Job Discussion Forums

Dalian Veteran · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 7:48 pm Post subject: What type of teacher are you?

In my experience, I've met many teachers from different walks of life and different reasons for coming to China. So, out of curiosity, what brought you to China? Since there were too many entries for a poll, I came up with a long list below. Check it out. And you can select more than one answers if they apply to you. (Some of those on the list sound far out, but believe it or not, there are people who fall into these categories.)

1. I'm a hardcore ESL teacher with a TESL/TEFL certificate.

2. I don't have certification yet, but I'm using this as my in situ experience before I get certification.

3. I love teaching but don't have a certificate. You don't necessarily need a certificate to be a good teacher.

4. I'm an Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, or similar major. I'm come mainly because of my interest in China itself.

5. I'm here to study Chinese.

6. I'm here to travel and explore.

7. I still behave like a college student and like to go out and party.

8. I'm an alcoholic who's here for the cheap beer.

9. I'm a middle-aged divorced man who has mainly come here to look for a young Chinese wife.

10. I'm looking for a relationship with a Chinese girl (or boy), but that's not the only or main reason why I'm here.

11. I'm definitely in it for the chicks. I want to play the Asian field and screw as many hot Chinese babes as I can, even going for prostitutes if necessary.

12. I'm a pervert who likes to look down Chinese girls' low-cut shirts during the summer months. I also like how apartments are so close together where you can peak at Chinese housewives cooking or doing laundry in their underwear. Now I know why so many street vendors sell binoculars. But many Chinese call me "huang se de" (yellow).

13. I'm running away from problems at home and just need to get away.

14. I'm a fugitive of justice who broke the law in my home country. Thank God China doesn't have an extradiction treaty with my country or I'll be doing jail time.

15. I'm divorced and am running away from my ex-wife and/or her attorney and/or wish to avoid paying child support.

16. I'm defaulting my student loans and/or other debts.

17. I'm an old retiree here to enjoy my retirement.

18. I'm giving to charity and wish to contribute to education in China.

19. I'm a peacemaker and hope to build bridges between cultures.

20. I'm a fundamentalist Christian who wants to preach the Bible.

21. I'm here to preach Western values and teach the Chinese to rebel against their Communist government.

22. I'm an undercover human rights activist doing undercover research.

23. I'm affiliated with Falun Gong and/or the Dalai Lama.

24. I'm a spy working for a foreign government or organization.

25. I'm a Marxist and/or Communist who wants out of the Western system I was raised in.

26. I'm doing research on Chinese culture, China's development, etc., etc.

27. I'm mentally unstable and often loose my temper in front of the Chinese staff. Forgot to pack that medication. Darn!

28. To tell you the truth, I have no clue why I came here.

29. "Dude, where am I?"

30. I just need an adventure.

31. I'm a bum in my home country and have come here for economic reasons.

32. Another reason not listed

Morpheus · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 50

Your list is mainly negative. Why did you come to China. What number Question

I pick 24

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

I'm retired but I also have a Certificate in TESL that took me a full academic year.

I enjoy the travel, adventure and cheap beer. There was a noticble improvement in the fluency of my students from beginning to end of semester. Next spring, now with experience, I expect to do better.

Which pidgeon hole do I fit into?

(edited because I didn't use spell check)

Morpheus · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 50

Your list is mainly negative. Why did you come to China. what number Question

I pick 27

Dalian Veteran · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 9:28 pm Post subject:

I forgot to mention myself. As for me, I went to China because of:
#3, 4, 5, 10, & 19.

Also, I should add additional possible reasons for teachers coming to China that I forgot on the initial list:

33. I'm looking for business opportunities in the Chinese market.

34. I'm using this experience to build my resume or CV.

35. This job is a stepping stone to working for a company that does business in China, taking the foreign service exam to work for the State Department/Foreign Ministry of my home country, seeking a position in the U.N. or some other organization, aspiring to become a journalist, etc., etc.

36. I hope to reform the education system in China.

37. Chinese society has really become selfish and I'm here to teach them manners and about community service.

38. I want to become a Buddhist and seek enlightenment.

39. I'm an overseas Chinese who has come to see relatives and/or get in teouch with my roots.

40. I'm a cultural imperialist who wants to make sure English becomes the dominant language of the world.

41. I'm here to adopt a child.

I think that's about it. If you can come up with any additional ones, feel free to begin from number #42. As for me, the additional numbers 34 & 35 apply can be added to my list of reasons.

Glen 2003 · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 50 Location: China

Your list was good for a laugh.

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

In a grey area between #1 and #2.

Count_Fathom · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 92

42. I came on a bet

43. My Chinese take-out was horribly late, so I thought I'd drop by and give'em what for.

44. China? Thought I was in Borra Borra...

45. I have two naughty kids with my estranged wife. I heard about the cool Chinese-torture stuff.

46. Drooling, muttering, spasmodic twitching are frowned upon in my country.

47. I LOVE EGG BALLS! where are they??

Count_Fathom · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 92

48. A while back I was on a serious bender. Had a few pages of script from a Chinese text tattooed on my read-end. Tried to transcribe it onto paper from looking in a mirror, but just didn't have the knack for it and ended up hurting back in the process. Decided I'd come to China to decipher the tattoo and relieve me back pain. Tried to show the customs guy on the way in, and was escorted to holding area where I sit presently. Still hopeful.

49. Used to get beat-up alot. Heard people were smaller in China. They're not that much smaller, I'm a little disappointed.

50. Are you kidding?? Have you SEEN "Enter the Dragon" ?!

Count_Fathom · Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 92

51. Handful of this, handful of that. Chinese pharmacies send me into space, man!

Brendon · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 16 Location: New Zealand

6,11,13,16,29

gmat · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 274 Location: S Korea

Count F,

Very funny, almost choked on a peanut laughing at your list, especially #43

Can't wait to here from Herbie re. this list

cheekygal · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 1987 Location: China, Zhuhai

tried to apply some reasons on me, but it's all HE-related *grin* will take me long to re-SHE-late Smile

-so cheekybabe

The Central Scrutinizer · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 20

60. I've come to read the archives in Harbin to research its history in the 1910's.

61. I've come to learn the Manchurian language, because I already speak and read Mongolian and Chinese fluently.

62. I want to write a book about Australia, but I find I can't think about it while I'm living there.

63. I'm importing killer whales for the aquarium at the zoo.

Morpheus · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 50

64. To meet China forum personalities. Roger and the boys, sorry not too many girl personalities except Jen2003.