From the NHS to China: Malcolm’s TEFL story
Malcolm’s TEFL Story From the NHS to China, looking for a long-term career or experience for the future, teaching in a small city.
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Why I chose TEFL
Not all of us are looking for a long-term career or experience for the future - some of us already bring these with us. But, like most others, we are looking for something different, a change, a challenge. After working for many years for the National Health Service, that was the situation I was in.
I had visited China as a tourist a few times and loved everything about it: the people, the noise, the hustle and bustle, the complete change in culture from that in the West, the sheer vastness of the country, and the diversity of its people.
Where I went and what I did
I managed to land a job in Shandong province, a part of the country where I had no previous experience. My job was as a homeroom teacher in the primary department of a large international school (approx. 4500 students).
The school's management team well organised my introduction to the school, my class, and my teaching schedule. They gave me ample opportunity to get acclimatised to my duties. My first lesson in front of a class of 8-year-olds was more than a bit daunting, but staff and students alike were very happy to welcome the newest foreign teacher recruit.
One mum asked me, in English, if I liked beer. That wasn’t a question I was expecting.
During the first week, there were many occasions when a happy mass of students mobbed me - and not always from my own class - all eager to know my name and practise their English on me. At the end of the first week, I got to meet the parents of my students, all delighted that their kids had a new foreign teacher. Thank goodness for Google Translate! However, one mum asked me, in English, if I liked beer. That wasn’t a question I was expecting.
I was told I would be teaching in a small city, but 8 million people seemed quite a lot to me. The size of the country and population are things that you cannot compare with those of the UK. In so many places, you could still find the familiar names—McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, H&M, etc. In the two years I have been here, the Western influence has spread even further.
Reflection and future plans
I really love my job here—it is enjoyable and taxing without too much stress. The kids are a pleasure, great fun, and very loving. Living here is great, too, and renting a large apartment is very cheap, as is eating out. We are very fortunate where I am to have an authentic Italian-run restaurant with the best Italian food I have tasted outside of Rome.
Like others who take this kind of job, I wanted to incorporate travelling, exploring, and teaching. Thanks to the fantastic bullet train, reaching many places in China is very easy and affordable. Shanghai and Beijing are just a few hours away, so they’re very doable any weekend. A two-month break for summer and a month break for Chinese New Year allows the opportunity to go back home or explore other parts of Asia - the destinations being almost endless. Since I arrived here, I have enjoyed trips to Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.
If anyone were to ask for my advice, I would most certainly say to take the plunge. The job itself is very fulfilling, the rewards being far more than just financial. China may be a long way from where you live, but it is a comfortable place to live. You can find most things you would want in the UK… except maybe Branston pickle.
We far more often regret what we don’t do rather than what we do. If anyone would like to ask any questions or to enquire about vacancies at my school, I would be very happy to help and can be contacted at malcolm2106@gmail.com.
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4.6 out of 5 based on 9,674 reviews
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