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.

Quiet day

After all the hustle and bustle of the last few days and because I have to prepare for a long day tomorrow, I've chosen to stay home today. I also have a rotten cold and I'm trying to get myself better for tomorrow.

I've been working all day on the computer with slight interruptions to answer emails etc. I've sent out several asking things and have had no reply.

I didn't bring an Internet cable with me, but a guy was organised to get me one, and a printer. I like having my own resources printed, and without a printer attached to my laptop it is hard. It all cost more than I thought, but most of it will be reimbursed anyway. I went to cook some bacon for breakfast, but I can't operate the gas stove. I thought if I kept trying I'd gas myself, so I'll try later, and I will venture outside soon as I do have a few things to pick up in readiness for tomorrow.

It is a cool day - around 9 degrees, but I do not feel it here in my cosy apartment. I had a shower in the bathroom but as there is no shower cubicle the whole room is wet, and I have no mop. I have no slippers. I have a long shopping list and it will have to wait until next week, although all the supermarkets are open 24 hours. I just don't trust my sense of direction yet, so will manage somehow.

Somethings I will have to get used to. I have washing machine, (that I cannot operate) and anyway there is no where to hang clothes, I have a wardrobe but no hangers, I have a fry pan but can't cook (until I learn about the gas), and I have a hag of rubbish that I don't know how to get rid of, and so on. All the joys of trying to work out a new country's ways.

I turned on the television last night - there are many many stations - in Korean - but I kept switching and eventually came across The Discovery Channel. What a discovery. The program was all about UFO's and was interesting, but it was just good to hear English!

So far though I am impressed with everything and when I have all my resources (here and for the classroom) I will be happy!

The weather will warm up soon, and I will be glad of the air conditioner maybe, but now it is quite cool.

I will get a meal or two delivered to my apartment tonight - so that I can eat in again, and maybe save some for tomorrow night as I will be quite knackered then. I have not taken many photos yet - next week I'll get out and about.

Indifference about Korea

After offering my services for the position in Korea I have received only a "we'll be in touch" email, and nothing else. Hopefully they have found someone else, as I'm running out of time to change my plans.

I'm somewhat indifferent about it now. Interesting, but sounds like too much hassle.

I met with a friend (the one who recommended me for the Korean position yesterday) and we chatted for a long time about our lives in China and what we were doing back now in Australia. We'd both like to go back.

The challenges of teaching in China

"The devil you know is better than the devil you do not know" was something that I said quite often over the last few months. People had asked me why I had decided to return for a second semester at the college, when I had some challenges with teaching here. "Why not go to another college.?" I had been asked.

The reason simply is that by and large this facility is good to foreign teachers. There are many stories about the difficulties teachers have experienced in other colleges.

"They pay more" I have heard.

In the last few weeks several English teachers that I know have had problems.

One lass who was in the class with me at Teach International went to a college not far from Shanghai. She was so full of excitement about her first posting. She did not tell me the details, but she lasted there less than two weeks. She had no money and could not get another teaching post quickly, so retreated to Australia.

A lady I know had been teaching north of Beijing, and enjoying her life there until other teachers came at the beginning of the semester. Her life was changed around dramatically as one of the male teachers took an unhealthy liking to her, and did not appreciate being rejected. The story is quite sordid and she sought help from the college - who despite knowing what he was doing (the email messages to here were enough to make one's hair curl!!), but the college refused to help her. Often this is because of contracts, and the funds the college has already expended to get the foreign teacher to the school. She had sought all sorts of help, including legal assistance, but has had no choice but to just avoid the man at all opportunities and change her way of life.

Another lady went to northern China, and discovered that they place was rather unsavoury. The places she was teaching were very primitive, and the rosy picture painted before she signed the contract in Australia, certainly did not live up to expectations.

Today I have had a phone call from another English teacher I know who has just been put off - it is a long story and I don't intend to explain it here, but essentially the new "training centre" cannot afford to keep him, and he is suddenly unemployed and finding it difficult to get work for the last part of the semester. As well, despite the fact that the training centre has decided he is not wanted, they are demanding a high fee, because if the fees incurred by them to get him into the school in the first place.

He is in quite a bind - urgently looking for work and very concerned about the pressure he is under and the intimidation.

So, having spent one semester here - I knew what I was dealing with, and I probably would return here again if I have the opportunity. The "devil you know....."

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.

All found and ready to go...............

I've found my passport - it was easy to find when I looked - and I'm waiting for one more reference, but my documentation is all set to go.

I made contact with the college yesterday and it appears I have a little longer before I need to go, which is great. Still - I have a lot to do.

Research, research, research. I have found out that the flight from Brisbane to Singapore is about 8 hours, and there is sometimes a wait at Changi Airport, (so I may have time to go on a tour, or just spend the time in and around the Changi Shops, and later the flight from Changi to Shanghai is 5 hours and 10 minutes. I think there is a 2 hour drive from Shanghai, and someone will be there to meet me. (I hope!)

I have spoken with a lady who has recently returned from the same College and she has been very informative about the school. She is a senior lady, who went alone, and she had no experience travelling outside of Australia before her jaunt to China.

There are a few more questions that I'd like to ask her, so maybe tonight I will contact her again.

In the meantime I am awaiting the offer from the College - and my research on China etc continues.