What made you decide that you wanted to Teach English in China?
Well after spending a month in South Africa as a football coach with Arsenal’s Community Scheme, it had been my first time staying in another country as more than a tourist. The experience allowed me to immerse myself into the culture and live side by side with the native people.

I knew I wanted to do this again but with a culture even more alien to me. China stuck out to me as they’ve only become open to accommodating foreign people recently so for many it was an unexplored terrain. There are many assumptions and speculations about their culture that not many people have been able to find out for themselves. I thought I would do just that. I also enjoyed working with children as a football coach and wanted to see how I would fare as a teacher as I had thought about it as a career choice. This was the perfect chance to kill two birds with one stone.

What age group did you teach and what are the pros and cons of teaching this age group?
I taught from ages 6-10. The pros definitely lie within their enthusiasm and how eager they are to engage with you. They still have that air of youthful curiosity about them, which comes out in abundance as you being a foreign teacher is interesting to them. You also have your fair share of hilarious moments. With younger children it helps to have an inclusive, kinetic teaching style, which keeps everyone (including yourself) entertained and invested. While you talk to your classes it’s important to stay animated to maintain their attention and interest. Body language is key in any situation with a language barrier but doubly so when working with children.

Their enthusiasm can sometimes overflow, which brings me onto the cons. Attention spans can be lower which can make them harder to keep in line. There is also less room for reasoning as they are still really young. You often have to resort to some kind of punishment on the occasions they get out of hand.

How does living like a local in China compare to visiting on holiday?
It’s a completely different ball game. The quirky novelties you enjoy as a tourist become the norm. I feel like you get treated differently too. As a local who knows the public transport routes and enough Mandarin phrases to get you by, you walk around with a lot more confidence and less wonder. I think the native people pick up on this. Instead of just being part of the spectacle in the tourist areas, more people will want to find out more about you and your stay in China.

What kind of things have you been able to do in China that you wouldn’t have been able to do at home?
Where do I start? Learn Kung Fu from a real master of it. Eat great food for extremely cheap prices (Native and Western). Ride on cosy bullet trains across cities for under a tenner. See pandas. Go to the weddings of people I’ve never met and enjoy their festivities. Use my data on the underground Metro service. Wander into a group on the street and end up dancing in routine with a group of elderly people. And that’s just me. There are plenty of other activities and opportunities that I turned down that would appeal to others.

What have you gained from the experience and how do you think this will help you in the future?
I gained friends from all over the globe. A deeper understanding of Chinese culture. An unflappable confidence in myself to handle myself in any situation life could throw at me. A year’s worth of unforgettable memories. The ability to be more understanding of completely different opinions and learn to acknowledge their thought processes as opposed judging solely on their conclusions. These things will all help me moving forward in terms of how I interact with people or in situations that I may have felt were too much for me previously. Having friends in other countries also helps as I plan on visiting them without having to worry about accommodation. I look forward to that.

 What would you say were the best and most challenging aspects of teaching in China?
One of the best was definitely the relationships you build with the children. Some of them show you unreal amounts of love and it can make your classes a pleasurable experience you look forward to. It makes you want to give the best lessons possible which in turn engages your students more, bringing the best out of everyone. I’ll definitely remember these kids and our memories forever, even if their names escape me at times!

The most challenging was the lax communication with senior staff members. Your schedule can be moved around or a change can made without you being told until the very last minute or when it’s too late. It can get tedious at times but you have to roll with it and remember it’s just how things are done here.

What was your favourite city in China and why? 
I really liked Nanjing. Its rich cultural heritage means there are plenty places of interest to visit e.g. Confucius Temple, Presidential Palace etc. It also has a wealth of top-notch Chinese and Western restaurants to indulge in. Not to mention the vibe is pretty chilled for a big city and there’s quite a bit of greenery. The range in terrain is impressive too. There aren’t many places in the world where a 20-minute metro line can take you from the heart of a city to a mountain surrounded by parks and gardens.

What would you say to someone who is considering taking part in a Teach English In China programme? 
In terms of the teaching I would say don’t put too much pressure on yourself to begin with. You learn more about your classes with time, giving you a better idea of how to tailor each lesson in regards to ability, teaching styles and preferred activities. After a while it will become natural to you. Also, don’t take it too personally if your classes misbehave. It doesn’t reflect on your abilities at all. Kids are temperamental. You can get them at their best one week, then at their very worst the next.

I would say just go for it. Making such a huge leap out of your comfort zone and into a different culture so far from home is always going to be a bit daunting. It’s only natural. You have the chance to broaden your horizons, test a potential career path and develop yourself as a self-reliant, independent being. Don’t pass it up. The fact you’re even reading this is enough to convince me you’re ready.

 


James submitted a fortnightly blog post and picture to summarize his experiences in China on our Facebook. The stories highlight the highs, lows, adventures of teachers in China and are designed to give a little taste of what living and working in China is like. Click here to read it Changzhou Blogger James Prescott-Kerr