Teach ESL In China
There is no better time, than now, to teach ESL in China. This is an exciting time in Chinese history as east meets west: ideologies are being questioned; and some of the greatest thinkers are coming out of this region. All of these great tinkers need someone to teach them English. Perhaps you are thinking of teaching ESL in China and are curious about what to expect?
Before committing to teaching ESL in China, do your homework. Find out more about the country, its' region, laws, and customs. Contact schools and universities and talk to them before making a commitment. See if there are other English teachers there that are willing to talk to you and answer any questions you may have.
Decide at what grade level you wish to teach ESL in China. Many programs offer teaching positions ranging from pre-K to college level. If you teach young children you should have an assistant in the classroom with you; someone who is well versed in both the local dialect and English. Talk to your assistant before you start teaching, and plan together how you will handle a class of rowdy children (all of which do not speak a word of English).
If you wish to teach ESL in China at the college level; then chances are that you will not be given a bi-lingual assistant. Even though your students will probably know some English, it doesn't hurt to have handy a book on Chinese-English translation.
There will be someone on the schools' administration that speaks English (probably the head of the foreign language department). This person will be your main contact and will help you with local customs, housing, shopping, etc. You may wish to speak to this person before making a commitment to the school because you will want someone with whom you feel comfortable asking for help when you need it.
Your income will be a great deal less in China than it would be in Western countries. The average income for someone teaching ESL in China is RMB 4000, or $169-$266/weekly. While this may not sound like much; remember that you will be living in their economy and will be making a very good living (relatively speaking). The average teacher spends roughly 15 hours in the class room per week. The number of days per week you work, whether or not you work on weekends, and you holidays off; varies from university to university.
Living conditions also vary. Most schools and universities will provide you with room and board, however, some will not. You should find out before hand where you will be living and what the conditions are at both your home and at the school. Depending on the area, heat, air conditioning, and running water may not be readily available.
Teaching ESL in China is both challenging and rewarding. You should work for a good school and/or university, one which provides bi-lingual assistants and a good salary. Check before you make the commitment to find out if you will have heat, air conditioning, and running water. Although the pay may seem low; it is comparable to other teachers in China.
To find out more about "Teach English Abroad", visit Teach ESL In China of Teach English In China
Source: www.articlecity.com
