Winter Camp at Bai Da Wei English School in North East China.
Every year thousands of people move away from their homelands to live and teach in foreign countries around the world. Why teach abroad? Hands down, it is the best way to broaden your horizons. There’s no better way to see the world, try different things, make money, learn about culture and learn about living an entirely different lifestyle which most people only dream about. Plus, there’s no shortage to the number of interesting and available jobs here in Asia. My teaching career started off in China, but within months, I was also singing professionally, doing radio work, book editing, television programs, commercials and modeling.
In some countries, like Taiwan, the pay is quite good and living expenses are low, which allow people to save money. In other countries, such as China, the pay might not be so high, but the benefits are awesome and travel is cheap. You’ll have plenty of time to take advantage of it. Either way, you can’t lose. An overwhelming number of people I meet here are able to use the market as a platform for their own passions and interests. Writers, artists and musicians often move to other countries to work. Being a writer, artist and musician and living in Asia has really given me and my work an edge that I might not have had in Canada. I have found that settling into a new place and meeting new people has sparked creative ideas and offered me inspiration that was otherwise unavailable back home.
You might stay for a year to see what it’s all about and decide it’s not for you, but I guarantee that you’ll see and learn and grow more in that year than at any other time of your life. Maybe you’ll end up staying longer, once your love affair with Asia has taken root. Then, your travels and experiences will start taking you further and further away from home. Whatever your reason for teaching abroad, your experience teaching away from home will change your life forever.
Expat. World Traveler and Culture Vulture. Adventurer.
ESL Teacher, Artist, Musician and Model. I've been living in Asia since 2003. Welcome to My Several Worlds.
Photo by: Joanna Rees
www.jorees.wordpress.com
Teaching in Asia is great.
New cultures, new ways of living. Less stress and a bit less hassles. It’s like living an adventure, and we haven’t traveled yet around too much.
Actually I would like to teach in China as well.
But they just want White people.
Hey! ALl the best!
Every day in Asia is an adventure as far as I’m concerned. Even now, after four years, my eyes are still filled with child-like wonder. Every day presents new challenges and new sights to be seen.
Unfortunately, you’re right. China has really started to crack down on who they’re bringing in to teach. When I first arrived in China, I met ESL teachers from all over the globe, such as Colombia, Singapore, Phillipines, Malaysia, South Africa, Nigeria, and Spain to name a few. These days, teachers have a much harder time finding jobs because so much of their teaching application rests on the color of their skin.
I once worked with a woman who was Australian-born Chinese. She didn’t speak a word of Mandarin. When she started teaching with us, parents immediately started pulling their kids out of her classes because they didn’t want a Chinese teacher teaching their child in a foreign language school. Having a white foreign teacher is a status symbol in Northern China, and having a good-looking white teacher is even more coveted. Teachers aren’t always chosen for their teaching credentials, which is really sad. There’s absolutely no harm in having different English accents in the classroom. In my opinion, if a student is exposed to several English accents, it makes them a better student all around.
Anyways, I’ve rambled long enough. Many thanks for your comments and kind wishes.
I have to agree with your comments about racism and the cultural benefits of traveling abroad. Moreover, I would like to hear more stories about your travels and teaching.
This isn’t going to be a problem for me Jo. I’ve got plenty more where this came from. Thanks for your continuing support and interest!