Sophiaboulton’s Blog

Job. Found. Done. There.

Hello fellow teacher friends, how do?!

SO finally I have my placement! Isnt that brilliant?! After many weeks of getting completely trolleyed in Beijing and Hangzhou with all the fine TEFL people, it has all ended and I'm now based completely on me tod in the city of Linhai (look it up on the map its like near the seaside of Zhejiang, it has a great wall and a big lake!)

Im living in the coldest apartment I've ever been inside, teaching 15 year olds... JOY!! Really really wanted kindergarten though so a bit disappointed with getting the last choice on my preference sheet :(

How's everyone else doing? I hope you're all as ecstatically happy as I am and enjoying spreading the joy of the English language throughout the land of China!

I have no other round-eyed people to speak to about from one Chinese friend; his name is Ralph and he's taking me to dig out vegetables, going fishing and bicycle to the lake. His English is perfect, he can recite all of Oscar Wilde's poems and is an English Lit.Major. He knows more about the language than i do (feel slightly ashamed but i can recite all the words to Barbie Girl if that helps?) He doesnt like to drink. But he's so kind! He knew I was very cold so he brought me a massive coat and some jumpers! Also, for every meal, he comes to collect me and take me out! awwww!

Its crazy here! Im like the local celebrity, when I walk around the city/ school people look at me like what the f**k is that??? !

One upside-the food! Its brilliant here! Like mega nice- they know how to make potatoes and pork thats for sure! Plus we have lots of fish! So next time you see me Ill be incredibly fat, which would be nice!

Today Im preparing my lesson plan to teach 60 15 year olds on Monday! I think I will probably talk about myself, and England for the first part of it! (I know the subject incredibly well!) Then I have a topic that i have to cover! It's called "What should I do?" Its tempting to make them debate about what they'd do if they were in a random foreign city with noone else to talk to... ;)

OK hopefully when I write next Ill feel a lot better..!