Christmas was banned! Cancelled! Forbidden! Basically the Chinese government has told schools that they must focus on Chinese culture and as a result our school decided that there would be no celebrating Christmas of any kind, including the foreign teacher giving a lesson on the subject.
China Diaries: I’m Sorry, but Where Did This Year Go?
I can’t quite believe that December has come around so quickly, I feel like it was only last week I was on my way up to Harbin to celebrate New Year and see the famous Ice Festival but nope, it was a whole year ago!
TEFL Tip Tuesday: How To Structure an Introduction Lesson (Grade 1 – 3)
When I first arrived in China and asked the school what they wanted me to teach in my lessons the reply I got was simply; “Have fun, play games.” No topics, no vocab, nothing! From talking to other teachers this is a pretty common instruction and it can leave you feeling a bit lost...
China Diaries: “Where is my Chinese teacher?!”
1st of December - 7th December Posting this a day late from my phone as my VPN refuses to work on my computer! In China, more often than not, events that must take weeks of organising are something that foreign teachers find out about as they are happening. This means that it is very likely …
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China Diaries: This Was Almost a Disaster
Sunday night saw me locked out of my apartment after realising my key was not in my bag when I returned from the supermarket. The night before my first week back teaching in China!! This was almost a disaster...
China Diaries: Attack of the Giant Wasps
11th November - 16th November 2019 Monday marked a special holiday in China… Singles Day! This is a day where single people celebrate the fact they are single by buying themselves gifts in the many online sales that are put on for the holiday. It is similar to Black Friday in America except you are …
China Diaries: I’m Cursed!
I've never really been a superstitious person but this week might have changed my mind!
Myanmar to China: You Will Not Believe the Week I’ve Had!
It's been an eventful week travelling from Myanmar to China with a quick stop in Bangkok for my friend's birthday!!
TEFL Tip Tuesday: Top Ten Warmers and Coolers That Can Be Adapted To Any Topic.
Anyone who has studied TEFL will know how important warmers and coolers are; warmers get your students excited and energised for class and coolers keep them coming back for more! There’s no doubt that warmers and coolers are the bread that keep your English Lesson sandwich from falling apart but sometimes it can be hard …
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TEFL Tip Tuesday: How To Set Classroom Rules and Why They Are Important
Rules might make you feel like you are sucking the fun out of your classroom but they are absolutely vital in order to establish structure within your lesson. Without them it is going to be hard to have any fun at all!