Teach English in China blog
Welcome to the Teach English in China blog!
Here you’ll find real stories, practical advice and opinion pieces about teaching English in China – all written by past or present teachers.
Want to to contribute to the blog? Just contact us and we'll be in touch.
So, make yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy reading. You may even decide to teach in China!
The 4 most breathtaking bridges in China
Places
May 24, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
China’s recent announcement that it will open the world’s highest glass footbridge made me think – what are the country’s most breathtaking bridges? Here is my top four. 1. Jiaozhou Bay Bridge (or Qingdao Haiwa...
The new authority on China’s Xinjiang region
Reviews
May 10, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
If you’re thinking about going to Xinjiang, Josh Summers’ new book Xinjiang: A Traveler’s Guide to Far West China is your must-have travel companion. With almost 500 pages of exquisite detail, this book is the most...
Teaching English in China: one recruiter tells all
Interview
May 04, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
You often hear about the experiences of people who are teaching English in China. But what about the people who do the hard work getting the teachers over there? To get an insight into the recruiter’s world, I interviewed Jane Qin, an experi...
The top 6 things you should bring to China
Advice
April 14, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
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 03, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
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 30, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
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 20, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
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...
How is language education changing around the world?
Interview
March 09, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
In this blog, I talk to ESL thought leader and co-founder of English Attack!, Paul Maglione, about how language education is changing around the world. English Attack! offers a new approach to learning English, developed by media and vid...
5 unique things people do at Chinese New Year
Festivals
March 02, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is a much-loved time of year for Chinese people. Spending time with family and friends, eating a copious amount of delicious food and letting off firecrackers is the norm for most people. What you do...
Teaching English (and finding love) in Shenzhen - Part 2
Interview
March 01, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
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...
