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miss nelson
Joined: 22 Apr 2005
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 2:06 am Post subject: EFL in Shanghai - Newbie |
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Hello, all.
I'm more than a bit hesitant to post here, becuase of the unfriendly comments I keep seeing all over the forum. But there is nothing to be gained if no risks are taken, right? Please be kind.
I am a university student studying Early Childhood Education. I am a teaching fellow, which at my school means that I have spent a lot of time in classrooms doing "service learning." Fellows here also attend seminars and the like.
My university's fellowship focuses on ESOL in the classrooms locally. This year, I have been working with Spanish-speaking children from kindergarten through fifth grade. It has been amazing.
So, when the opportunity to go to China to teach was presented to me, I became excited, but also very nervous.
At first, participants were going to teach for 10 days (there were three 10-day sessions). Now, instead, we are going for the entire month.
I met with the study-abroad coordinator today to get more information about the trip, and to pay my deposit; we just have to pay for airfare, but the Chinese are providing housing and meals. Well, she didn't have very much information about what it will be like. Here is what I know:
~We will be teaching conversational English to 10-16 year-old students at Shanghai International Studies University in the month of July.
~Housing and meals will be covered.
~That's about it.
Heh... really, I'm just kind of grasping for threads of information here. I know very little about China, other than what I learned in my Taiji class this year (Shifu had lived in China for about 5 years and he taught us a little bit of culture). I have only been to one country besides USA, and that is the Dominican Republic... I am sure things are quite different in Asia.
Please offer me any information you have regarding the university, the area, cultural norms that may be helpful, teaching tips, and anything I should prepare for. What sorts of things should I bring to wear? What is the food like? How are the Chinese regarding schedules (in the RD, people were very laid-back about schedules and we had to take that into account when planning things)?
Please share your experiences with me, especially if you have been in a similar situation. Thank you! |
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millie
Joined: 29 Oct 2003
Posts: 413
Location: HK
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 3:42 am Post subject: |
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Hello Miss Nelson,
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| I'm more than a bit hesitant to post here, because of the unfriendly comments I keep seeing all over the forum |
Yes, your observations are not surprising, given the interplay of egos and insecurities that are sometimes at work here. A bit unfortunate really but anyway…
The main SISU campus is in the far north of Shanghai. It is not an especially nice area but SISU is an Ok uni.
It will be as hot as hell in July and your high school Ss are on holidays. Thus pressed into this summer camp by mum and dad (who will have paid a little bundle for it) many Ss will be less than highly motivated (pre-intermediate to intermediate) learners so try to make your lessons “fun, fun, fun”. 
Depending on the teaching hours involved, you should be paid upwards of RMB 5 -6,000 per month (plus food and accommodation too.) Not certain that Chinese institutional food would excite anyone but there it is... free
Not sure what level of support your university will be providing but my guess is that this is a nice little money spinner for everyone involved except you.
Nonetheless, it may be a rewarding experience to for you.
No need to feel nervous but perhaps a little excitement. If you are willing to engage with your Ss, I think you will have a good time.
Good luck,
M |
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Chris_Crossley
Joined: 26 Jun 2004
Posts: 1797
Location: Still in the centre of Furnace City, PRC, after eight years!!!
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| Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 4:33 am Post subject: Re: EFL in Shanghai - Newbie |
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| miss nelson wrote: |
| I met with the study-abroad coordinator today to get more information about the trip, and to pay my deposit; we just have to pay for airfare, but the Chinese are providing housing and meals. |
PAY for airfare? To be honest, I would not undertake any teaching abroad, even for the summer, unless the SCHOOL was prepared to pay my airfare.
There must be several private franchised schools in China, EF English First amongst them, who offer short-term contacts for the summer, but do offer free accommodation AND pay for your flight.
I should know, because, two summers ago, we had two Canadians who came to my school in Wuhan and they had their return flights paid for them, even if they worked at the school for only 8 weeks.
It is worth thinking about, really.... |
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