Job Discussion Forums

[blake]

I'm keen to check out sichuan province to teach. I haven't been to china, but have had 2 years in korea in a big city, and am looking for a semi-rural area. I haven't seen a lot of positions posted for this province apart from a few in Chengdu. Can anyone help me out with links or info..if you've been there. e.g. yibin city?

I've looked through eslcafe and most of the other major esl sites.

thanks for any info.

[lionheartuk]

I was in Yibin for one teaching year and although the school was a good school the city leaves a lot to be desired. It is quite polluted. I was ill three times while working there due to the pollution and one teacher suffered constantly from hay fever related illnesses. It is also a noisy city, has very little in the way of entertainment and the transport links are not that good. There is no western type food although I do believe a Walmart is due to open there soon if it has not already done so. - Anyway the Sichuan food is quite good-

Yibin University is a decent place to teach at as is number 1 high school and a few of the junior schools.
I must say I liked my time there and would go back if the opportunity arose but then my immune system would have to improve a lot as well to cope with the poor air quality.

[chengdude]

[Super Mario]

Here's some:
http://www.chinatefl.com/sichuan/index.asp
As a tourist, I quite liked Leshan. Chengdu is great.

[blake]

thanks ev'body, will take a look.

[7969]

i spent some time in panzhihua this spring festival. great weather and the city (despite the number of factories ringing the place) was quite clean. looks like a nice place if you like a good workout on a bicycle too.

sichuan is definitely a nice place to live.

7969

[atruelove]

I'm currently working in Chengdu. It's a great city! Funny, I didn't even try to end up here. I just did. I guess that doesn't really help you though. My school will probably be hiring in 6 months when I leave.

[kittywow]

I'm more familiar with Sichuan north of Chengdu, and I can say that the opportunities for travel can make it worth your while, if that's your thing. You'll hear complaints from both Chinese and foreigners about the dialect but I never really had much of a problem while using even fledgling Mandarin as most people understand it and speak it as well.
I taught in Mianyang which was ok but not really too exciting, the towns north of there get pretty small and isolated but definitely worth travelling to tho.
Oh and the food, if you can handle it they like to sneak/drown more dishes that you could imagine in chili oil. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal but some people physically can't handle that kind of shock and never get used to it.
Beautiful, mountainous, tons of incredible things to see, and an atmosphere rich in culture and history.
Good luck!

[7969]

regarding the spicy food, i loved it while i was there. altho some dishes were too hot for me to eat......