Joanna Bell

Joanna

My story
I’d always thought about teaching English in China and in February 2009 through Teach English in China I finally got there. Deciding to do it turned out to be the easy bit; I was overwhelmed by the amount of companies offering to help me teach in China. On top of that, cost was a major limiting factor; I was saving money but seemingly not enough for the hundreds and even thousands of pounds some companies were charging. I didn’t want to pay so much, but also didn’t want to arrange everything myself – this was my first teaching job, first time abroad and taking a plane by myself! I needed the back up of a UK organisation.
Teach English in China was one of the first companies I contacted and I was impressed by the personal service given. Because it is a smaller, specialised company, I felt I had a more personal service. Arnold arranged a brief telephone interview which I thought was very professional and beneficial for both sides. Once a prospective job was found, I had a Skype interview with Phoebe in Beijing who worked for an educational company. From then on it was full steam ahead getting all the paperwork for visas and booking my flight! And a pre-departure meeting in London with others going out there which was again helpful and made it all seem real! The paperwork was one of the most stressful parts, but mainly because I left everything until the last minute. Do get the right visa, and in plenty of time! Then the countdown started until my flight to Beijing.
From the moment I arrived at the airport Phoebe and her team looked after me, getting me to my apartment, registering me at the police station and setting me up with a bank account and buying basic household items. I taught in an aviation and hospitality college for 6 months, and after that decided I hadn’t had enough of China, so signed a new one year contract with a junior school in Beijing. In the holidays I travelled to different provinces, Harbin, Shenzen, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Nanjing.
Going to China to teach English was the scariest and best experience of my life; I’m so glad I did it. The experiences, sights, people, culture, everything was new and I learnt so much. It really was the experience of a lifetime. Living and working in China is the best way to really know about the country and its people. When I got home it gave me a talking point in interviews – employers were genuinely impressed with me travelling and working abroad. It definitely got me one job as it set me apart from the crowd and demonstrated independence and resourcefulness.

Benefits of using Teach English in China
– You will have the support of a UK organisation to help you find a job, get a visa, etc. They will in turn put you in the care of a Chinese organisation/contact to support you.
– Smaller organisation = more personal service, someone on the end of the phone whenever you have a problem or question.
– The program cost is very reasonable. I was shocked some gap year and ‘volunteering’ companies would charge you the best part of £1000 for their services, and then give you a low wage when you’re working!

Tips before you go
– Accept that is a big decision – you are flying halfway round the world to live and work, it’s going to be scary! Once you decide to go ahead just do it, and plan and save like mad.
– Taking a TEFL course is highly recommended – I’d say essential; after all, you are being paid to teach, so you want to be as professional as you can. This will also boost your confidence when faced with your first class.
– There are so many types of schools so think about whether you’d prefer to teach toddlers, middle schools, uni students or anyone in between!
– Learn a bit of Chinese language and etiquette – plenty of places do evening classes in Mandarin now and it will give you a head start.
– You will want to have a decent amount of money saved for your first month without pay, so don’t leave yourself short.

When you’re there
– Accept help when offered and say yes to every offer of an outing. Students and colleagues will want to be your friend so give them your phone number and get out and about with them! I spent two weeks in Gansu province at one of my student’s homes, and spent New Year with a teacher and her family in her hometown in the north east. With your new friends you will learn more and go more places than you ever could on your own. (Not to mention try the tastiest and most authentic food).
– Be the best teacher you can be – go to a Chinese English class and see how they do it. Always leave time for planning and give it your best effort. If the students are active and having fun they’re probably learning too.
– You will have days when things aren’t going right, everything’s too confusing and you’re tired from not knowing where you’re going but keep your temper and it will pass. Take some time out for yourself, skype home or meet up with one of your new friends. Your time in China will pass sooner than you think.
– The times you are lonely or lost will be memorable as you make your own way.
– Scams are pretty common and you will probably get ripped off at some point but read up and stick with your Chinese friends, especially in the beginning while you’re finding your feet. It’s not the end of the world to lose a few kwai, just don’t lose your temper and your face!
– It’s easy to fritter away your wage on Western fast food and clothes from the swanky shopping malls but try and save it for travelling. You will appreciate it when looking for a cheap place to stay in Hong Kong or buying souvenirs at the end of your trip. Take a tip from your Chinese colleagues who probably have half or less than your wage – shop in the cheap shopping markets, take the bus or subway and be a regular eater of street food. It’s called authentic – remember that when you’re squashed on a bus.
– Use your time off well – you won’t look back on time sat in your apartment so book a train in the holidays or take a bus at the weekend. Make that first scary step and see where it leads you.
– China is a great base for exploring the rest of Asia – make the most of it! (Did I mention save your wages?)
– The scariest times out there will probably be your best memories. When you’re the only foreigner at a huge crowded train station, you will feel nervous and unsure but you will reach your destination. It will push your confidence and independence to the limit.
– Take a chance – take up an offer of a shopping trip or day out to see some attraction, forget your inhibitions when invited to the bathhouse, get on the bus for the first time when you’re not sure where you’re going, ask someone for help.

My memories from China
– Making friends with Chinese teachers, other foreign teachers and my students, seeing their lives and still being in touch with them today.
– Catching a train by myself from Beijing to Harbin – the journey was 16 hours and the only seat I could get was hard seat in third class. I just remember the man opposite me sharing his sunflower seeds with me. Then how happy I was to get to my hotel after chatting to the friendly taxi driver.
– The food, especially street snacks – try every kind and the specialities of that region.
– Friendly strangers, especially taxi and rickshaw drivers
– Cooking instant noodles in the dormitory with Chinese teachers
– The achievement of travelling somewhere by myself

UPDATE!
In 2012 I returned to Beijing to teach in an international school. As well as meeting with friends old and new and meeting new students, I had kept in touch with a Chinese guy…well in December 2012 we got married! So going to China really did change my life.
Now we are living in London and I am trying to start up an online fashion business using my Chinese contacts. The thought of regular travel to China and beyond makes me really happy.

By Joanna Bell