Having My Parents Over in China for Christmas
The build-up to having my parents over in China was stressful. I feel that western media often builds a distorted image of China and Chinese culture because so much of the [...]
Moving to China? 5 Things to Carry with You at All Times
When I moved to China, I was overwhelmed by all I had to do to prepare and adjust. The last thing on my mind was what I should have stashed in [...]
How to Decide Where You Want to Teach in China
Congratulations, you’ve decided to teach in China! That’s a huge, exciting decision! Now comes the next part. Where in China do you want to live? Let me start [...]
Talk to Your Chinese Server Like a Pro
Eating at restaurants and trying bizarre food was probably my favorite part of living in China. However, if you don’t speak a word of Mandarin, going out to [...]
Chinese National Holiday – hot tips for your time off
What’s this holiday about? On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was inaugurated. An official victory celebration and ceremony was held in Tiananmen Square. Mao Zedong raised the first [...]
How are Chinese Students Similar to American Students?
I recently wrote a piece about how Chinese students are different than American students. Because it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you teach in another country! Don’t be [...]
The Best Day Hikes in China
When you move to China, it’s easy to get swept up in the culture (and you should)! Studying the language, finding the best parties in your new city, receiving affordable massages, [...]
How are Chinese Students Different than American Students?
Maybe you’ve taught students in America. You might babysit on weekends. Or you hang out with your younger cousins a lot. All of these experiences are useful when preparing to teach [...]
Our First Week Teaching English at EF Tianjin
Michelle Amy Newell and Mark Percy arrived in Tianjin together and decided to share their first week’s experiences with us. Arrival Coming to work for EF Tianjin has been [...]
Using Chinese Phrases in the Classroom
When a fellow expat advised me to use Chinese words in my classes, I was hesitant. It just didn’t make sense to me. Why would I speak Chinese in my English [...]
