Hi,

I understand that many foreign teachers have had bad experiences in China, and I'm sorry for those teachers. However, there are things I'd like to remind those who would want to come to China to teach English and to experience a different culture.
1. Teachers are a very respectful profession in China. Some elder parents would even bow at you. Please do act like a teacher. Prepare for your classes and never be late.
2. Your salary might not sound high in your country, between 4500 RMB and 8000 RMB, averagely speaking. But keep this in mind: a lot of households only make less than 2000 a month (even less than 1000 in smaller cities while you can stil make about 4000). Many parents save their money hard, even skip their meals, so as to give their children a better English education.
3. Most of foreign teachers don't have any teaching experience before they come to China. However, most local English teachers are trying hard to gain their teaching skills. Please don't overlook their suggestions when teaching together just because you're a native speaker. Please keep in mind that your students were not brought up in a western way.

I'm not from China either. I'm a Taiwanese working with a foreign teachers in Shanghai. I don't have to speak for any local people. It's just that I've been teaching English for over 20 years and I hate to see young learners get disappointed when they have bad English teachers. Welcome to China (or to the company I work for) to teach English and to enjoy Chinese culture. But please, be a good teacher. Kids are innocent.

Michelle