Back to school...

19th November 2011

I have been in China for just under two months and I can’t begin to explain the experiences I have had and the things seen. Unless you have been here for a period of time I don’t think you can understand what life in China is really like. It’s been an emotional ride and incredibly challenging. 

But, I have done it, I’m here and I’m a full time teacher. I have achieved the goal I set myself almost one year ago and for that I’m proud.

My first week of teaching wasn’t exactly smooth. Thrown directly into the deep end, I was given a class of 12 to teach with little instruction, training or supervision. Not only am I the only foreign teacher of the class but I’m also the lead teacher of a team of four Chinese, expected to lead and delegate accordingly. I was petrified and challenged in every way possible. TEFL certainly doesn’t teach you how teach a three year old to eat properly or ‘Nio Nio’ (pee pee) in a toilet and not their pants! By Friday I was seriously questioning my decision to do this, I was scared and way out of my league, I just wanted to run away. However after a weekend of thought and self- prep talk, I came into week two more prepared and with new tactics to get the kids on side. Generally, teaching kids so young is hard work. They have little understanding of the world and when they don’t understand a word you say, it’s ten times as hard to explain. But I am learning fast. A hug and a kiss has no language barrier and at times, going Super Nanny with the naughty chair means all the difference between them seeing you as a teacher rather than a play friend.

After two weeks, I’m in love with my class and am getting some incredible work experience I would never have been able to get in the UK. This week, I taught about Thanksgiving. We made Indian headbands, had a turkey hunt and a field trip to the local horse ranch (also and experience!) It’s hard work but also fun.

Alongside the stress of the classroom, there has been a fight for a good home with all the perks as agreed in my contract. Here, simple issues escalate into bigger problems and become incredibly frustrating due to the communication barrier. I have spent two weeks listening to a group of Chinese argue, negotiate and discuss my apartment, heating and internet. I have had to push for things and argue my rights which has brought out a side to me I didn’t know existed. But now, I have a very nice apartment (Chinese style) and can finally settle. I’m hoping the hard part is over.

There has been so many times since I came to China that I have felt the need to run away. Being alone in a country so different from my own, I have been pushed past my comfort zone in so many different ways. I came here to be challenged, to face my own fears, my insecurities that I otherwise wouldn’t  face.

I can honestly say that since arriving here, that’s exactly what I've done.