chinashuebox

Advice Column: Teach/Live In China

106-0648_IMG, originally uploaded by shuebox.

It is not hard to find a job teaching English in China. In fact, I am wary of the increasing on-line advertisments luring teachers, because schools often will take anyone with a bachelor's degree.

There is nothing wrong with taking anyone, but that attests to the desperate need of Chinese schools which often attracts teachers, or shall I say foreigners, with no teaching experience or simply wanting a way out.  I won't knock the 'just anyone' clause, because it enabled me to live comfortably for 4 years in China.  But admittedly, I discovered I enjoy teaching.  So I thought I would offer my vast, huge, long-standing experience, to help those interested in teaching English.

They Just Say They Want To Know Me

The Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, originally uploaded by shuebox.

Last month, I announced to all my students that I would have a "Visit my New Website Contest."  Before you go into how narcissistic that sounds, I can justify this contest.  My students constantly ask me what I am doing and what I do in my free time, it's just easier to have them visit my website to answer all those questions.

Now that I don't teach them, it is even harder to stay in contact.  So I thought they could do me a favor by visit my site and writing a comment on one of the blogs and I would do them a favor by keeping them in the loop on my life.  The first 12 students to post were invited to my house to hang out and watch a movie.  Apparently, I over estimated how many students are actually interested in my life.

Three students have posted a comment (pause)...Out of 250! (now gawk)

Pretty bleak turn out.  And they all were suppose to do this by October 3rd, to coincide with my birthday, but as that day went by, nobody posted.  These three students posted three weeks late.

Falsehoods about Love

The most recent journal assignment has produced some real side slapping humor.  I miminally edited the spelling, but kept the Chinglish.  This one comes from Amber, a sophmore in my writing class, but admittedly, this is a compilation of her classmates and her own insightful interepretations about love.  She writes:

Today, I will not write my journal.  I will write down some interesting falsehood about love.
1.) I will phone you again. (Please wait for 100 years).
2.) Actually I was think of you the moment before. (Yesterday or the day before yesterday).
3.) I'm single. (He can forget that he didn't want to remember).
4.) I will take care of the children, please be at ease. (He can't take care of himself).
5.) This is my sister's child, not mine. (His sister is out of luck).
6.) I will not do it next time. (If dog will not eat dung, you can give him a chance).
7.) My behavior is only for you. (Not for you, just for himself).
8.) I love you. (He is sleeping).

Simply Kunming

Evil munch-skins., originally uploaded by shuebox.

Last minute decisions, whimsical thoughts and living  for the moment has been my theme song for the past three months (arguable for my whole life, but that is a separate matter).  My new direction is Kunming, Yunnan in the southern part of China.  Kunming is dubbed by Chinese to be the "The Eternal Spring City" because the supposed warm weather year-round.

Apple for the Teacher

Rip me off!, originally uploaded by shuebox.

I have had my first four days of teaching and I am completely bushed. My voice is horse, tired and turning into a hermit. I have 6 hours of teaching per day and it is exhausting. I have a wide variety of Beginner level students.

I am extremely frustrated with my Listening-Speaking level 2 (so second lowest English language class, the classes are streamed by level). I don’t want to let the low level sway my expectations of the class, but having students speak up in class is like pulling teeth. Even after I give the answer to my own question, I would ask the students to repeat and all they can say is, "I don't know." It is not just shyness; it is a bit of plain incomprehension. Today, the same class improved because two naughty students didn't come to class.

On of the students from my level 2 class, Elvia, grills me, both with concern and scorn at my lifestyle.  She is English leech, always looking for the opportunity to use English. She monopolizes my time during breaks and walks with me after class in order to continue chatting. Yesterday, she asks me how I buy things in the market without the language. I tell her I speak enough Chinese to buy things. Then she is concerned that I am getting ripped off. I tell her that I may be paying a bit more, but I aware of situations where I am paying too much.

She also asks about where I walk and if I walk with friends. I have no idea where her train of thought was going at first; but I soon realize she wants to escort me to the market to watch me speak. I let her escort me.

Crawling Hot

Home Sweet Home Shanghai, originally uploaded by shuebox.

31 August 2002

Well, I made it safely.  I am jet lagged, tired, hot and sweaty; but thankful to finally be here.  I have had an adventurous three days.  To start off, I moved.  Originally, I gave my address in a suburb of Shanghai called Jia Ding but that campus already had too many teachers, so I moved to the main campus, closer to the heart of downtown.  I will send out the new address as soon as I get it.