crabbybohs870 Dec 23, 2014 Comments(4)
Hey guys, My name is Nick, I am a TEFL teacher at a school in Nantong, Jiangsu. It's a prefecture level city up the river from Shanghai. Like many of you (at least I assume!), you will have some time off in February. I am really keen on doing some adventuring since this will be the longest stretch of time off this school is going to give me for ... Read More>>
airyk Sep 24, 2014 Comments(6)
I got dengue fever a few weeks ago, and I want to write about my experience, but it’s hard. It was traumatic. There were times when I wondered if I would die. Times when I knew I would die Most people do not die from dengue, but even so what happens to your body is scary. This is what happens if someone gets dengue. The fever rages, you ... Read More>>
bobby_7 Jun 19, 2014 Comments(5)
Nobody ever mentions how steep the Great Wall of China is. You hear a lot about its age and its length, but the sheer vertical drop? Not so much. It doesn't look all that intimidating from the pictures, either, flanked by red-gold foliage or dusted with snow, lazily weaving in and out of view along the rolling peaks of China's northern frontier. ... Read More>>
maymore Jan 10, 2014
If you want to spend more time in China, want a multiple entry, or need to have a different visa type, you can - in many circumstances – apply within China. Renewing a foreign visa in China requires a bit more paperwork than other countries. This guide we’ll hopefully help speed up the process for you. About Tourist (L) Visa’s ... Read More>>
hemubhati Nov 07, 2013
China is an economic giant now, second only to the USA in wealth. Millions of expats from all across the world are therefore entering the country as jobholders or small entrepreneurs. However, most of them face some difficulty when it comes to the question of health. There are very few Chinese hospitals that are properly equipped as per Western ... Read More>>
littlemissmoo Sep 25, 2013
Boom! My 15 minutes of fame are over. Demoted from the hallowed "Featured Blog" spot, I will now linger in Community Blogs and be forgotten…or not!? To those who are still logging in for alien bits and bobs, I extend a big extraterrestrial hug. A special extraterrestrial hug goes out to my mother who was quick to point out that I misspelt ... Read More>>
sosolin86 Sep 22, 2013
Visiting popular tourists sites around China is always interesting, but sometimes it’s not the attraction itself that leaves an impression but the Chinese tourists you encountered there. That at least has been my experience from travelling in China. The first time I encountered throngs of Chinese tourists was at Jingshan Park in Beijing. ... Read More>>
easyrider Jun 24, 2013 Comments(2)
I know some of you are probably much better at this teaching ordeal than I am, though I can safely say that I enjoy my job a hell of a lot and would just like to take the time to share a few fun teaching games that I love to use in my classes. They’re more focused on young learners, and lean towards TPR (total physical response), so ... Read More>>
darkstar1 Jun 21, 2013 Comments(1)
It was about October last year that I spent over 2,000 RMB to sign up for a year pass swimming card at the Beijing Olympic Sports Centre which allowed me to swim 80 times. I did the maths on the spot and calculated that it added up to 25 RMB a swim if I used the entire card up. Of course, that would mean I would have to go swimming at least ... Read More>>
Angela.Color Jun 05, 2013 Comments(2)
All online and software-based Chinese language program makers claim that their products are best. The fact is, however, that none of them are necessarily the best. Certain programs work better for certain people. And different programs are better suited for accomplishing different learning goals. To get the best program for you, you need to be ... Read More>>
Samsara May 31, 2013 Comments(24)
Chinese Self-Perception by Samsara When a Chinese person asks you for your impressions of their culture, they already have an image in their mind of what their culture is, and they are not expecting to update or expand it. They would like you to confirm their existing beliefs, and nothing else. They need to be reassured that Chinese food is ... Read More>>
arnieinchina May 25, 2013
If you are not okay with using squat toilets, (rural) China may not be for you. If you are not okay with having to dodge other people’s gob, are not okay with your neighbours above spitting onto your balcony or windows below, or are not okay with developing this practice yourself in the privacy of your own home as a result of the ... Read More>>
arnieinchina May 24, 2013 Comments(1)
That would be me folks. It is getting to a point where I am thinking of putting make-up on and straightening my hair before I go for my afternoon walks on the weekend. I get my name shouted from apartments, stores, passing vehicles and I get stopped everywhere I go these days – even by the students’ parents. I have never signed my ... Read More>>
arnieinchina May 24, 2013 Comments(1)
I don't know why I always think Van Morrison did this song, but he never did. It was originally done by King Harvest in 1972 and then Toploader did a cover version in 2000. Anyway, you will have either version (depending on your age) playing in your head when you walk down the streets of China - or one of four Dancing in the Street versions. ... Read More>>
arnieinchina May 24, 2013 Comments(1)
I am constantly scrutinised and complimented by both the students and the teachers when it comes to my appearance and wardrobe. Both the students (as young as they are) and the teachers are very observant, and any slight change I make is noted by them. If, for, example, I wear my hair up as opposed to down, or in a ponytail instead of a roll, ... Read More>>
younga May 21, 2013
I flew to China to teach English in 2011. I taught in a quaint, rural University with a nearby village called Majia. I spent the first few months exploring, finding my way around the various vendors in the market place. After being there for 4 months, I became adventurous. Amongst the fish vendors, I noticed large frogs contained in a net. What ... Read More>>
darkstar1 May 20, 2013 Comments(2)
As an on and off teacher in China for several years, I’ve met a fair share of different students, been treated and scammed equally by different schools, and have of course come across a varied selection of teachers; with some leaving me inspired and some leaving me grateful that I haven’t (yet) gone down the path of a ... Read More>>
DaqingDevil May 17, 2013 Comments(2)
Last Monday I took two of my fellow teachers, 2 sisters from Georgia, USA, and my Chinese assistant to a nice restaurant for lunch. And the name of the restaurant? Australia!! Ever since I moved to Longfeng I have been intrigued by the name seeing as I come from 0Z. The first time I saw it I popped in and asked to see the menu. The place is ... Read More>>
DaqingDevil May 13, 2013
The central town square / park they have here across the road from my apartment block is the gathering place for the local community. At this town square there is a large upraised, concreted, rectangular central area. The area is floodlit and there is a small house like building in the middle of one of the longer sides of this rectangle and from ... Read More>>
wallybenn May 12, 2013 Comments(1)
From a very early stage in my life, foreign cultures and traditions from all over the world fascinated me, a factor that contributed to me becoming a very ardent reader. By the time I was eight, I had already become a bookworm, delving myself into historical literature with the sole purpose of understanding the origins of various ethinic groups ... Read More>>
Hylith May 12, 2013 Comments(2)
If you are an expat in China, then we probably share a lot in common. Perhaps like you, I first came to China because I was tired with life back home in Canada. Things were predictable, systematic and at most times... boring. I wanted something new, and seven years ago... teaching English in China seemed like the best decision to change my life. ... Read More>>
DaqingDevil May 11, 2013 Comments(1)
In addition to my English classes I was asked to start a local choir probably because I play the guitar. Initially I thought this would be a good idea and when the kids were given the option of joining the class there was an almighty rush. When I had the children assembled for the first class I decided to teach them a simple song and settled on ... Read More>>
bloggerhead May 10, 2013 Comments(3)
Maybe I’ll never know how I got into that situation. All I knew was that I was running through the streets of Dongguan in my underwear, a cell phone in one hand and a can of beer in the other. I was ninety percent sure that the police were after me, but I couldn’t be positive. It’s hard to know exactly what to think when coming ... Read More>>
mygoodadvice May 09, 2013
Hi there, If you are looking for an English teaching job in China, I hope you can read about the following: 1. Schools usually have two terms, one is from March 1 to the end of June and the other is from September 1 to the end of December, you may have to apply for them at the proper time. Right now it is time to apply for a job starting in ... Read More>>
mArtiAn May 09, 2013 Comments(4)
People come to China from a number of different countries and for a variety of reasons (even if the generalized notion ‘is’ that all foreigners are Americans, here to find Chinese wives) and the numbers of those seeking to visit China for lengthy periods or even to find a new home here has increased, according to one eChinacities ... Read More>>