China or Bust

A friend of mine has published her story about teaching in China, calling it "China or Bust."  Christine writes under the name of Lana Kerr.  The book is available on Amazon.

She and I had quite different experiences.  She went with her husband, which is clearly of benefit when taking on living in a strange country where the language is impossible to understand or read when you first arrive.

I went alone, but fortunately my contract was with a university that had a large number of foreign teachers, and some 10 or so from Australia, if my memory serves me right.  At least there were plenty who spoke English, and some had been there for a while.

Christine/Lana also did not appear to live on campus, but had the challenge of living in housing surrounded by other Chinese, and without the support that I had.

She tells the story of going to China, and offers advice and suggestions for people looking at going there.

I am also currently reading Peter Hessler's book "River Town" which details a completely different story of an English Teacher in China.  He went to a city called Fuling, in the Yangtze River Valley, a city on the banks of the river, but so steep that going up and down stairs to shops was the order of the day.  There were no bicycles as it was too steep!!!

Both books are available on Amazon.com.

Lana's book can be found here.

Peter's book can be found here.

Still working on material

I'm still busy putting material together for teaching in Korea. So much work to do - and so little time. It is starting to stress me, but I continue.

The weather has been strange - lots of wind and dust continues and everything everywhere is covered in the fine red dust from central Australia. Much less than Wednesday, but still not worth cleaning up.

We had lunch on the back deck - but the fine red dust took a while to clean off the chairs and tables. Even my laptop is covered in fine dust.

I spoke with my parents today - still have not told them that I am going to Korea. Still it will be only 7 weeks I hope.

We have sent our documents to the Korean Embassy with the application for our Visa. Hopefully we will get them back in plenty of time before we are due to go on Wednesday week.

I miss the grandchildren.

I guess the people I miss most when I travel are the grand children, and when I return it is good to see them again and catch up with them. My, how they grow!!!

We have four now - the eldest is turning 9 on Monday and she is celebrating with some friends from school (it is school holidays) with an Asian themed party. Now the children do have quite a few souvenirs from my travels and I am reminded frequently that I had stated that I would like to take the two older ones to China. I mean it. I'd love to - subject to my bank balance being filled from an unknown source by thousands of dollars. I mean, it would cost me up to $4000 per person, and the two girls want to go, and of course their mother, so I'm up for $16,000 - before the menfolk put their bids in. And the other family - the other two grandchildren will want to go too, so I'm up for big bucks which I just don't have.

Meanwhile we will just have to play at Asian things. Mind you, the order for the birthday cake to be in the shape of a red Chinese dragon, will be a challenge for mother. The guests will get Asian gifts and some food will be Asian inspired, but we are not sure of the inspiration for the requested purple plates, serviettes and so forth, though I will produce some of my purple Chinese souvenirs to convince some people that purple is still popular in China.

I did have tickets in the $90,000,000 Ozlotto draw and was pretty confident, but something went wrong and I didn't get a cent. Still, you've got to be in it to win it they say. And since I only spent $5 on tickets, it was worth the gamble.

Today I attended an Eisteddfod where granddaughter number two performed in her very first competition. Boy, I was proud. I thought she was the best and she probably would have won a high prize but near the end her nerves got the better of her and she missed a few steps. Still, she got a Highly Commended and we were are all proud of her. She has also announced that she was proud of herself, so we have higher hopes for the next three attempts at competition coming up over the next few months.

Still, these are the things that grandmothers should attend. I've missed some great events, and I hope not to miss too many,but with 4 grandchildren there are many events on offer and still I would not be able to attend all - even if I was in the country all the time.

Meanwhile, I'm writing some course material for a TESOL course. I'm kept busy. Dreaming. Writing. Keeping up with the family.

Korea?

I'm not sure if it will happen but I have been asked to consider a short position in Korea starting early in April. MM seems to think it will be OK, but a few hurdles to overcome - some documentation and the fact that I have plans to go to Perth and return via Adelaide, around the same time.

It will be teaching TESOL - interesting, but I know very little about it.

It will be for about 10 weeks, so not terribly long and it does have some appeal. I will have to make up my mind in the next 24 hours or so, so I guess I will know in the next day or so.

Tips for ESL Teachers.

Today I was with another teacher - a Canadian fellow who has been here for several years with his wife. He's really good to have around as he knows so much about the college and China. He has an electric motor scooter and in his spare times travels around on his own to explore and his Chinese language skills are very good too.

We were in the canteen and one of the students came up behind me and said "Hello Lady Di" which is a name that the students are using more and more with me and started talking with us. He was very quick to ask her name. She replied with her English name.

When the young lady had gone, he explained that he and his wife have this arrangement, which could, he said, work when any two or more teachers are together and one or more students approaches them to talk. One of them always asks for the Chinese student's "English name" - it is impossible to remember every student's name - so having someone ask all the time is very helpful. Then it is possible to have a conversation referring to them by name - which is of course more polite, and does help one remember the student's name anyway.

I thought it was a good tip for newer ESL teachers.

How to be a teacher of English in China.

There's no doubt that the teaching of English by "native speakers" of the language is a growing market. I wish I had discovered it a while ago. In fact I had vague information about it - but the timing wasn't right for me.

I would encourage anyone with a good understanding of English grammar, writing and speaking, to consider this option - especially if they are over 50 years of age and looking for a sea change. One that they will get paid to do!

There are many courses in Australia and they vary in length, cost and quality. You need to do some research to see what works for you - in terms of cost, time required to do the course, and what is really offered. You have organisations like Australia City College that offers a good basic course and can find you employment in China very quickly. They are very keen to get more teachers especially for this college. (We have two new ones coming at the end of this week,and another two weeks later, but they do need more!)

There are organisations like Seek Learning and Teach International with courses in Brisbane and other capitals and larger provincial areas. Many courses, or parts of, can be done online. Research.

It is easy to get workin Asia - and not all countries require that you have a university degree. Some do - so do your research. Actually the college you do your Tesol training with will give you information on this.

What a way to see the world! Travel and get paid!

Once you have your qualifications and some experience - you can negotiate directly with some colleges for more money too.

I have a contract of four and a half months, with accomodation and food provided, and I paid a small fee to cover Visa, and airfare. (Good deal really!)

It has only been two weeks - but just like some of the other teachers, they wish they had discovered it earlier. I certainly do.

I'm 'switching off' for a few days

I'm taking the two eldest grandchildren to Adelaide - a good time to tell my parents and my sister that I am going to China to work for a while. I'm not sure of what reaction I will get. My parents are familiar with my cousins spending a lot of time overseas, but not their older daughter. They probably don't think I would do anything like that.

My sister is alone - and would like to travel, so I may be able to talk her into visiting China while I am there, though she may be a bit daunted by travelling alone.

I continue to research living/working in China and have found some good websites and blogsites and have submitted this blog URL to a China Blog List - so maybe some more visitors here.

It will be about four weeks before I go now, I think. I have not received the documents promised last week - but as I will be away for a few days I will cross it off my list of concerns right now.

I'll be back on Friday so hopefully there will be some more information waiting for me.

TESOL Classes

I've attended my first two TESOL Classes at Teach International - two nights from 6 pm to 10 am. And I've got more to go. Tonight 6 to 10 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. I'm going to be a mess on Monday!

As well on Sunday I move out of my house sit.! Pressure!

Last night we learned about the proper documents for applying for postiions at overseas school. My resume or CV which might be good for Australian positions needs updating to cater for overseas readers. That I will do this morning and resubmit.

Each class has been full on. No wasted time. All 19 or so students are enthusiastic and all very well involved in the sessions.

Last night one of the other students and I asked to leave 20 minutes early, so that we could catch a train. To save a long lonely hour wait on the railway station. So we finished quickly, and got ready to run, raced down the stairs and found we were locked in. Myfriend ran upstairs to find someone with the key!

We made a hasty retreat all along George St to the Roma St Railway Station and made it with a few minutes to spare. Phew!

We did get a little homework to do too. Busy days.

A New Adventure

Several years ago I completed a degree at Griffith University - a Ba of Adult and Vocational Teaching (as it turns out majoring in Literacy and Numeracy), and all along I have been interested in teaching English. I did a little literacy tutoring - but my first client was difficult. Seldom turning up, and wasting my time so I gave it up at the time.

Some months ago I started researching Teaching English overseas, and late in the year started a TESOL course. TESOL is Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. I have spent a lot of time researching and feel that I could be well suited to a program of Teaching Medical English to use my nursing knowledge. So I set out to do the course. I have completed some of it on-line, and am currently doing the in-class component of the course at Teach International.

Some time ago when I was speaking with the folk who own the house that I am housesitting while they are overseas, Mr G put me in touch with his sister who works for a college that trains and finds employment for TESOL teachers, and organises work experience and volunteering and cultural exchanges.

I made contact with them advising them that I would be in touch when I had done my studies, but I was surprised to receive an email from them asking me to submit my CV, which I did.
An interview followed and the prospect of employment at a school in Shaoxing, China, was discussed.

Last night I finished the first day of the Teach International in class component of the TESOL Course. During the day I received a phone call and more information about the position in Shaoxing, and I have committed to making a decision and completing the documents by next Tuesday.

This is the start of a new adventure for me. Hence the new blog.