Teaching Context
For my research, I chose the path of " A LINC instructor moving to China to teach EFL."
I think that for someone who has been teaching newcomers in Canada for a while and then moving to China to teach English will be entirely different.
For starters, English instructors teaching in a context where the learners are exposed 24/7 to the English language is much easier than teaching in a setting where the English language is only used in a classroom for a short length of time. As a LINC instructor, you should also know that the level of motivation for your learners in China will be different than for those learners living in Canada. I guess it will be a matter of keeping things interesting.
Anyway, this is what I found about transitioning to teach English in China.
According to my findings, China only hires instructors with their TESL or TEFL certification. Teachers who have taught in China make the following recommendations: Review your contract with the company that's hiring you - make sure the terms of that contract are satisfying and precise like the salary, length of the contract, and a place to live - Will the company cover rent expenses or not?
The second most challenging obstacle that ESL teachers face when they go to China to teach English is the Language. Learning Mandarin is not easy, but not impossible either. Many instructors who have taught in China suggest to take Mandarin lessons and/or hire a tutor to teach you the fundamental ways of communication. It will make your life easier while living there.
Also, another thing to consider when teaching English in China is the difference in classroom size and the length of time you have to teach. Classrooms in China can consist between 29 - 35 students, and they do not consider the level of English of each student to form the class. Many teachers who have experienced this expressed to be very difficult as there can be students who can barely utter words in English to students who can construct full sentences. The challenge here is to keep everyone interested in the subject and hope for those lower levels to retain and learn something at the end.
In addition to the above, some teachers expressed that it is not easy to become or feel part of the staff of the school you work at. They say that it is difficult to make connections with Chinese teachers as they usually and often keep things to themselves, so you feel like you cannot ask for support or feedback from anyone; therefore, you have to pretty much figure things out on your own.
In overall, most of the ESL teachers who had the opportunity to teach in China, have had a great experience. Regardless of all the challenges they faced, they managed to embrace the language, culture, and traditions so they could feel part of it and not excluded during their stay.
I think when you become part of a culture that is not yours, you have to either embrace it or be miserable in it. I would choose to embrace it and make the best of it just like the teachers I mentioned above. I did it once when I came to Canada, and I'd definitely do it again if the opportunity presents in the future.
Resources:
1) Government Of Canada, Evaluation of the Language Instruction For Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program, retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/reports-statistics/evaluations/language-instruction-newcomers-canada-2010/conclusions.html
2) Mosaic, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, retrieved from https://www.mosaicbc.org/services/learning-english/linc/
3) Gold Star, TEFL Recruitment, Talking to Teachers, Video interviews with Teachers in China, retrieved from https://goldstarteachers.com/video-interviews-esl-teachers-china/
4) OnTESL/About Us, Teaching English in China Review, retrieved from https://ontesol.com/ontesol-review/teaching-english-china-review/
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