If you can teach then the opportunities are endless.
There is a question I’ve been asked a lot lately. It’s come from foreigners and Chinese alike and it makes me really think that sharing this topic would really help anyone thinking of doing something like what I’ve done. The question is why do you want to teach? It seems like an easy question to answer at first but the more I’ve been asked this the more I think there is a lot more to it than just it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
Sure teaching is just in my blood. I’ve always caught myself teaching people when given the opportunity, and it is very true that I’ve wanted to teach ever since I was in high school. There is more to it than just wanting to teach though. There is the satisfaction in knowing you are bettering someone’s life, and giving them opportunities to succeed that they would not normally have.
So many teachers here in China aren’t interested one bit in actually teaching. They are here for the adventure alone. Now, I’m not saying it’s wrong to seek adventure, but I do find it a bit offensive that people who are qualified beyond belief and they only half ass teach the Chinese. A good friend once told me that there are teachers here in China who have no business teaching a dog to bark let alone a human.
So the question I will ask those who want to try their hand at teaching, whether it is in China or any other part of the world. Are you coming to teach or is it just a vacation? The job of teaching is a serious one and even though it is rewarding and affords many luxuries in China. Are you willing to put in the effort to actually be a teacher? Those who don’t take it seriously are the ones who have made those of us who do want to do this for the right reasons to suffer from harsher regulations to ridiculous contracts because they don’t stick around long when they discover it is actually work and not the vacation they envisioned.
English teachers are in such demand because teachers don’t tend to stay teaching long in China. Most end up trying other professions after teaching here for a few months to a year. Of Course some don’t even really get started teaching. From personal experience there was a teacher who never even showed up once he was hired. I guess that would have taken too much work. I just find it very insulting to see so many people throw away something I had to give up everything just to do.
If you are interested in teaching, I can tell you there is nothing like actually seeing your students begin to communicate in a second language. When they overcome their shyness and step up to you and give an honest effort. The pride I feel as a teacher is overwhelming sometimes. The kids I teach are great and make me a better person by being around them. So, if you want something that gives satisfaction and is a challenge teaching could be for you. In my next article I’ll talk about what you will need to get started in the ESL field.
I am half way through my ELL Bachelors program, and my goal from the beginning was to teach English in China. At 55 years, this is a huge step for me to drop everything and start a new career path.
From your bio, you do not have teaching credentials and are those necessary?Are there agencies that are better than others when it becomes time to start looking for a teaching position in China? Recommendations?
Thank you for what you do. You seem passionate about teaching and that is also my motivator.
Thanks for your time,
Mark
you are not only teaching english language for that matter, you are teaching more than just a language...they look up to you...
keep doing what you do... :-)