Teaching in China - Sino Canadian International College

I just finished my second week in the classroom at SCIC and it has been an interesting experience. I teach English to first year University students and have four different classes: Listening & Speaking, Writing, Reading and an English Interest Corner. Some of the major changes in comparison to a North American classroom:

- There is an utmost respect for educators amongst students and behavioral issues are minimum.

- For many, I am their first foreign teacher. Hence, it was easy to understand why they we're so nervous during the first few classes.

- Participation can be a problem and you often have to start 'calling names' - something which is discouraged back home.

- Chinese students go to high school for 12hours a day, 6 days a week. When they come to University it is the first time in their lives when they actually have enough free time to take up various sports, hobbies and to pursue love interests

- Every class has a junior communist member. It was not hard to figure out who it was in my classroom, as only one student filled out that their hero was 'Chairman Mao' on my 'Who Are You' questionnaire. Stay clear of issues regarding Tibet, Tienanmen Square and Taiwan.

- Classes are close knit communities. For example, my students will often come into class early to study and they will plan weekly social activities.

- The student - teacher relationship is somewhat different than in North America. For example, I have weekly lunches at the Cafeteria with groups of three students. It helps the students 'gain face' amongst their peers by going for lunch with their foreign teacher and they will not let you pay for lunch - no matter how hard you try.

- Plagiarism is a major problem in the classroom. For most, this is the first time in their lives where copying is not allowed. The Chinese way is to copy...I mean borrow...and then find ways of doing it more efficiently, both time and cost wise. Due to this, creativity is stifled.

- Since Facebook is blocked by the Great Firewall of China, students here use something called QQ. Picture MSN Instant Messenger circa 2003. That is what QQ is here. You will not meet a single student who does not have it.

All in all, teaching in China is an amazing experience. I would highly recommend it to all those out there. Living accommodation is usually provided and the work hours are highly agreeable. For many teaching jobs here, all you need to be is exotic (a Westerner) and have a regular B.A. If you have your B.E.D. even better, as it will open up the doors to many more positions, prepare you for the classroom and ladder you up the pay scale! An ESL certificate is also handy. 

10 Things I have learned about Southern China thus far:

1) The roads are virtually lawless. If you want to pass someone all you have to do is honk. Bonus points for veering over the two yellow lines and weaving through oncoming traffic.

2) You wallet always goes in the front pockets. Thievery is rife here, hence bars on almost every first floor window.

3) It is cheaper to eat out, than to cook for yourself (low cost of labour). Expect to pay under 40rmb (around $7CDN) at most Chinese restaurants, drinks included and under 14rmb ($2CDN) at a take-out/cafeteria.

4) Do not look into a Chinese kitchen...just go to your happy place and dig into the food.

5) The washrooms of many Chinese businesses are like the movie SAW. Oh and bring your own toilet paper, napkins and hand-wash, cause they don't have them.

6) There are not many building codes here. Maintenance is almost unheard of too and the bare minimum is done. The Chinese way is to build it big (vertical), fast and  flashy. After 5-10 years it is better to just tear a building down and build a new one...maintenance is too much of a hassle.

7) Bars do not close, as long as you continue to buy drinks. If you want to experience a Varsity Blues 7am walk home, this is the place....and for $50cents a Chinese beer.

You Mean I Can't Throw Bottles
 at People, Out of a Moving Train?

8) You will spend a great deal of your salary if you continually eat Western food. Man up and dig into the mystery meat.

9) The Chinese love their bones and cartilage. The breast of the chicken is the most undesirable part. The feet are probably the best...packaged chicken feet, pickeled feet, bbq'd feet, deep fried feet...The Chinese love their chicken feet as much as Bubba loves his shrimp.

10) If it looks like an animals genitalia on a skewer...it probably is...beware!

14 Days Later

Main Entrance - Guangxi University

After months of paperwork and going through the Visa process, it was a welcome relief to finally make it over to China. Nothing you see on television, or read about, can prepare you for the culture shock of such a different place. Fairly westernized metropolis centers such as Hong Kong are one thing, but Guangxi Province and more specifically Nanning, are eye openers. Going from a summer camp in Kirkfield, Ontario (population 300), to a city of 6.5 million is quite the change. As different as it it, I have been thoroughly enjoying the process. After all, it is all part of the adventure!

During my initial arrival in Nanning, I was welcomed by several senior students at the airport. I was informed that they would be my assistants throughout the academic year. They have been a blessing these first couple weeks, as I was basically a blind sheep upon arrival, who had to be guided through the setup of a bank account, residence permit, shopping, dinning, etc. Their level of English differs and the stronger ones are generally working towards a major in the subject. I felt like a rock star the first week, as I toured the city with my assistants and many of their friends in tow. My shopping cart would be pushed, bags carried and bartering taken care of!

Campus Scenery

What strikes me the most about Southern China is the absence of Westerners. There are probably under 200 in Nanning, most of which of course...teach English. You are an object of curiosity here, especially when you are over the 6' mark. Expect a few hundred point blank stares whenever you go out. The best is when you get a large group of students yelling 'hello' at you. Overall, the Chinese are a very welcoming and kind people.

Making a Cake for the Birthday!

I have another week left of orientation/prep, before I start teaching first year English (Reading, Writing, Listening/Speaking). It will be nice to finally have my own classroom and there is a great deal of freedom with the curriculum. Looking forward to kick-starting the year and will provide updates as the adventure progresses.