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Minhang Oz
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 610
Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin
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 Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 8:00 am Post subject: |
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| I didn't even choose China first time here. I'd chosen to work with an aid agency and have a couple of years away from my "real" job. They were talking about me writing course materials at a Thai uni, or in Fiji. The only countries I'd ruled out were strict Muslim ones. But I got a surprise when I was offered China. Didn't take long to make up my mind though, and obviously have no regrets. |
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whitjohn
Joined: 27 Feb 2003
Posts: 124
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 9:36 am Post subject: |
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I'm another one who loves this wonderful country and it's people! I am in my later years and have been many places in the world. I find the Chinese people to be friendly and helpful. I love the women and the food. The culture is great and there are many places of interest near where I live. I've had two short trips and enjoyed both.
The spitting doesn't bother me...I don't mind being stared at...I stare at the beautiful girls.
China will be a leader in the next 20 years (much more than Australia will ever be). It's exciting, never a dull moment and downright wonderful. My pay is good because I'm smart enough to find the money! |
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Wolf
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 1245
Location: Middle Earth
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 10:08 am Post subject: |
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| kimo wrote: |
Klamm, some interesting reading. However, my experience differs on two points.
1. I loved Japan. And so far, I think China's just great too.
2. Your statement that those who don't speak Chinese, "definitely" don't read it is not correct. "Probably" would probably be more accurate. When I came here from Japan I had an instant reading vocabulary. A few years on and my reading skill still outpaces my speaking ability (a lot of self study will do that to you). I think Wolf and few others can relate to this. |
Indeed. I impressed my students with the words for "horse and cart" just the other day (although those characters are easy.) The first time I went to pay my phone bill, I just wrote down "telephone number: **** - ***" on a piece of paper and handed it to them. The person at the coutner was pretty impressed. One of my favorite games to play with people who ridicule my woeful Mandarin is to choose a sign/text and random, and hash out its basic meaning. 
My experiences in both countries are too different to compare. I lived in a big city in Japan and worked for a private company. I live in a small community now and work for a public university. I disliked the private schools and I dislike the countryside. I disliked paying off debts in Japan and I dislike needing to spend all my money on education here. Finally, I disliked how hard it was to make friends in Japan, and I dislike my rock-star like status here.
I'd like to have a "second chance" at China, but I'm not sure where I'll go after my contract is over.... |
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KateCee
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 72
Location: China....no more.
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| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2003 11:28 am Post subject: |
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| I was keen on Japan at first, but did not fancy the idea of working in an eikawa. I dropped Taiwan after a brief unpalatable experience (the fact that I'm of Indian origin didn't gel with the school I was interviewed by; they thought I was British during our tel. conversation). China was my last resort because of the comparitively lower wages, but was still on my list because of the 3 months of vacation a year. Beats the 3 weeks in Canada hands down! Can't say if I would or would not have been happier in Japan or Taiwan, but I'm very happy here in China right now. |
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Glen 2003
Joined: 02 Sep 2003
Posts: 50
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2003 4:02 am Post subject: |
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| What Jen says about saving U.S.$2,000 a month is quite possible if you are bright and hard working. |
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Freaky Deaky
Joined: 13 Feb 2003
Posts: 309
Location: In Jen's kitchen
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2003 5:01 am Post subject: |
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^ Are you her brother?? You've got the same family name...
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Glen 2003
Joined: 02 Sep 2003
Posts: 50
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2003 6:26 am Post subject: |
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| In no way am I related to Jen 2003.I wanted my user name to be just "Glen",but that name was taken.Thus I added "2003" to Glen.The only thing I have in common with Jen 2003 is we're both from America.If you wonder about me,I live in Beijing.I have been in Asia for eight years,the last four in China |
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Guest
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| Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2003 12:05 am Post subject: |
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Speaking as a newbie (only 4 months) I find China fascinating and the people very honest and friendly. One local shopkeeper actually chased me down to the street insisting I take back the 10 yuan I had given her as I thought she had not charged me enough. The worst thing about it is she caught me - and she would be in her 70's and I am 56! The chinese have to be fit - all the rice, all the bloody stairs and the bike riding everywhere.
Taxi drivers will rarely take a tip and this is a big change after coming from Vietnam let me tell you.
Yesterday, I bough some lollies in a local market to take to the Orphanage tomorrow (which I do every week and the Shopkeeper knows this due to a newspaper article about me) and he overcharged me 20 yuan. I did not say anything to her but I told myself that I would buy the lollies elsewhere next time. Anyway, I had nearly walked back to the School when she came riding up on her bike and handed me the 20 yuan!
She does not speak any English of course, nobody here does as it is not a tourist area. I was so surprised. I think the Chinese are VERY HONEST and also quite friendly. I know all the local shopkeepers now as I refuse to shop at the large Supermarkets and would prefer to support the locals. As I plan to be here for a couple of years at least, I should be very well know at the end of my time here.
I have been to Thailand,. Malaysia, Singapore etc. numerous times on holidays over the years and I like them all - for varying reasons, but even though China had never appealed to me before, I felt at home the minute I stepped foot in China and now have no desire to leave. I like it more and more every week. |
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Atlas
Joined: 09 Jun 2003
Posts: 662
Location: By-the-Sea PRC
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| Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2003 3:02 am Post subject: |
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| Diletante wrote: |
But the reality is, a lot of people teaching in China are doing it expressly so that they can be in China. Teaching is a means to an ends. A small minority of hardcore TEFL types get all whiney and defensive about 'unqualified' amateurs taking working vacations. So what? Some might not like to admit it, but teaching isn't rocket science. A lot of people can do it, especially at the levels asked of us by many 'schools'. More training doesn't necessarily confer more relevant skill.
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It really depends on your situation and your students. Some students are really quite practiced in their English ability, and actually get the point made by the materials. Other students, maybe the majority of teenagers, are more practiced in scribbling hastily from their friends' notebooks, and, despite years and years of "study", are utterly mystified by the simplest questions. (For example "where is your book?")
Some of my students are around 18, have studied Englsih for 5-8 years, and have clearly been floated through the system with no real teaching and learning going on. So my point is this: while at this stage it would seem that a genuine western teacher is warranted, in actuality there is little point. Many students still haven't learned basic concepts such as "it is bad to fail the exam", and, "hey, who is that guy up front who keeps talking to us?" Half the time it's not knowledge, but utterly ridiculous basic concepts being taught. These kids learn the same english year after year in a stultifying repetetive cycle, and one often doesn't need a master's to address them. SO no, I dont blame any person who wants to come and start a new career. Because sometimes teaching is hard. China will throw you in fast and teach you the other side of education: classroom management.
That said, I love my job, and that's why I am here! Also, my degree is in psychology, particularly social, with a heavy load of sociology thrown in, and I'm a freaking kid in a candy store in shanghai. |
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