If we have students that have names like mia or zhi and then students like mohammad or rachman then I will just double up the long names or give the shorternames half the letter. If you have a student who you know is very naughty and his/her name is short don't let on that you will do that as he/she will then know they have few chances!

Oh, that sounds like a good system....but what if some of the children have really long names and some of them have really short names??  My name is short so I would get a yellow letter sent home quicker!!

@ Rin: Yeah, that's why I chose the area, it will be a lot cooler than Jakarta but I think I can happily manage 23C! Southern China for me is much better as you can still holiday in neighbouring tropical countries cheaply and without flying for more than a couple of hours. 

Changing visa's is relatively easy and most schools do that especially if you get the job and start quite soon because you don't have time to visit the embassy in your own country, It just means they will sort the paperwork out and then fly you out the country for a day or two then come back with a work visa.

@ Emma: That's funny, similar to my colleague who is from Australia. When he was in school there was still caning, he used to get it from his headteacher and then again at home from his dad, his dad actually went to the school and told them if he misbehaves just give him a whack at the back of the head.

We have a good system for discipline here, it involves Green, Yellow, and Red cards. Green for good, Yellow if you misbehave - parents must sign it and the student gives it back to the teacher at the next class and Red is for very naughty and involves a meeting between the DOS and the parents. I usually get a yellow card at the start of intake and if they are naughty I will write a letter of their name on the letter, when their name is full they get a yellow letter - acts as a great deterrent!!!

Aww I hate giving letters home too!  I had to write a letter home once for a little boy in Egypt who rather liked to kick his class mates.  His grandmother came to see me after the next class - do you know what advice she gave me?  "Kick him back!!!".  I was flabbergasted to say the least!  She looked like such a sweet granny too!

I just checked on the map. Dongguan is fairly close to Zhuhai! It looks lovely in that area. Not too cold either!

Ooh, near Hong Kong! Sounds nice. :) I'm looking at Southern China, Zhuhai looks nice. I think i'd like somewhere on the coast. :) Hainan Doa looks pretty too, i don't know if there is much there though?

Is it okay to change visas once you are there then? I thought they didn't really like that?

My email is denise.velati@myvirtualpa.ltd.uk

Thanks for your help! :)

Hi Rin, The student is with another teacher now but I have taught him twice before and I think he was just being lazy! haha

The medical was a blood test to check for HIV/AID/Syphilis etc. An ECG. Chest xray. Eye test and chat with the doctor. I am pretty sure it will be more expensive outside Indonesia, The first hospital I checked at it was going to be closer to $100.

You might not have to have the medical before China, It just depends on the schools policy as to whether they want you to enter on a work visa or a tourist visa and get it changed once you are there.

If you can give me your email I have a list of schools contact details and it would be easier to send you the file as there are quite a few.

I am going to be teaching in Dongguan which is near Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Great post! :)

Yes, i think i would have done the same with the student, You gave him a few chances and he still didn't do it. Tricky decision though. How is the student with you now?

So what did the medical for the China visa entail? I will have to get one here, i am sure it will cost a lot more than the equivalent of $60...haha.

You know you mentioned to apply directly to EF schools rather than via their website? Do you have any email addresses of any in China? I can only find the main website.

Which school in China are you going to teach in?

Take care. I hope your leg gets better soon! :)

Umm...I don't think you ever said what was really wrong with your leg (unless you are still not sure yourself). What was the problem? Is it arthritis or osteoporosis?

Well, I hope you get better. I hate prescription meds. I refuse to take them...(thats just me)....lol

In regards to the forgetful kid, you could have deducted 10 points for every day he forgot his paper. I think that would've made him remember.