Teaching English in China - Ed's Story

Posted by Amy Hanson - 16:42 on 08 June 2011

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Teaching English in China

Former TEFL England student Ed lets us know what it's like teaching English in China!  

My name is Edward Power and I am 26 years old and would like to share my experience with you.

Having worked hard at university and graduated with a business degree, the world seemed full of opportunity and I was very eager to start a career and build my future. I started an office job in Sales immediately following my graduation and very much enjoyed the city and my new job. Unfortunately at this point the credit crunch took hold of the country and as the saying goes, “first in, first out”. Redundancy seemed brutal and it was a very difficult time to find employment. It was at this time that I decided to make a change. I found a temporary job and signed up for the twenty hour, weekend TEFL course in Birmingham. The course was intensive but enjoyable and gave me a fantastic foundation to start a new career in teaching and dramatically change my life.

Within four months of completing my TEFL course, I was saying goodbye to friends and family and found myself on a plane to China. I am currently working for a private school in Huizhou City in the Guangdong province of China. I am roughly two hours away from the Hong Kong mainland border. I have been here ten months today and I can honestly say coming here was one of the best decisions I ever made. I teach roughly twenty hours a week and the school makes sure that you are given exposure to all age groups and English abilities to aid your own teaching progression. The students are great and I genuinely feel I have come a long way in terms of my teaching ability.

My quality of life here is fantastic. I am paid enough to really enjoy life and make the most of the experience. I have managed to save as well as travel and see neighboring cities as well as spend quite a lot of time enjoying Hong Kong. I have a nice apartment very close to school and eat out for most of my meals! I am learning Chinese (although it is very difficult) and I feel this experience has really made me appreciate my own strengths and weaknesses.

All in all, it is fair to say that I love my life in China. I have recently agreed to stay another year and have no plans to stop there. Taking the plunge and leaving for the unknown is scary, there is no doubt about it and at times it can be difficult to be away from friends and family but I would advise anyone who is considering the change to do so. Completing my TEFL course acted as the catalyst I needed to start a new career and ultimately change my life, broaden my horizons, develop my self both professionally and personally and enjoy a wealth of wonderful experiences! Thank you TEFL!

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Your Comments

Comment by Shannon at 11:25 on 28 July 2011.
Edward, Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm glad to hear that you enjoy living and teaching in China. Like you, traveling to China changed my life. I first traveled to China in highschool with the People to People Student Ambassadors Program and had the opportunity to return and teach English 10 years later. My students were not only very intelligent but also so disciplined and kind. I couldn't agree more with your comment that although it can be difficult at times, I too would recommend it to anyone who is considering teaching overseas. I wish you luck in your next year in China.

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