Job Discussion Forums

[Hattie]

Hi everyone, I'm new here.
I'm 21 and about to finish my BA History at the LSE, and am planning to visit China on a gap-year. I'll arrive in China early in the new year, and would like to teach EFL, as well as obviously travel a little. I'm sure, by reading some previous posts, that some readers may be thinking that I'm mistaken in thinking that I would be able to teach, being young and probably just out for a good time. No. I've taught EFL (in the UK) for 3 summers. I know that I am quite young, but I have always managed to control the classes well. I have been learning putonghua for 2 years, and am planning to do an MA and then a PhD in modern Chinese studies (anthropology and language).
That out of the way- I need some advice. I would like to teach in an area that speaks predominantly putonghua, so that outside of lessons I will be able to practice and improve on what I already know. I don't really want to be in Beijing as I have heard that it is inundated with other EFL teachers. Does any one know of somewhere that sounds suitable? I have been thinking Nanjing... I would prefer not to be in Shanghai as there is far too much english spoken for me to resist the temptation!! Also, it seems more sensible to go to an area where english is not known/taught so well as there, for the students benefit.
On another note, I am extremely pale and my skin can not handle intense sunshine- I know that this sounds petty and vain, but being Celtic, my skin goes a lovely tomato shade in fierce sun.
If anyone could help in any way, or share similar experiences with me, I would be very grateful. I have read widely on all these subjects but there is nothing like first-hand experience.
Thank you very much!

Hattie

[lowes13]

Hello Hattie,

Whatever may or may not be written here you should still come to China for all the reasons you have given yourself. The experience you've gained in the past will certainly be helpful although the China experience is somewhat unique in many ways.
As far as Pu tong hua is concerned your best bet is Bei jing however the province of Hei long jiang, in the far North, is said to be the home of real Pu tong hua. The other cities you mention all speak a local hua as in Nan jing hua but this need not be an issue for you. Within every city, large or small, there are well educated residents who will speak Pu tong hua so just mingle. Look after your skin in the same way as you do in the west and you'll be problem free.
My advice would be to only consider cities of 5,000,000+ unless it's a tourist destination in which case smaller is fine. Get as much info on your choice of cities as possible and only go to the places that attract you rather than taking the first offer because there will be many.

Hope this helps

[Roger]

Even here in Guangdong, schools prominently display signs exhorting everybody to "speak Mandarin" (which you prefer to call "putonghua"); it's a government policy to spread the Peking dialect far and wide, and they have certainly succeeded at it although locals invariably speak local vernacular among themselves - profgvided they can stay that; but in most parts of China you come across migrants and Mandarin is thus given an extra boost.
Nanjing would be an ideal site for many reasons including the fact that is is a very friendly and hospitable place that attracts a lot of international investors and even has an international school for expat kids.
But it tends to be pretty hot and sunny there - think of sub-Saharan temperatures in summer and English humidity!

How about Dalian? Shandong province? Gui8izhou province? The latter is more ideal for your skin type as there is very little sunshine (but others will point out that only a cynic suggestsd Guizhou with its pollution-induced overcast sky).

[Chris_Crossley]

[The Barbarian]

I'd recommend Harbin, you can come and speak putonghua with me anytime!

[Babala]

Hattie,
I am going to second what a couple of other posters have told you and suggest Liaoning or Heilongjiang province. Nanjing is a great city and the local dialect is quite close to standard putonghua (I can understand Nanjing people much easier than most) BUT... Nanjing is considered of the 4 furnaces of China. It is so disgustingly hot in the summer, starting in May. I live about an hour away from Nanjing and every summer I think I'm going die.

[Hattie]

Thank you all so much for your advice, it's been really helpful. I'm thinking Liaoning or Shandong- I asked my Chinese teacher when I last saw him and he said the same thing. He recommended Qingdao or Dalian. I think I'll really start investigating all the possibilities next week/week after as I'm in the middle of my finals at the moment. But- does anyone know whether there is any way of contating schools directly (and cutting out agencies- I'm not sure I trust them!)? To do this I'm guessing I'd need a directory of all schools in China- does this sort of thing exist? As soon as my exams are over I'll have plenty of time to trawl the internet and do research...
Thanks again, much appreciated

[White on Rye]

Getting coherent information about China is hard and even when you feel you have you really have to take it with a pinch of salt. The Chinese education system is a microcosm of greater China - dynamic, complex and in a state of flux. The word 'liminality' is applicable here; meaning that China is stuck between 2 states causing a sort of fun house of mirrors effect in the presence of reality. A list of China must come from a central source therefore you might like to try the Chinese Embassy in London. However, the Chinese embassy in London is a microcosm of...and so on.
It's great that you like China, I agree wholheartedly that the people and culture are fantastic. I am sure that, as a diplomatic foreigner you will be their honoured guest.

[rwillmsen]

If someone tells you you'd love it here, you should try and find out as much about that person as possible before following their advice. You may well find that you have very little in common with them. A very large proportion of people teaching here are much older than you or are here simply because they get lots of attention they wouldn't get at home. Certainly if anyone makes any grand claims about the social life anywhere other than Shanghai and Beijing you should take it with a large grain of salt, as it's quite possible that they have no direct personal experience of the nightlife wherever they are, and are just repeating what they've heard elsewhere.

[sheeba]

You Quote-
'Also, it seems more sensible to go to an area where english is not known/taught so well as there, for the students benefit'

Good luck ! I think it'll be tough for you in an area such as this . I'm living in one now. I can't wait to speak with some normal English speakers to regain my sanity ! I've had bouts of depression here but overall I have come out of this experience a stronger person !

Why would you working in an area like this benefit your students any more than working in a more predominantly foreign speaking area ?

Anyway - I wish you the best !

[Volodiya]

Hattie, what a delightful post from a newbie, seeking info. You laid out your qualifications, interests, and concerns. You posted only to China, further demonstrating your seriousness. Then, you got pertinent information from experienced and generous people, ready to help.

This OP could be a poster child for how to go about getting information that can actually make a difference, and not wasting people's time around the world, like some others have done.

Good luck in your choices, and your time in China.

[Roger]

I have been contacted for the second time in one year by a college in Jilin, Manchuria, over the hiring of 5 FTs. I am positive they are sincere and welcoming; Jilin is a predominantly Mandarin-speaking province. I have been thinking of the OP; if anyone wants to contact that school, PM me! I would be glad to help both sides!

[White on Rye]

OK (job related) Chinese working residents both current and designate...China isnt well organised at all, in fact its superficially off putting in the extreme in that way. The money isn't good in general and the managers are often fools. This is simply about jobs. CHINA is wonderful in the workplace - your colleagues will be great and professional and your classrooms will be challenging and a challenge you must rise to. The air conditioning may or may not exist and in-office Internet access may be erratic. In TEACHING - people are the most important thing. Chinese people are great people - possibly in their character the greatest in the world. Go see for yourself. You will always be paid on time and be surrounded by the most wonderful people youve ever met.

[brsmith15]

Come on in. The water's fine and your attitude and intelligence will go a long way in helping you.

Hey, what's the worst that could happen? OOps. Sorry. You other posters shouldn't answer that one.

[MyraG]

Really its so hot here in Summer that you dont go out of doors in Summer anywhere. I am from the tropics in Australia, I dont burn easily but I swear I never went anywhere but worlk and the pub after dark, it was too dammed hot Anyway the chinese girls have it under control even though they dont burn so do as the Chinese girls do, take a parasol, wear a hat, use sunscreen, they even have arm covers for when they bicycle. I had one girl that wouldnt ride her electric bike in Summer because she didnt want the sun. So do as we Aussies say SLIP (on a shirt) SLOP (on some sunsceen) SLAP(on a hat).

But really hotter is better as you wont be tempted to go out in the sun