Job Discussion Forums

[shoosh]

Hello everyone.

I am making preparations to go teach somewhere in Asia and I am trying to get some information before I leave.

I would like to ask everyone to remember when you were leaving for the first time. Is there anything you can think of that you would have done differently that may have made your teaching job (or the process in getting a job) easier for you? Maybe you wish you did something differently? Is there anything you wish you would have researched more thoroughly? Are there any lessons that you can share with us noobs that you learned through experience?

You kinda understand what I'm asking? I know there are so many times that I have either began a project or something, I got halfway through doing it and then I think of a few things I would have done differently which would have made it easier for me to complete the task. If there is anyone who can give us noobs some tips that would be awsome. It woul dhelp me in preparing for my future job.

Thanks a million!

Shoosh

[clark.w.griswald]

The fact that you are here posting this questions suggests that you are on the right track to success already. So often we see posts here along the lines of �I have just signed a contract with such-and-such a school. Can anyone tell me if they are legit?� The fact that you are doing your research before you take the next step is great and I believe that this will pay dividends in the end.

Personally I don�t think that I have had any regrets in my decisions here in China. I have had my ups and downs like everybody else, but I am happy with the choices that I have made even though some of these didn�t lead in the direction that I had hoped. This is all part of the experience of being here rather than back home.

I do believe however that researching where you want to be in China, what age group you want to teach, what kind of institution you want to teach in, and finally which particular school you want to teach at, will all help to prepare you for when you get here.

As has been posted on another thread here, ensuring that you have enough money to get you by when you first arrive will also prove to be key in ensuring that you are not put in a bad situation.

Good luck.

[jeffinflorida]

Don't overpack... Just remember that one day you might have to lug all that stuff somewhere... And bring good condoms...

[vikdk]

If someone, like Clark, who never tells us what they are doing in China, writes -

[erinyes]

If your shoe size is over 43uk buy a new pair of shoes that will last the whole trip. Or 2 pare if you like walking.

Most smaller cities only go up to 43, a few select shops my go higher, but have limited styles. My BF is a 48 or 49. He is down to his last pair and they look kinda shabby.

[Steppenwolf]

My advice is that from a jaded traveller who unexpectedly ended up staying put for several years in a foreign place called 'China'.
Here goes:
Come with the lowest expectations you can manage to condense them into, and always be prepared to face a fiasco.

The truth is that here, you will be the foreign body, not your surroundings. You will have to fit in, which means you must leave your oversized western ego and dreams far, far behind you. Superficially, China's cityscapes resemble to an astonishing degree urban environments you are familiar with, but the mentality of natives here will be a major challenge for you, and your mentality will at times be a liability too.

Remember, you come here of your own free will and you can always return to a more familiar background; Chinese only have their own background to retreat - and you have just chosen it as your turf.

In other words: you must be more flexible here than you ever were back home!

[smitten13]

[quote="Steppenwolf"]
Come with the lowest expectations you can manage to condense them into, and always be prepared to face a fiasco.

Come with no expectations. That way you will not be disappointed and occasionally pleasantly surprised

[Ganbei]

Learn how to stir-fry.

[TravellingAround]

I'd have dedicated my time there to learning the language instead of the half-arsed approach I (and many other foreigners) take.

It will serve you well in the long-run....I'm the idiot still playing catch-up!

Dive into your lessons and go out and use them. Culture shock must be reduced by being able to speak (even just a little) with everyone when you go for a stroll.

[clark.w.griswald]

[vikdk]

[Leon Purvis]

Be patient. Keep a good sense of humor.

Remember that you're teaching English as a FOREIGN language.

Give your students the benefit of the doubt, and when you make a blunder, admit to it and then move on. The students are raised from an early age to be mindful of the fact that they are human and therefore, imperfect. Humility will go a long way with the students.

Be ready to change your lesson plans when something isn't working, and ALWAYS have a backup plan.

Don't count on the Foreign Languages Department for anything. Let it surprise you. (You won't be surprised).

[Lute451]

I've been here since September 2006, so not that long.

Things I would have done differently:

I over packed. Research your city to see what is available there. I brought a ton of soap, shampoo, body lotion, etc...just to find that I can get all that stuff here.

Also, plan ahead with your clothing. I brought clothes that I haven't even worn yet. If you are taller/bigger, make sure you have enough shoes/pants/shirts. My boyfriend has to have sweaters hand made for him because we can't find anything big enough for him. I have to wear men's sizes for everything.

I would have brought cooking spices. Taco seasoning, ranch dressing packets, gravy sauces. I can't find them in my home city. I'd have to travel 1.5 hours to a major city to find some of those things (although I still can't find taco seasoning

Bring hand sanitizer and lots of it. Most public bathrooms won't have soap in them. Use it constantly. The only place I've seen hand sanitizer has been in McDonald's.

I didn't bring any English books to read. I thought I would be able to find something here, but no. No English books except the classics.

Be prepared that western food is going to be expensive by chinese standards. Cheese is not usually used here, so its very spendy. Things also taste a bit different. Nestle Ice Cream doesn't taste the same as it does back home.

Be specific with your contract about vacation time and pay. I wasn't as specific as I should have been and now am paying for it a bit. Nothing horrible, just unexpected.

Ask a lot of questions before signing a contract. Make sure the contract is specific about everything. Don't let anyone tell you verbally that something will happen, make sure it's in the contract.

[Itsme]

I would have packed less stuff like shampoo which you find too much of
and more stuff like dental floss which I still have yet to find.

Some say pack less clothes and some say more. I would make sure to pack at least 3-4 pair of GOOD pants and some good shirts (for cold and warm) weather. The clothes that I have bought here fall apart in a matter of months while the clothes I buy in the States lasts years and years.

Shoes- If you have large feet you can still find shoes here but not necessarily on a teacher's budget. I have seen shoes going for 400 RMB at malls. If you look real careful like you can find some decent and simple shoes for 30 RMB.

Basically, pack lightly. Having too much stuff is a big pain, especially when you realize you don't even need any of it.

When you arrive, make sure that you get out and explore A LOT, starting from the second you arrive.

As someone else said, come with NO expectations. Keep an open mind.

[Henry_Cowell]