In an effort to answer some questions I have recieved about my experience thus far in China, I decided to write it into a journal entry rather than answer individually. If anyone has anymore questions, feel free to add a comment with them in it and I will answer them when I get a chance. What's the best and worst thing about China and teaching over there in general? For so long I have wanted...

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I decided to indulge myself and get a backrub. They are very cheap here and I had heard good things. I went to the massage parlor close to our apartment and paid 50RMB for the best full body massage I have ever had. That’s just over $8 (Canadian) for an hour massage. The staff were very interested in me, but they did not speak English. My massage therapist left the room and the one beside...

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After observing a class this morning, I told my co-worker that is mainly responsible for my training that I am comfortable interacting with the students and am feeling more prepared for my upcoming responsibility of leading the class. Perhaps this was a mistake, because I have now been switched from observing classes tomorrow to co-teaching. Tomorrow I will be leading my first class (with assistance from Anthony) at 8:45AM. We wrote our lesson plan today...

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I was feeling a little off this morning. One issue I am struggling with here in China is the language barrier. I needed to go buy more bottled water and was thinking about my inability to interact with the staff at the market right by my apartment. They don’t speak any English, and I don’t speak Mandarin. They recognize me now as I have gone in the last 2 days and are starting to become...

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This morning I was very proud of myself. I decided to go exploring by myself and follow the path that I took yesterday. Yesterday, I was feeling very lost. I was more focused on avoiding being hit by traffic and people watching then paying attention to where we were going. I managed to find Lion Head Food Street, the 2 banks we visited, the foreign products store and lastly, the market close to the apartment...

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Part 1: My first impression of China, as we touched down in Shanghai after an incredibly long flight (14 ½ hours) was: Why is there so many trees and so much grass? I was expecting to see a sea of shiny towering buildings. After clearing customs and picking up my baggage, I met one of the teachers (Anthony) from my new school that was there to escort me to Nanjing. I was very glad I...

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I am currently at the airport, waiting for my flight to board. Very soon, I will begin my 14 hour flight to China. Is it odd that I am not nervous? However, it does feel very rea nowl. Soon I will step off a plane and be in Shanghai. I am off to get my last Tim Hortons coffee (oh, how I will miss their coffee) See you soon China!

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After talking to a few people interested in teaching in China, I have decided to write an entry all about how I found a job in China detailing the steps that I took. 1) I started out by taking the 4 week 120 hour TESL course at Sol International House in Toronto. The course was great and included 20 practicum hours. I was able to get some practice teaching (five 90 minute classes). I also...

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I am looking to set-up a blog to track my advertures in China. I know certain sites are restricted in China. Can anyone advise a good blogging site for me to use?    

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I am happy to report that I have accepted a job offer in Nanjing! I'm very excited! Time is flying by and I will be soon be off on my TESL journey. The school has recommended that I fly in at least a week early in order to adjust to the time difference. This also means that I will get to enjoy the Chinese New Year fesitivities. The school seems great, as do the staff....

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