An Interview with Luigi at EF Hangzhou, China
GS: So, can you tell us a bit about how you first got into English teaching?
LC: I was tired of my desk job and need to get out of the country. It was a choice of Korea, China or Taiwan. I went with China. No regrets here.
GS: Could you give some details about your dealings with Gold Star TEFL Recruitment?
LC: I reached out to Gold Star in a time when my fiancé and I really needed a change and they came through for us BIG TIME. Due to Gold Star, We’re happily living in Hangzhou. Thank you to Jessica Tsai for helping us and for always checking up on us.
GS: What advice do you have for people about the recruitment and interview process when looking for jobs teaching in China?
LC: P
repare. If the interview process is too easy, something may be off. The two best schools I worked with had me do an intense interview. You really have to know what you’re talking about. Excuse my language but they filter out the b###sh####ers
GS: You are teaching in Hangzhou at the moment, can you tell us about your impressions of the city? What do you like most about living there?
LC: I’m currently
living in Hangzhou and WOW I’m pleased with my decision. I’ve lived in smaller cities in China most of the time so I knew coming to Hangzhou would be a big change. It’s not just a big change, It’s an AWESOME change. This place won me over the first month I was here. I’ve already extended my contract.
GS: What do you like most about teaching English?
LC: The lifestyle. This career is easier than anything I’ve done back home in South Africa. There really is nothing to complain about.
GS: Can you tell us about your favourite class at the moment?
LC: I teach a group of Small Stars. About 10 kids. They’re all 4-5 years old. The cutest darn kids you’ve ever seen. And SO SMART.
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GS: Talk us through a typical day teaching English in China.
LC: Well, we work on Monday and Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So we’re off on Wednesdays and Thursdays. A typical Monday for me right now is getting up at 0900, hitting the gym, grabbing lunch and being at work by 1300. Work only starts at 1400 but I like to get an early start. We plan lessons from 1400-1700 and have classes from 1730-2030. See, nothing to complain about.
GS: What are the teaching resources like there?
LC: We
have everything one may need. Books,
flash cards, mini flash cards, online resources and games too. From Power point games to activity games.
GS: How many teachers are there in your school?
LC: 17 in total I think. About 9 foreign teachers from all over the globe.
GS: China is full of surprises and unexpected adventures, tell us about one you have had recently.
LC: Every day is an adventure. No really. Think about moving to a different country. A huge one in fact. Now picture travel in that city. From taxis to bus hoping. From Metro trains to bicycles. Anywhere you go will probably have something new you have not yet experienced or seen.
About the Author: Frank
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