Job Discussion Forums

lilbecky · Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 12 Location: sunderland, england

hello people,

I'm a newbie looking for some advice please. i'm applying to organisations to teach english in China, and hopefully will be going by next Feb. I've been advised to have a think about where I would like to be posted. However, as a total newbie I have no idea where to start as obviously China is so large. All the websites I have found are more for tourists who are spending a short time in China and are oriented to Beijing and Shanghai. I am drawn to a city, however have been advised on a earlier posting to broaden my search from these two places.

I do feel like I can't see the woods for the trees, as there are so many places! i know to some of you this may seem a little silly but I would love some advice on how/where to research and how to narrow your choice, and what things to think about in your choice. (I'm indecisive, it's taken me almost a year to narrow my choice of country down to China!!!)
For example, is reading a book like the lonely planet China a good idea.

i am drawn to cities, and doing this for the first time I would like a place where there are other western people doing the same sort of thing as me, but it is not important to me to have a totally westernised lifestyle such as western resturants. sightseeing/travel opportunities are important, whereas only getting a high salary is not. weather.......I would prefer milder/warm weather, but i could put up with relatively cold winters if i knew there was a promise of a nice summer after!

anyone got any places to recommend or any advice for me?!

thanks

rocknroll · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

I would suggest mid size cities where you have some good facilities, ability to see and hang out with westerners.China is too big to pin point perticular one city.

If you are looking for mild weather choose southern cities and if you don't want to see much of woods or trees then choose east coast. Near to sea. Normally there are some good jobs there.

Yes reading books like lonely planet would help and also they have link online. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

Mideatoo · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 4:45 pm Post subject:

If you are hard like a rock, try a village.
If you are blind like a foul, try a small town.
If you are soft like a drink, try a large town.
If you are solid concrete, try a megatown.

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 229 Location: Kyuushuu, Japan

I would suggest Suzhou or Hangzhou...both have a sizable population of foreigners, yet it's not as Westernized as Shanghai is. Also both Suzhou and Hangzhou have a quite a bit to see as far as places of interest.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I can't give you any suggestion, because
- I don't know what you are looking for in China;
- I don't know your background;
- I don't know your special needs;
- I don't know whether you are an asset to any would-be employer.

SimonM · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1835 Location: Toronto, Ontario

Shanxi!

Here is why:

1: It's centrally located.
2: Jobs are plentiful.
3: The pay is often quite good.
3.5: It's pretty cheap to live here.
4: Some of the best food in China. Seriously I went to Henan and most of the food seemed like Shanxi food - the potato - the good flavour.
5: Shanxi people are some of the kindest, most accomodating people in China.
6: Shanxi is basically a province-sized historical monument. It's one of the birthplaces of Han culture, a center of Mao's activities, etc.
7: Beautiful landscapes in the country.

The downside?

It's dirty and there are not as many foreigners as in other provinces. Western commodities are slightly hard to come by. Even Taiyuan has only a small ex-pat community. You can spend a week in Taiyuan and not see one other foreigner.... if you don't look for them.

Still come to Shanxi; I've been here for four months now and I still love it. Smile

Don McChesney · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 656

Lilbecky,
If you can give more idea of your preferences about age groups, travel ideas, qualifications, and expectations, someone will help you.
Read Lonely Planet or Rough Guide to get an idea about China's differences, then hit Google to see about where you think may be suitable, for climate, and other info. LP and RG tend to be a bit out of touch with some things, but at least they both let you know more about this wonderful country, and bring the book with you, it will still be helpful when you travel. "This is China'" Smile

SimonM · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1835 Location: Toronto, Ontario

Regardless of where you go make it a top priority to learn some pu tong. Numbers plus a few phrases... Wa Chu, Du Shao Qien, etc. can come in very handy sometims.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

SimonM · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1835 Location: Toronto, Ontario

My pinyin is very, very poor. Wa Chu was supposed to be "I go" - it works when I say it. Wink

Super Mario · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 7:17 pm Post subject:

Aaah. Wo qu! Wink

SimonM · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1835 Location: Toronto, Ontario

Duei!

That was like... my third guess on spelling. Thanks for the tip.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

I can give you a suggestion, because
- I don't know what you are looking for in China
But I can still try and be helpful by giving you a few ideas...big cities offer the most advantages with a western flair..such as cheese..talking on the phone the other night I was compairn Nacho chips (they Nacho opinion Roger) with a friend..he tried to make his ..I bought mine...the availability of foreign goods may make you life here easier..I stayed in the Northern area for a few years and found it a great surprize anytime I find something I like..such a a Butterfinger...
- I don't know your background
And that really doesnt matter when someone is asking for advice of such a general nature..unless you ask some one who is so self rightous that they cannot conceve of an answer unless you bow and scrape before them as a lowely ESL subject..fi you have a history of travel and living overseas..if now..then if would be wise to read everything, be prepaired and buy none of it..what you read will be someone elses opinion and experiences and likely you will get a lot of misinformation sff this booards from those who wont answer your questions but still dothers us with that refusial..
- I don't know your special needs;
try and take care of any special needs before coming such as medicine..and example of that would be inhalers..sold all over Beijing but rarely found in Changchun...
- I don't know whether you are an asset to any would-be employer.
I am sure you will as much as an asset as any poster on this board as most ESL teachers are not certified and as such are teaching in a position that only requires the mimimum of ability..anyway..the question is what is an employer doing for you..how can he help yu ..get you legal..with a proper visa and such..by helping you to learn the area..so you will know how to survive those first few days..to insure that you have the housing under control..such as hot showers..
Ask as many questions as you can....

clyde · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 52

Just a little tip, rail travel is insanely cheap in china, so pick somewhere central and make plenty of day trips

lilbecky · Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 12 Location: sunderland, england

thanks for the CONSTRUCTIVE advice to whoever answered me here. I have taken what you said into consideration.

I didn't realise I had to disclose my whole life before getting help on this website roger, I thought this was informal chat where people can get help and advice from those with experience rather than being made to feel silly by condescending individuals. Also, I did not realise that one had to be considered an 'asset' by roger before being allowed to converse with others in the chatrooms. so do you oversee all prospective teachers before they are allowed into China to ensure they are going to be an 'asset' to their employer?

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.