4 Things to Do in Xiamen if You Only Have Two Days
Xiamen is often referred to as one of the most beautiful cities in China. After visiting it for only 2 days, I would not only confirm the truth of that [...]
Rules for Primary School Classrooms
On your first day in a new primary school classroom, it’s helpful to establish class rules. If you set guidelines, your students will always know what you expect from them, as well [...]
5 ESL Topics to Get Your Students Talking
As an ESL teacher in China, one thing that we all struggle with on more than one occasion is getting our students to speak. I can recall countless stories exchanged [...]
Harbin Ice Festival – An Amazingly Cold Childhood Dream Come True
I decided to move to Shenzhen last May, but long before I signed my contract, I knew exactly what I would be doing during Spring Festival. As classes came to an [...]
6 Tiny Cultural Differences to Expect in China
When you move to China, there are plenty of huge cultural differences to adjust to. A collectivistic culture. A hierarchical society. The importance of saving face. There are also countless tiny [...]
Four Great Free Apps for Learning Mandarin Chinese
One of the most daunting issues to overcome when living in China is the dreaded language barrier. Sometimes, trying to express the simplest of things can be exhausting if both parties can [...]
Day Trips from Shenzhen: The Dafen Oil Painting Village
As summer approaches, teachers are looking for new and exciting things to do with their time off. Not everyone has full weekends to take trips out of the city (as some people [...]
How to Build Relationships at Your Chinese School
Why should you get involved at your Chinese school? Many foreigners who teach English in China view their role as “just a job.” They show up, but go straight home after [...]
8 Things Every ESL Teacher Should Keep at Their Desk
When teaching English in China, you always need to be on your toes. In the nearly three years I have been here, there have been times when I’ve been asked to [...]
Teaching While Sick
A few times a year we all succumb to some sort of illness. Coming down with a cold at your regular job stinks; you sit at your desk with a sweater [...]
