Blogs by Mike Cairnduff
The top 6 things you should bring to China
Advice
April 13, 2015
Not sure what to bring to China and what to leave behind? The country is modernizing so quickly that most of the creature comforts you rely on are easy to pick up at the nearest shopping mall. And, of course, online shopping is always ava...
What is Tomb Sweeping Day?
Festivals
April 02, 2015
Tomb Sweeping Day, also known as the Qingming Festival, is a time to pay respect to relatives and ancestors who have passed away. The day is a public holiday in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. What do Chinese people do on Tomb Sweeping Da...
Teaching English in Xinjiang, China’s last frontier
Interview
March 29, 2015
Ever been to Xinjiang? Ever heard of Xinjiang? If you answered ‘no’ to either of these questions, you’re not alone. Located in the northwest of China, Xinjiang (pronounced “sin gee-young”) is one of the country’...
The secret to overcoming culture shock
Daily life
March 19, 2015
The first few weeks in a foreign country can be a little overwhelming, especially for first-time travelers. China, in particular, is a real eye-opener. With its stark cultural differences, difficult-to-master language and sheer amount of people, m...
Teaching English (and finding love) in Shenzhen - Part 2
Interview
February 28, 2015
The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has changed the life of 39-year-old British teacher Tim Robinson. This is part 2 of the interview with Tim. Read part 1 of the interview first. How would you describe Shenzhen? It’s an ultra-m...
Teaching English (and finding love) in Shenzhen
Interview
February 11, 2015
The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has changed the life of 39-year-old British teacher Tim Robinson. Why did you decide to teach English in China? After I graduated from university, I got a job as a project manager in the UK with a private c...
The 10 do’s and don’ts of teaching in China
Advice
January 31, 2015
Ever thought about leaving your boring life behind to teach English in China? If so, you need to consider the following top tips for a stress-free and enjoyable experience. For a more in-depth look at teaching in China, download the free ebook...
Thinking about teaching abroad? These 3 teachers chose China
Planning
January 17, 2015
Going abroad to teach is a big but exciting decision. As part of your decision-making process, it's important to hear about other people's experiences. Below you'll hear from three teachers (from different parts of the globe) who de...
Want to teach English in Shanghai? 6 tips for first-timers
Advice
January 11, 2015
Shanghai is a great place to teach English. It's a cosmopolitan city with delicious food and pleasant weather most of the year. It's also home to reputable schools and eager students. But there are some important things you need to k...
What is the role of the English teacher in China?
Interview
January 07, 2015
In this blog, I talk to ESL thought leader and co-founder of English Attack!, Paul Maglione, about the role of the English teacher in China. What qualities or characteristics do you think are needed to be a good teacher? A good teacher needs to...
