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.