Teach English in China blog
Welcome to the Teach English in China blog!
Here you will find real stories, practical advice and opinion pieces about teaching English in China - all written by past or present teachers.
If you would like to contribute to the blog, please 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!
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...
What is Chinese New Year all about?
Festivals
February 17, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
Spring Festival, commonly known as Chinese New Year, kicks off this week. So what is this festival all about? Year of the Pig According to Chinese zodiac, each new year is celebrated with 1 of 12 animals. In 2019 it’s the pig. People b...
Teaching English (and finding love) in Shenzhen
Interview
February 12, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
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
February 01, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
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 18, 2015 by Mike Cairnduff
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...
