You are scary tho gaz, i was petrified when i saw you no wonder the babies are scared! :P I really want to know where scottish steve went and whether he had kindergarten it'd be amusing to see the kids reaction to him! :D I also have two classes of 3-4 yr olds and they are both really really good and behaved (mostly.) Attention span can be a problem sometimes as they are a bit restless and want to play but it's not too bad.

They've asked me to teach from a textbook Playway to English and they've specified what topics I must teach from one week to the next, they are really into their songs and chants to. The parents pay a lot of money so the children can learn english so they take it quite seriously. It took me over a week to get out of them all the stuff needed to teach it mind you, such as a tape with the songs on and I stumbled on the dvd to go with it as well, pretty sure my english assistant uses it when im not the class so she wasnt too forthcoming with it :)

Sounds like you're doing well and dnt need advice! lol If you want me to send u some of the playway to english songs and chants I can do that. Might need to skype sing it to you though haha I've made a point that my kids talk to me in english from the start, so when its food time they ask me in english, "rice please Gemma" "water please Gemma" drilling in the please and thank yous, I want polite little babies. The teachers really want to help as well so they have started to give them instructions in english, (i always make sure the teachers pronunciation is right to bcos they can say things really weirdly!) So the kids are now used to english instructions, makes life easier for me! Had some good feedback off the parents so far I have been told so think Im doing ok :S One kids parents even asked if I could live with them and they would feed me! I said i'd visit haha free food, hell ye.

So you going to Shanghai in October then?

Hey, things are going well down here thanks, been having a good time so far.  I'm teaching middle school in a private school, some of the boys are a bit naughty but generally it's ok.  Been enjoying the weekends and hanging out in the city of Shenzhen.  Looking forward to the holidays though cause I'm quite tired.  We're going to Shanghai in October, really looking forward to it.  How are things with you? 

heeeyaaa! Im teaching kindergarten, very cute. Had a few downs but mostly ups. Spent yesterday at the summer palace beautiful. what are you doing in the October week? My internet has broke so using a comp in work, very basic. lol praying it gets fixed asap!x

hay gazren1 just saw your post about checkpoint 5, i see you posted back in april so i guess youve done it by now, do you have any tips? im a little confused about the first few questions, do they just want the objectives and assumed knowledge copied and pasted into (why has it started typing in bold?) the answer box?

thanks in advance for any help

gtfelix

p.s. im going to china too what part are you in?

Hello Gaz. Pretty much set - had my last day at the office and moved out of my rented house. Visa arrived last week, after a minor catastophe the week before - 90 day single entry too. I have never been so happy to see a tedious looking official document. Just travel insurance to buy and clothes to pack. Had a productive last few days, so off for a richly deserved Sunday night pint...

I may have already asked - what day are you arriving? I'm setting down morning 21st August, staying at the Happy Dragon hostel.

How's the final prep? Pumped full of excited anticipation/nerves?!

Wowwwza!!  Transformer statues?!  I was pretty curious to see what you meant, so I googled it!! They are pretty impressive just in the piccies online; have you checked them out?  They are huge, there was an image of one with passers-by, and boy, did it make the statue look massive!! Massive is not the word! :00  A good thing is though, one of the statues is close to the Olypics bird's nest, which I'm pretty sure it said in the pre-departure pack, our hotel/training centre is close to!!  So it's probable there will be time to see one at least!! 

Tell me about the school error, I so wish I had thought about booking earlier for some sight seeing! I have seen several things on pandas now, and I'm now dying to go and see some!!  There was even an article in the paper about the rehabilitation program they have been doing in China!  So I'm sold!!   

So you are finding sleeping tough huh?  Me too, since the beginning of August, and ticket buying, it's just excitment.  The thought of the end of the count-down, has even changed , my mood at work, and my out-look on the city I live.  Oh gosh, that's pretty special!! Lol.  My city is normally pretty grim in hidsight.

I'm arriving, unfortunately, I think the latest; looking at everyone's posts.  I was trying to save dosh to do more travel things later, so I got the cheapest flight.  Bit daft, as it mean I arrive at 6.20pm on the 23rd.  I have a killer journey:0)  Though I only have to change flight once, and that is from Hong Kong!  Hope I don't miss out on too much of the excitment of everyone arriving!!:oD

It would be an morning/early afternoon on the 15th. I have to be back in Corby by 4pm for a goodbye dinner out with the family! Shame I didnt see you on here earlier, I just moved out of Leicester city centre in prepation for this trip!

You free on the 15th? im changing trains in Leicester and could always come out of the station if you want to meet in town for a weatherspoons breakfast/drink?

Hello

How's everything going, has the mischievous passport arrived back?  Visa all ok?  I had a friendly chap ring from the embassy last friday, saying he'd give me an f visa, but only for 90 days!  So that's good,though I do get freaked as it's not the 180, but i suppose that with the visa change when we get there any way, it's no biggy.  One of the guys on this site; had a similiar thing, and in his blog is seemed pretty funny, I think he told the guy to 'get off', something like that.  That made me chuckle.   So the embassy dude said he was processing it.  Hopefully it  should be on the door mat any day soon! :0D

It's all soo real now, I've only got insurance to sort, packing, and finishing work!!!  So excited.  Hope all is going well for you.  Have you sorted everything?  Are you going eary like loads of other people? So wish i thought of that-Beijing zoo!!!  lol

I've been thinking ever since I got accepted I hope I get placed somewhere that I can watch the football even if it is at 2 in the morning.  Good luck with the Visa.