‘Venture out of Beijing’ while teaching English abroad

Posted 31 Dec 2009

Expats teaching English in China should not focus their attentions solely on Beijing, although with it busy atmosphere, vibrant nightlife and diverse mix of cultures, this may seem difficult at first.

This is the advice of Gao Fumao, writer for the Global Times, who pointed out that although those teaching English in China may be enthralled by Beijing at first, they cannot afford to miss out on what the rest of the country has to offer.

The journalist stated that although expats in the city may feel like it is "the centre of the world", getting a feel for real China goes way beyond the capital.

"A regular trip out of the big smoke, if possible, is a great way to get perspective. Beijing is a fascinating place to live, but it’s not the only show around," continued the writer.

Meanwhile, those teaching English in China could make everyday life easier for themselves by learning the hand signs for numbers, mastering a few Chinese characters, according to the advice of former expat and i-to-i representative Honor Baldry.

Category: Living Abroad