Where in China ?? - ESL Teaching

soo · Sat 13-Oct-07, 01:15 PM

Hi to everyone

. Firstly i must say it is great to see so much useful information put out for all to see. I am just starting out on my ESL adventure and would like to teach in China. My problem is it is such a beautiful country, i'm not sure which area i should go to. I would really appreciate any comments about prefered provinces and ciities, towns etc. Also any recommendations on schools or even the places with the best wages. Basically anything that will help me decide where to go. I am very confused. Thanks

soo · Sun 14-Oct-07, 08:52 AM

ok maybe i should narrow it down or something

Maybe somewhere thats not extremely cold in winter....I dont know

C'mon. I know some of you must have experienced the same problem at first and many of you have travelled China extensivley. PLEASE. At the moment i'm looking at provinces and towns everywhere trying to find one that stands out for some reason.

BBrian · Sun 14-Oct-07, 11:45 PM

Do you prefer cities or rural areas? I'm sure you are aware that the further rural you go, the lower will be your pay. But then again, so will be your cost of living.

Unfortunately you cannot get the best of both worlds. If you teach in Guangzhou (in the south), you can expect mild winters, but very hot summers. If you head to the north such as in Beijing, then you can expect arctic winters and lovely summers of around 30 degrees celsius.

soo · Mon 15-Oct-07, 03:44 PM

Hi mate, thanks for your reply

It's interesting you mention "Guangzhou" I have been talking on the internet to someone who lives in the Fujian province and he also talks of "Guangzhou". Maybe thats a sign

.
I come from Western Australia so i guess the southern provinces would be most similar to the climate i am already used to?

You mention about teaching either in a city or more rural. What is city life like in China ? I guess i would ideally prefer somewhere just outside of a city, but not too far out. I guess the other thing i have to consider is that this will be my first teaching position. Does that make any difference to my planned location as far as fitting in to the community, money, schools with a good reputation for looking after new teachers etc?

I am not just doing this to fund some travel. I am really serious about teaching and earning an income. I am so excited about going to China and doing this. I love to learn languages, i think it is a really great thing for the mind and spirit and the thought of being able to teach others my language in such a country as China is very exciting indeed.
Thanks again for your reply

waixingren · Mon 15-Oct-07, 05:13 PM

I've been here in Shenzhen for two years. The winters are very mild and the summers are awful. I wouldn't really recommend it unless you have a good reason to be here (i.e. family, business). It's only real advantages are money and proximity to Hong Kong and Macau.

You might want to check out Chengdu. Not sure how winter is there, but it's a nice city with some great places nearby for holidays. You just have to learn the Sichuan dialect to really get around.

Depending on your qualifications (degree, since you haven't taught before), you might want to consider a job at an international school.

City life is good and bad in China... you have more Western comforts in the major cities (such as coffee, cheese, non-Chinese food). But you also get plenty more headaches (huge crowds, traffic, pollution). Part of it depends on what you're willing to miss out on by living outside the cities.

gfell · Mon 15-Oct-07, 07:36 PM

If you're a newbie teacher going overseas for the first time, I would strongly strongly suggest getting a job in a school where there are other foreigners teaching, or in a city / town with a healthy expat community around you.

My first time abroad was at 18 when I headed to Japan. I went to a smalll country town and it was a nightmare - the culture shock was too much.

Don't distance yourself too much from other foreigners. You will need their friendship to get you by.

soo · Mon 15-Oct-07, 08:02 PM

Thanks for the advice guys

I will take all this into consideration..I'm wondering if anyone has taught or spent time in the Liaoning province?There is something i like about it, plus it is not that far from Beijing (depending where in the province you go)

Sat 13-Oct-07, 01:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
soo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Occupation: Work in progress Location: Posts: 11	Where in China ?? Hi to everyone. Firstly i must say it is great to see so much useful information put out for all to see. I am just starting out on my ESL adventure and would like to teach in China. My problem is it is such a beautiful country, i'm not sure which area i should go to. I would really appreciate any comments about prefered provinces and ciities, towns etc. Also any recommendations on schools or even the places with the best wages. Basically anything that will help me decide where to go. I am very confused. Thanks

Sun 14-Oct-07, 08:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
soo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Occupation: Work in progress Location: Posts: 11	Re: Where in China ?? ok maybe i should narrow it down or somethingMaybe somewhere thats not extremely cold in winter....I dont knowC'mon. I know some of you must have experienced the same problem at first and many of you have travelled China extensivley. PLEASE. At the moment i'm looking at provinces and towns everywhere trying to find one that stands out for some reason.

Sun 14-Oct-07, 11:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
BBrian Wannabe Guru Join Date: Oct 2006 Occupation: Sales Location: Posts: 45	Re: Where in China ?? Do you prefer cities or rural areas? I'm sure you are aware that the further rural you go, the lower will be your pay. But then again, so will be your cost of living. Unfortunately you cannot get the best of both worlds. If you teach in Guangzhou (in the south), you can expect mild winters, but very hot summers. If you head to the north such as in Beijing, then you can expect arctic winters and lovely summers of around 30 degrees celsius.

Mon 15-Oct-07, 03:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
soo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Occupation: Work in progress Location: Posts: 11	Re: Where in China ?? Hi mate, thanks for your reply It's interesting you mention "Guangzhou" I have been talking on the internet to someone who lives in the Fujian province and he also talks of "Guangzhou". Maybe thats a sign . I come from Western Australia so i guess the southern provinces would be most similar to the climate i am already used to? You mention about teaching either in a city or more rural. What is city life like in China ? I guess i would ideally prefer somewhere just outside of a city, but not too far out. I guess the other thing i have to consider is that this will be my first teaching position. Does that make any difference to my planned location as far as fitting in to the community, money, schools with a good reputation for looking after new teachers etc? I am not just doing this to fund some travel. I am really serious about teaching and earning an income. I am so excited about going to China and doing this. I love to learn languages, i think it is a really great thing for the mind and spirit and the thought of being able to teach others my language in such a country as China is very exciting indeed. Thanks again for your reply Last edited by gfell; Mon 15-Oct-07 at 06:46 PM.

Mon 15-Oct-07, 05:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
waixingren Guru Join Date: Jun 2007 Occupation: Teacher Location: Posts: 53	Re: Where in China ?? I've been here in Shenzhen for two years. The winters are very mild and the summers are awful. I wouldn't really recommend it unless you have a good reason to be here (i.e. family, business). It's only real advantages are money and proximity to Hong Kong and Macau. You might want to check out Chengdu. Not sure how winter is there, but it's a nice city with some great places nearby for holidays. You just have to learn the Sichuan dialect to really get around. Depending on your qualifications (degree, since you haven't taught before), you might want to consider a job at an international school. City life is good and bad in China... you have more Western comforts in the major cities (such as coffee, cheese, non-Chinese food). But you also get plenty more headaches (huge crowds, traffic, pollution). Part of it depends on what you're willing to miss out on by living outside the cities. __________________ I am the Waiguoren Critic of South China My Travel Photos

Mon 15-Oct-07, 07:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
gfell Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Nationality: Australian Occupation: Educator Location: Posts: 656	Re: Where in China ?? If you're a newbie teacher going overseas for the first time, I would strongly strongly suggest getting a job in a school where there are other foreigners teaching, or in a city / town with a healthy expat community around you. My first time abroad was at 18 when I headed to Japan. I went to a smalll country town and it was a nightmare - the culture shock was too much. Don't distance yourself too much from other foreigners. You will need their friendship to get you by. __________________ English Teacher and Student Site Teach English and Study Abroad! Teaching Community at Teacher Forums ESL Teacher and Student Directory!

Mon 15-Oct-07, 08:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
soo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Occupation: Work in progress Location: Posts: 11	Re: Where in China ?? Thanks for the advice guys I will take all this into consideration..I'm wondering if anyone has taught or spent time in the Liaoning province?There is something i like about it, plus it is not that far from Beijing (depending where in the province you go)

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