Job Discussion Forums

[hartlepool]

I am flying to china to study for a TEFL diploma at a lschool in suzhou. they recommend bringing photos and magazines for when i start teaching. has anyone got some good tips on what to bring?

[fitzgud]

A length of rope and a monkey.

[arioch36]

Depends a lot on you.

Magazines, most can't read them. Every class likes to see pictures of you and the family and where you live.

For yourself, if you like to read, bring lots of books. None in China.

If you have some hobby, you might want to bring something about it.

Expectations, leave them behind

[chinaamber]

Magazines are a really useful resource. Great for finding pictures when doing appearances, furniture, sports etc..... Make sure you get a good mix. Probably won't find as many uses for the articles. It is really going to depend on where, who and what level you teach. You may have a fully stocked resource lounge or nothing at all. Magnetic letters and numbers are great for teaching kindergarten, not so for university level.

To be honest, most things can be improvised or found on-line these days. Use the space for personal belongings.

[Anda]

If you are going to work in this game then get used to putting material on SD card (secure digital) as it doesn't take up space when you start to move around. Buy yourself a digital camera when you get here for about 2,000 RMB so you can take local pictures which you will find are better for young kids. Buy one that uses SD cards.

If you need a computer then buy a second hand desk top here for about 1000 RMB here. Bring English software with you if you have it. If you haven't then get copies here in one of the big cities before you move to a small city as you will have little luck in a small city.

You will find that you can live here easily on the wages but buying stuff on a basic salary is not so easy. Be careful of pick pockets when you arrive and keep stuff where they can�t get it. They cut through clothing so take that into consideration.


Lend books here and you will not get them back most of the time. South Korea was much better that way. I have given up lending here and I do like to help my students and Chinese teachers but!

[twelveways]

Would it not be an idea to bring or buy a laptop instead of a desktop computer? Could the laptop be used in lessons?

[therock]

Don't forget to bring along your guitar and clown costume.

[Trish Flurman]

[Lobster]

It would help if you knew what age group you'd be teaching. I'd suggest:

Low-denomination stamps and coins for prizes
Plastic or rubber mini wild and domestic animals, assorted vehicles and fruits and vegetables
Comic Books
Games
Beginners' crossword puzzles and word scrambles
Easy story books

Don't bring any monkeys or singing clowns. Seems we're already overstocked.

RED

"Your sig was a virus, and now it's gone!"

[jeffinflorida]

A taser...

[Anda]

Um, bringing your own laptop? If is a cheap unit then yes, but if it is top end then no as you have a good chance of getting it stolen seeing that you are new to China. Those of us that are here and have learned to be careful and have more stable work and accommodation then an expensive laptop is an ok risk

Computers are more expensive here than in Western countries. Even local brands here are only the same price here as what you can get them overseas.

Windows software is also no cheaper here and hard to get outside of the big cities. Windows copies that work however are about $3 US here.

On local wages you could buy three second hand computers for the price of a new copy of windows. Or to put it another way; if you were a newly graduated Chinese teacher then you have to save for one year to be able to buy a new original copy of windows. Where I work a government teacher starts on 700 RMB a month which is about $100 US a month.