Gold Star TEFL Recruitment has been assisting teachers secure the very best teaching jobs in China since 2009 and has close connections with China’s leading schools. For details on teaching jobs with Longman Beijing and other major language schools have a look through our website and submit an application today.
Read more interviews with teachers in China here.

An Interview with Yohana Mendez at Longman in Beijing

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GS: So, can you tell us a bit about how you first got into English teaching?Yohana with IWB 350
YM: I had always dreamed about teaching, and two years ago I decided to come to Beijing for travelling and I was immediately seduced by the Chinese culture. I wanted to learn and interact directly with Chinese people but I was unable to talk to them because of the language barriers. At that moment I realized teaching English could be the beginning of a mutual culture and knowledge interchange.

GS: What advice do you have for people about the recruitment and interview process when looking for jobs teaching in China?
YM: Do not try so hard and just be yourself. Before going to any interview, you must know you will have an enormous responsibility with each and every student, your employer and yourself, so you have to be ready to accept this challenge.

GS: You are teaching in Beijing at the moment, can you tell us about your impressions of the city? What do you like most about living there?Yohana Beijing 240
YM: Beijing is the perfect combination between ancient and modern Chinese culture. Living here, I can experience a little bit of every province in China just going out to eat in different places on each part of this country. If you just want to get a Western flavor, this city also provides you a large variety of options. I also like to cook so I can just go to supermarkets which sell imported products.

GS: What do you like most about teaching English at Longman?
YM: I consider my colleagues like a family. I enjoy going to work every day for Longman which is a training school committed with the education of the students, providing resources (lesson plan, books, and aids) that help to create an outstanding environment to teach properly.

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GS: Can you tell us about your favourite class at the moment?
YM: My favorite class is the one I have on Saturday mornings. It is PP3 class (TTB4). They are ten beautiful, intelligent, confident, respectful kids that make me laugh and remind me why I like teaching. They are not afraid to express their ideas in English and even when they make mistakes, they work hard to correct them. They love their English class and demonstrate that in every performance in our magical Saturday mornings.

GS: Talk us through a typical day teaching English in China.Yohana's students 350
YM: I drive my bike to the nearest subway station. In just a few minutes, I arrive at the school where I have everything ready to start my first class in the morning. During the day, I find a classroom with smiling faces of kids who come to class with their best disposition to learn. They repeatedly scream words, sentences, practice dialogues, play games and sing songs in English. I always do my best and finish my day feeling good about my whole experience with the knowledge that I am doing great work.

GS: What are the teaching resources like there?
YM: The resources are amazing. Every level has a book. Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard that kids enjoy using and gives the teacher the opportunity to give interactive classes using technology.

GS: How many teachers are there in your school?
YM: The Longman center where I work has six foreign teachers, three local teachers and six local teaching assistants for classes with children under 6 years old.

GS: China is full of surprises and unexpected adventures, tell us about one you have had recently.
YM: You just need to take a walk in the afternoon and you will see marvelous things in this city. I used to prefer riding my bike, but since last week, I enjoy taking the back “seat” while my boyfriend rides it. It’s very funny to see how all the Chinese people on the road smile when they see how two foreigners have adopted their way of transportation!

This school is holding interviews now, apply today!

Read more interviews with teachers in China here.

Gold Star TEFL Recruitment has been assisting teachers secure the very best teaching jobs in China since 2009 and has close connections with China’s leading schools. For details on teaching jobs with Longman Beijing and other major language schools have a look through our website and submit an application today.
Apply now

INTESOL Course

Realise your dreams of living and teaching English worldwide with INTESOL.

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