5 Tips to Consider Before You Come to Teach in China

So, you are thinking about coming to teach in China or you have decided to come to teach in China, or possibly already accepted a job offer. If you have never been to China before, you may have heard some people who said they really loved it and some others possibly sharing horrible memories. Well, here is 5 tips for you before coming to teach in China.

China is a unique place to live, and you need to consider a lot of things before moving. I have been teaching English in China for more than three years, and I would like to share some tips before you come to teach in China.

Adaptation is the Priority

When I first came to China, I worked in a small city called training School, where there were few resources, including the latest textbooks. I was expected to teach students from a book, which I think is outdated and not very helpful to students as an experienced EFL teacher. However, I have no doubt that this book is seen as crucial to helping students take public school exams. Therefore, I have to be creative and find ways to make this book more interesting. The school didn't have a photocopier either, so I had to resign to pay for extra copies of the worksheet myself. Should I often complain to the manager about this? Maybe, but I have to focus on students and proverbs: Rome wasn't built in a day, and things won't change as quickly as I'd hoped. In the long run, my adaptability paid off, and when I left, the managers were happy and asked me to stay.

Teacher Record offers many job positions that are located in very large and small cities alike. At Teacher Record, we have plenty of school members which provide many resources we need to teach our students. And the curriculum of most school members is current and they have a dedicated team that updates the curriculum regularly. And teachers are always invited to training on how to use tools and resources and on how to improve their teaching techniques in the classroom to meet the needs of their students. When choosing your school be sure to ask about the curriculum and maybe even speak with current teachers on staff.

Parents Have the Final Decision

Even if you are in a resource-rich school, it will not stop there. Chinese parents pay great importance to education, and you also need to keep in mind that the school is also a business, and you will be regarded as part of the school. As a new teacher, you may not be used to dealing with parents and find it terrifying. Sometimes parents may question your method, accent, and energy in class. Try not to take it personally, since being far from home can aggravate the situation. Parents are very demanding, which may cause pressure from new teachers. It is important to focus on improving your teaching skills, and with the support of the Teacher Record, you will receive positive support. This will help you slowly and consistently build confidence in communicating with your parents about your children. 

Can You Sing or Dance?

Yes, seriously! You may be asked to perform as a foreigner because it is sometimes assumed that foreigners like singing and dancing, and as a foreigner, you are the one who attracts new students to school. Or, you may be asked to conduct a voluntary marketing campaign that you are not prepared to do. It's easy to feel frustrated and angry at these events. Just try to calmly explain that you can't dance or sing. Or find out another way to make the class interesting. 

THE HONEYMOON IS OVER

So maybe you are in China and you like it very much ... Then, when you reach the upper limit of six months, homesickness comes to your mind. What you used to like about China will not irritate you every day. This is when you need to rethink why you came to China and what you hope to gain from this experience. It’s obviously important to stay in touch with family and friends, but they’re not around you, so you need to find ways to stop complaining about yourself; join the gym and learn a musical instrument, maybe this is when you really start to learn the language. Learning to speak Chinese can help you easily transition into the culture. Think about the holiday in advance and make a plan. What are you going to do? Who do you plan to spend with? Are you going to dress up your apartment as Christmas as possible? Making a plan will help you make the most of your time in China, you will see new places and make new friends!

Intercultural communication

Of course, in a new country, you will navigate the exchanges with the Chinese and the new culture, which may prove difficult. However, don't underestimate the conflict that may occur between you and your non-Chinese international colleagues. Open communication, including listening, is crucial at this point; not only are you abroad, but you must also start learning to accept the professional ethics and social ways of others. What does it matter? You may not only have to work with your foreign colleagues, but you also have to share an apartment with them. For the peace of your soul, for the peace of the teacher's office, for the overall good relationship.

China can be both challenging and charming. It's never what you think, and it's interesting. However, keep in mind that you will face the above challenges, and you will need to learn how to deal with them actively and effectively, which means that you are 90% ready for new adventures.

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