.
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