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!
Eating meatballs with chopsticks: the expat’s guide to Ikea in China
Shopping
September 23, 2017 by Jonathan Arthur
When you make the move to China, one of the first things you’ll want to do is decorate your new apartment. Fortunately, there is Ikea in China! It may seem a little bit odd that I would write about Ikea in China. First of all, isn’t ev...
Travel truths: what you need to know about China
Advice
September 15, 2017 by Mike Cairnduff
I recently came across a great blog that outlined 40 travel truths you should know by age 40. Naturally, my brain turned to ‘China mode’ and as I ran through the list I considered how each of the truths applied to China. So here are...
What are the best VPNs for China in 2024?
Reviews
September 08, 2017 by Mike Cairnduff
In case you haven’t heard, the internet in China is censored. Many of the websites and apps that you rely on every day are inaccessible. It’s known as the Great Firewall of China and it affects more than 1.3 billion people. The g...
China Z visa requirements - what the latest changes mean for foreign teachers
Advice
September 03, 2017 by Kim Ooi
Up until 2017, the procedure for getting a China Z visa to teach English was fairly straightforward. When you applied for a teaching vacancy in China, all you needed to do was submit your resume, photo, references as well as scans of your passport...
Is it better to visit China’s cities or villages?
Places
August 20, 2017 by Sarah Bucknall
Becoming an English teacher in China is most certainly rewarding in itself. But when your feet start to explore this beautiful and diverse country it’s as though you’ve walked into multiple worlds. From towns with ancient ruins to metr...
10 things about China that may surprise you
Daily life
August 04, 2017 by Mike Cairnduff
Everyone knows that China is famous for pandas, the Great Wall, and its huge population. However, there are some things about this intriguing country that you may not know, particularly if you’re a first-time visitor. So, here are 10 thin...
Using a Guttman Chart to help your students in China
Teaching strategies
July 22, 2017 by Nicholas McKay
I swear by using a Guttman Chart when teaching large classes. It's a tool designed to ascertain a student’s 'zone of proximal development' (ZPD), otherwise referred to as 'what they are ready to learn next'. There will...
Meet the woman whose been teaching English in China for 13 years!
Interview
July 21, 2017 by Mike Cairnduff
Arleen Cotas has been teaching English in Jinan, northern China, for 13 years. It’s a stellar effort, so naturally I wanted to interview her. Arleen, you’ve been teaching in China for 13 years. What’s your secret for longevity...
Using movies in your ESL classroom in China
Teaching strategies
July 15, 2017 by Sarah Bucknall
Using movies in your ESL classroom in China is really worthwhile. But for me, it wasn’t as easy as just clicking on ‘play’. It was 8:30am and I felt it was too early to be having a debate. We had just had our lesson plans chec...
How to help students with academic difficulties
Teaching strategies
July 08, 2017 by Nicholas McKay
Experiencing difficulty with the content is the main reason behind why students act inappropriately. Fortunately, however, there are some strategies you can use with students experiencing such difficulties. These strategies may help you...
