Over the past decade, teaching jobs in China have been on the rise. Many people are moving to China for a better quality of life, and English teachers are no exception. Teaching English in China has proved to be a great opportunity for many people looking to experience life in a different country. The pay is good, the culture is interesting, and there are plenty of opportunities for travel within China.
This blog gives you a glimpse into the life of an English teacher in China. On a typical day, a teacher of English will be doing the following:
Meeting students and fellow teachers
Meeting students and teachers is a normal part of a teacher’s day. There is a lot of interaction between teachers and students in China, as the schools are much more social. Teachers often get together at lunch to chat, play games, or just hang out. The rest of the day will be spent teaching students English, preparing lessons, and getting ready for classes.
As a way to interact with students, teachers create a variety of games and activities for students to participate in. For example, teachers may create a game where students have to describe something or make up a story using the words they hear. This is an easy way for students to practice their English while having fun.
Preparing lessons
Teachers are expected to prepare lessons for their students. This is especially true on school days when teachers must create structured lessons that are aligned with their school’s curriculum. Teachers may spend an hour or more preparing lessons, depending on how many classes they have each day.
The importance of creating lesson plans is often overlooked. But teachers who fail to plan their lessons are likely to spend a lot of time planning at the last minute, which can cause problems for both students and teachers. An organized teacher will advise you to take the following steps when preparing your lessons:
- -Plan your units and topics
- -Create a schedule for each unit or topic
- -Develop activities that support these plans
Facilitating group work among students
Another day-to-day operation of a teacher in China is to facilitate group work among their students. Collaboration is a big part of the Chinese curriculum. Teachers are responsible for creating and managing group activities. This includes ensuring that students work together, encouraging them to share their ideas, and helping them solve problems when they arise. Facilitating group work is a key part of being an effective teacher in China, especially when you’re new to the job.
Teachers are expected to be able to manage a classroom full of students, some of whom may not know how to work together. This can be challenging for foreign teachers who aren’t used to managing groups in this way. If you have experience working with groups of people, though, it shouldn’t be too difficult for you.
Setting aside time to help students that need extra help
Students process information differently. This means that some students will learn faster than others, and some may need extra help. If you’re a teacher in China, it’s likely that your day will have students who need extra help outside of class time. This could mean giving them homework to do on their own or having them work with another student who is more advanced.
It also means being able to give feedback about their progress in school. This can be difficult, especially if you aren’t used to giving feedback. However, it’s important that you include this in your daily routine because it can help students improve their skills in a fun and productive way. The best way to give feedback is by making sure that the student understands what they did wrong or right and then giving them tips on how to improve.
Commuting
Commuting is part of the daily routine when teaching English in China. You’ll need to be able to get from your home to the school, and then back again. You can choose from a variety of options, including buses and trains. Sometimes, the school provides somewhere to stay, but still, teachers have to figure their way to school.
China encourages public transport, so it’s easy to get around. You can use the metro or bus, but you may also want to rent a bike or scooter. The city of Shenzhen, for example, is home to many electric bicycles for hire, which are convenient for getting around the city without having to worry about traffic jams.
Either way, on a school day, teachers commute to and from school.
Conclusion
Teaching English in China is a rewarding experience, and the students are always eager to learn. The most important things you can do as an English teacher are to be friendly, patient, and caring toward your students. This way, they will be more inclined to learn more from you.
While a teacher’s day can be packed with a lot of different activities, it’s important to remember that your students are the most important part of your day. These five activities are just a basis for you to understand what a teacher’s day would look like.
It is important to remember that students can be demanding, and that might require you to get out of your comfort zone and do more. It can be tiring and stressful, but it’s also rewarding when you see your students make progress. The more time you spend with your students, the more they will learn.
