Job Discussion Forums

No Moss · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 1995 Location: Thailand

Could anyone comment about the selection and cost of EFL books in China? Is it better to buy books in Hong Kong, or wait till you get to China?

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

I'm not sure if you mean teacher references,ie, books ABOUT ESL teaching, or student textbooks. I suspect the former; definitely get them in HK - a post on their forum should get you started with some addresses. As for student texts, China is awash with them, and you'll no doubt be provided with what you need. Try to contain your excitement on this though.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Your school normally makes the choice of books. Most of them on the TEFL market in the mainland are of substandards quality though. Some use cheaper versions of Hong Kong-printed books (legal or illegal copies).

Hong Kong does offer the advantage of quality materials from internationally-recognised publishers, some of whom have a branch in HK.
Teaching materials always are better when bought in Hong Kong, but if you want dictionaries or other reference works, you might get them from a Chinese publisher on the mainland at a substantially lower price. Some British publishers have entered into cooperation agreements with mainland Chinese publishers.

And, if you do shop for books in HK, you need to visit distributors in North Point rather than SWINDON (which has some lovely books but not a wide range), PAGE ONE, DYMOCKS.