Tell us about your experience in choosing and working with INFOworks Educational Services Inc. Canada as a recruiter for your teaching position in China. How did we help you to ensure a smooth transition to your school in China?

INFOworks was recommended to us by a mutual friend that knew that we were interested in teaching ESL in Asia. INFOworks arranged a meeting between Norman Damaren and ourselves so that we could get the details about the possible placement here at the Weifang China-Singapore Bilingual School in Weifang City, Shandong Province, China. Once we accepted the offer to teach ESL at the school Norman negotiated our salary, the terms of employment and our living arrangements with the school officials on our behalf. INFOworks also put us in contact with other teachers that were currently working in Weifang and one individual that had worked here at the school so that we could gather first hand information as to what living and teaching in China and in Weifang in particular, would be like. INFOworks also connected us to Eva Ding at Estar Travel who helped us in our visa application process and made all of the necessary travel arrangements for us so that our journey here went smoothly. We were also introduced to Mr. Zhang Gang, our English speaking contact here at the Weifang China-Singapore Bilingual School. This was most helpful as many of our questions concerning our working conditions and living arrangements could be answered before we left Canada. Mr. Zhang Gang has been a wonderful contact here at the school looking after our needs and answering our questions since the day he met us at the Qingdao airport!

How have you enjoyed the experience and your personal 'journey' in China?

My China experience to date has been quite wonderful. The Weifang China-Singapore Bilingual School is a good school at which to teach. The staff have been friendly and welcoming and most tolerant of my inability to communicate in anything but English and sign language. They have tried very hard to make us feel at home and to see that our needs are taken care of. Our teaching load is acceptable and while the class sizes are 40 students per class we have the assistance of a local Chinese teacher to help with discipline and instruction as required. We have a text from which to work and though limited, there are resources available to us. Each classroom is equipped with a computer and data projector or large screen TV. And our English speaking contact, Mr. Zhang Gang is terrific. Any problem or concern that we bring to him is dealt with quickly. I think we have definitely "hit the jackpot$#34; with Zhang Gang!

The real treat for me, a retired high school teacher, is working with elementary school children. Their energy and enthusiasm is infectious! To play games and sing songs as teaching methods of oral English is a refreshing change from the more formal lessons of the high school classroom. And preparing lessons for this age group has allowed me to use my creativity in a different way. While for the most part the students are great to work with, kids are the same the world over and there are those few that do try your patience.

Living here at the school has been good too. My apartment, while different to a Canadian apartment, is quite comfortable. Meals are delicious and the dining room staff make every attempt to see that we are well fed. The school is located close to shopping and is on several bus routes. Public transport here is wonderful... it's cheap, it runs often and it goes just about everywhere in the city! Weifang is quite easy to get around and I feel quite safe here whenever I am out and about. It's even quite easy to get to Qingdao or to Qingzhou for a weekend away!

Coming to China has long been a travel dream of mine and now I am realizing it - and not just as a tourist but as some one living and working here. Because of the language barrier it has been difficult to blend into Chinese culture but I have made friends and have learned so much about the Chinese and their way of life.

What are some "bits" of advice you would give to ESL teachers to help them deal with a significant but an exciting cultural shift?

Some tips for prospective "foreign English teachers" to China:

1. Learn a few key words and phrases of Chinese - the reward will be well worth the effort as the Chinese very much appreciate your efforts and, if nothing else, you will be greeted with the most disarming of smiles and soft chuckles.

2. Come to China with an open mind and an open heart; come with a sense of humour, the ability to be flexible, and the spirit for adventure as not everything here will be the way you might hope it to be.

3. Leave your expectations about hygiene and cleanliness, etiquette and manners, timeliness and organization at the airport in Canada as you will be challenged by what you find here; China is a country on the move and is moving quickly from a country of great poverty to one of "first nations" status.

4. Learn to use chopsticks and practise squatting - you'll need both skills as I have yet to see a fork in 2 months and most public washrooms are squat toilets; and always have tissues in your pocket!

5. Plan to make friends and to see as much of the country as you can.

6. If possible, arrange to come with a teaching colleague and friend; you'll have some one with whom you can speak English and some one to share your ups and downs and then have a good laugh about it all.

 
Peggy Ditchfield, Canadian Teacher in Weifang/Singapore Bilingual School.