What kind of (light and easy to pack) resources are worth bringing? So far I've been recommended to take a selection of pictures - from magazines or photos, and a small soft toy for games. Are there any books that are particularly worth looking at in regards to activities (need things that can fill lesson time if necessary!)

Whilst we're on the subject of things to pack - any suggestions for essential items?! Never been away for this long before...and never to China. It's gonna be interesting...

Hiya! I recommend bringing the book "700 Classroom Activities" This book is really handy when it comes to planning lessons! You can get it in the onlinetefl.com TEFL accessoires shop!

Pictures are great - so those are a good call - although you might want to consider blowing some up to A4 or A3 size as you could have quite large classes - that and take the originals on a USB stick - when I taught in China all the classrooms were quite high tech with computers rigged up to projectors in the classroom. Another tip is to fill your iPod full of kids' songs or very simple pop songs (like S Club 7) which you can use as the basis for lessons.

I wouldn't worry too much about 'essential' items - wherever you are in China will have shops which are well stocked, so you'll be fine!

My number one essential will be my laptop I think! With access to any printers or anything, should be easy to do stuff like print out pictures, or get music while there. My friend, who's just finished a 2nd gap year recommends to take as little as possible, as you will end up picking so much over there! 

Yeah I'm pretty similar at the moment, looking at getting a big rucksack, then will see how many essentials I can fit in it afterwards!

Hey, I know this might not come under 'teaching resources' but I was just wondering if anyone knows what sort of clothes to bring. I know its pretty cold in Beijing at the moment but it'll get really warm in a few months. What is appropriate for female teachers to wear in school? Dresses, skirts or trousers? And should the knees and shoulders be covered at all times? I'm clueless!

Yeah, not sure a skirt would be suitable for you Dave...

Packing wise...guess I'm just gonna pack essential wear and buy whatever else I might need out there! Will take a warm jacket and decent shoes, and layer up. I may well look like a mummy at the airport as I can see my bag being pretty full...

Ooh! My copy of '700 Classroom Activities' arrived yesterday! Packed with ideas! Any other books that are recommended for children's activites?

Dave, you've nothing to worry about - a shirt and trousers should be absolutely fine! For girls, dresses, skirts OR trousers are all good (the wardrobe choices!!) but you prob want to cover up, so nothing above the knee, no excessive clevage flashing and I'd go with t-shirts with sleeves rather than vest tops. That said, it just depends on your school, and don't worry about packing too much as clothes in China are really cheap (although you might have problems if you really really tall).

In terms of lesson plans etc, you guys might want to download a free copy of TEFL Uncovered - it's mostly geared at ppl who are thinking about getting TEFL certified (so a bit basic for you), but it does have some useful ideas about lessons and tips about teaching in general. You can download it here: http://www.onlinetefl.com/contact-tefl-team/tefl-ebook.html

Hope that helps!

http://www.tefl.net/tefl-diary/tips-checklist.htm

http://www.teachabroadchina.com/travel-pack-live-in-china/

http://www.myseveralworlds.com/2007/01/30/dealing-with-culture-shock-2/

http://www.eslkidstuff.com/

Ok, I have checked out these 4 links. They are good - particularly the last one if you will be teaching kids - loads of games ideas and tips!

I know some people are taking flash cards with them.. is this necessary? What sort of resources are we likely to have access to in our schools? Will it vary greatly or not depending on where we are?

Anyhow, hope you also find the above useful.

http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2008/06/20/100-tips-and-resources-for-teaching-abroad/

I got the above links from here - a whole list of them falling under different categories. Have a browse. The teaching aids section has some good ones. Scroll down! Xx

Whilst I am thinking about it,two more sites you really MUST check out are :

www.sparklebox.co.uk - FREE printable resources!!!! My classroom here could have been an advert for sparklebox!!! Look at Foundation/KS1 stuff for alphabet/phonics cards.

www.primaryresources.co.uk - I used this to plan the majority of my lessons...it is amazing for worksheets and ideas. Look at the English section.

These sites were lesson life-savers on many occasions...particularly lunch break lesson planning when very stuck...

Hi All

Not really under teaching resources, but here is some info from someone who taught in China a few years ago re essential things to have/do.  Hope it helps.  I am coursed, visa's and ticketed-now to get rid of the rest of my stuff!

Hi Mike!
 
I'd love to help you out!
 
Where are you going? What will you be doing?
 
I was there in 2005 teaching English in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. It was a smalled town in Chinese standards and it was amazing! I've listed some tips here for you... I'm super busy right now and will send you more soon, ok? I'm just looking into jobs myself here in Korea!
 
Let me know the details of your trip, I'm extremely interested!
 
Best,
Amy
 
 
 
- Always carry your passport with you when you travel, even within the country
 
- If you plan on travelling outside China within your contract, check to see if you need a re-entry visa to get back into China. Or just get a multiple entry visa with your work visa
 
- Take a TEFL course. You can get it online or at a school in your town. Sometimes the info is useless but it does give you insight into the teaching experience and the cultural idiosyncracies to expect
 
- Some towns have a foreigner website that will help you link up with people who can help you out and answer any questions you might have
 
- Research the jobs a lot:
 
- I travelled all around China and my favourite place is the Guilin/Yanzhou area. Guilin is the big town and Yanzhou is the smaller quaint town nearby. The area is surrounded by limestone karsts - the area is flat but has these mini mountains popping up everywhere. It's magical! We rented bikes and rode out into the country and went to a cave and took a mud bath, it was awesome!
 
- Always bring your own toilet paper or tissue. Some bathrooms don't have it or you have to pay for a square at the door!
 
- The toilets are usually squat toilets... tips for squat toilets: sometimes they spray when you flush so reach with your leg to flush then run away. Sometimes they flood the floor so you might want to roll up your pants to avoid getting wet. Sometimes the dividers between the toilets are just short walls or there are no dividers!! It's an interesting experience to go poo infront of strangers!
 
- The food is pretty spicy, so beware of 'fire ass' - yes, it's also spicy coming out! It's a normal experience and everyone has it. Depending on your stomach, you may have more problems than others. I'd recommend not getting food at street vendors, you'll probaby get sick. In restaurants, don't look in the kitchen - it's better not to know what's going on in there!
 
- Cockroaches are a big deal there but if you spray with bug killer you can cut the percentage down. There are also big spiders. I've seen rats the size of small cats on the road in the middle of the day - bold little buggers!
 
- All the buildings are made of concrete - so they trap the heat and cold. It can be freezing inside your classroom but warmer outside. Dress warmly in the winter.
 
- Foreign teachers can get away with a lot! We can do illegal things on the street and no one bats and eye.
 
- In regards to clothing, depending on your job, you can usually wear the most casual clothes and it doesn't matter. Don't bring a lot of stuff with you. You'll probably have a small apartment anyways. In China, people tend to wear the same clothes over and over for a few days or even a week. So it's okay for you too.
 
- If you have big feet, you won't be able to buy shoes there. And if you're tall or even just regular height, you probably won't find tall enough pants.
 
- Don't drink the water. Buy bottled.  

What great advice! So useful hearing from someone who has actually lived there... thanks!

Haha, I love it!!!  I love the advice of 'tips for squat toilets: sometimes they spray when you flush so reach with your leg to flush then run away.'...classic!!!  Another reason to wear heels girls!!

Yeh that was great advice, thank you for posting! :) Not looking forward to seeing any cockroaches!!

Did you know that some cockroaches can fly Anna? :-)

AHHHH thats horrible!!! Are you serious?! 

Like some people have already mentioned it is best to travel light, take any pictures and documents on your flash drive, Unless you know you are heading to a town that is very small things like soft toys, balls, posters etc should be readily accessible. I made the mistake of taking the stuff you get with the TEFL course (lesson plans etc) and 2 binders worth of documents, I like to be prepared, I travelled for 6 weeks prior to coming to Indonesia and lugging that around wasn't much fun I can tell you. Make extra space in your bag for clothes and any special food that might not be available out here in the far east. A flash disk is much easier to take around.

Another tip would be to create an online storage drive, loads out there for free. Make a back-up on there just in case you lose or corrupt your FD.

I'm finally checking this group, and greatly appreciate all the suggestions and warnings  :-)

Hi All, Great tips on the teaching resources!!!  I've been wondering about them myself!!!  Anyone been doing Mandarin lessons, i'm epically failing at picking it up but i recently came across http://www.youtube.com/user/PeggyTeachesChinese which has been really helpful!!!  In terms of packing definitely pack light and buy up when your there!  Also i've been told to take a good supply of deodorant because apparently what you get in China is not that good!  Anyone feel free to add me on FB http://www.facebook.com/sashee4

I look forward to meeting you all in less than 2 weeks!!! :) Sasha

Hello all!

Check out http://www.tefl-chalkboard.com/groups/59-Teaching-ideas-materials for teaching material links!  Feel free to add!