Interview with Amaju Ogun, State School teacher in Zhengzhou 2016-17

1. What made you decide that you wanted to apply to Teach English In China?

I was initially introduced to Teach English In China through a friend and after doing further research I felt that this would be the right company to go with. 

I was especially impressed with Teach English in China’s YouTube channel, as I was able to watch videos of English teachers who were already in China and this gave me a great insight of what to expect. The channel left me feeling well informed and prepared.

2. What age group do you teach and what are the pros and cons of teaching this age group?

I teach kindergarten ages 3-5 and the benefit of teaching this age group is that you really get back what you give! If you take a fun-filled enthusiastic approach to teaching your lessons, you can be guaranteed to have a class that will reflect this. My age group had no prior knowledge of English before I started teaching them, so I have found singing songs with lots of actions to be really effective in accelerating their learning speed.

I approach my lessons with a lot of variety to keep my students excited and attentive.  For example, I recently covered the topic ‘body parts’. I started this lesson by singing songs related to the theme e.g. head shoulders knees and toes’. I then followed this with a flashcard activity where I involved every single student as much as possible. Interaction with this age group is a vital ingredient in fully grasping their attention. I then concluded the lesson with a review and a story/ film on the topic (the YouTube channel ‘wow TV’ has been a tremendous source in finding videos that would support a given theme).

The disadvantage of this age group is their short attention span and the only way to tackle this is by consistently taking a very animated energised persona to your lessons which can be very exhausting at times and always going to lessons with a number of possible activities prepared. This age group can be tricky at times and it is inevitable that you will face days where an activity will not work, so its always best to have a back-up.

3. How does living like a local in China compare to the likes of visiting somewhere on holiday?

As a local I have found it important to learn key phrases in Chinese to get me by, also having the Google translator app has been my saviour when I’m having difficulties in communicating. In my city there are a number of market stalls where the products/items do not have a fixed price, so this has naturally allowed me to master the art of bargaining. I’ve been amazed at how much I’ve been able to haggle prices down to. Also, as a foreigner its good to have a general idea of the cost of things, an example would be knowing the cost of your taxi journey ‘around your area’. As a foreigner in china, you are more vulnerable to cheats, who will try and take advantage by overcharging, so its helpful to get a Chinese friend who can run you through the cost of things that do not have a visible price.

Overall to live successfully as a local you will need to adapt to your new way of life, as this will provide a more enriching experience and will give you a deeper sense of Chinese culture.

4. Who is the most memorable person you have met during your placement?

On my plane journey, I was fortunate enough to be seated next to a lovely lady by the name of Tong Fei, who also happened to be a local of the city I was due to teach in. Throughout my experience in China, Tong- Fei, along with many other Chinese friends have gone above and beyond to ensure that my experience here, has been a pleasurable one. I have noticed that that the Chinese people in my city, (Zhengzhou) are always eager to make foreign friends and they tend to go the extra mile to make China feel like your second home. I was recently invited to a friend’s house and I was amazed to discover that she had prepared a feast with a number of dishes just for me. Chinese people deeply treasure relationships with family and friends and this is made evident by the numerous social gatherings that happen quite often. So, I recommend being open to making Chinese friends, as this will make the experience more rewarding. Furthermore, having Chinese friends has given me a more authentic view of China as I have been able to see a number of places that I may not have visited otherwise.

5. What have you gained from the experience and how do you think this will help you in the future?

After I complete my contract I plan on returning to the UK to pursue a career in marketing. Through my experience in China, I have been able to acquire a number of skills that I know will be transferable within this field e.g. communication, adaptability, and flexibility to name a few.

One key area that probably stands out the most is the power of taking an enthusiastic approach to everything (or at least try to!), even with little things like greeting others. A great attitude has meant more friendships, a smoother experience and ultimately this has been a major contributor in making my experience a pleasant one.

There’s a greater sense of boldness that this experience in China has cultivated. Due to my day-to-day experiences of meeting and overcoming challenges, I have naturally built up stronger characteristics that have shaped me into a person with a greater level of assurance. There have been numerous times where I have had to deliver an impromptu speech at meetings to promote our school, which has consequently enhanced my public speaking skills and my ability to speak off the cuff.

6. What would you say to someone who is considering to apply for Teach English In China?

Go for it! There are truly no words to perfectly articulate the benefits of teaching and living in China. You enter a culture that is the polar opposite of your own and by overcoming this major hurdle, you have a greater appetite to embark on and accomplish more challenges in life that will mould and shape you into a better human being. Furthermore, your mind starts to broaden which has been life altering for me.


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