My Experience Teaching in China
After working as a Front-End Web Developer for four years straight, it was time to take a break. I was totally burnt out and wanted nothing more than a vacation. I also turned 25 at the time and thought to myself that it was time to being doing the things I’d always wanted. I’d immediately thought of travel but wasn’t interested in the idea of just spending the money without gaining any while being away. One late night I was in the midst of the usual YouTube binge when I saw videos of people living abroad and teaching English. Upon watching these videos, I was more than inspired. I quickly devised a list of placed I wanted to visit, with Tokyo, Japan being at the very top of my list. The more and more I thought of where I wanted to go, I looked online for more information on the certification I needed in order to teach. The Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL, also known as TESOL and/or TEFL) certification allows you to learn not only about the English language in order to teach others, you also gain knowledge on the nuances of the English language, such as grammar and the correct way of utilizing it. Learning how to manage classroom behaviour is another skill you learn, which will definitely prove to be beneficial once you actually begin to teach. Many websites offer the certification course, but I ultimately chose to go with Oxford Seminars as I had only seen good reviews once I did research on them.
Upon receiving the TESL certification, I’d opted to get a specialization in teaching children, in hopes that it would aid in getting a better job. While on the job hunt, I’d received offers from all over the place: Beijing, Singapore, Turkey, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. In the end, I’d opted for a school located in Shantou, China instead, as it is owned by a Canadian and she provided me with all of the information I needed which gave me instant piece of mind. Her school, Power Talk International caters to students 10 - 18, but then takes in students 20+ for summer programs. Once I’d arrived in China for the first time 26 hours later, it was everything I’d imagined it to be — bustling streets, open air markets, and multitudes of seafood.
What I didn’t expect or even think about would be the general public’s reaction to my presence. I immediately drew attention everywhere I went: longing stares and whispers, parents forcing their children to look at me and burn their memory of seeing me into their minds, constantly being asked for pictures with other school kids, parents, and their kids… I had this happen almost every day. Some wouldn’t even ask, they’d just grab me, pull me towards them, and take a picture. People would also take pictures of me without my knowledge, or rub my arms, touch my hair… It was a lot, to say the least. Many likened the experience to that of a celebrity, but I wanted to be treated like nothing of the sort. I did understand why this happened to me, as Shantou, China isn’t really a city that foreigners visit, and the city had just opened its doors to foreigners in the early 00s or so. The people that live there only know of the foreigners they see on TV, and many of them had never met a foreigner in their lives.
Aside from those experiences, I was still able to have a lot of fun. I was constantly surrounded by natural beauty, and hiking trails were always available so I’d go hiking with friends on the weekend. Karaoke or KTV was seemingly the main source of entertainment, so I’d go with colleagues and sing my face off. The food there was amazing: fresh rice noodles, dumplings in Shacha sauce, beef balls, duck, and even the fruits and vegetables were just so fresh and delicious. Whilst being in Shantou for the year, I’d been able to travel to the Fujian province, Hong Kong (Shantou is only five hours away by bus so I visited quite a lot), Nan’ao Island, Chaozhou, Shenzhen, and Tokyo, Japan. Teaching ended up being full of rewards; I enjoyed seeing my students grow in the time we had together — I still even talk with some of them now. I can’t wait to teach again in the future!
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