Respect Chinese

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In 2010, I was on a cultural fact-finding mission. While living as an ex-pat in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, I decided I would like to teach English to Chinese students. I thought it would be a fun, constructive way to spend my extra time while my husband was working. So, I took the challenge! I call this a challenge because I had no prior ESL experience at the time. I soon found that understanding the Chinese culture was going to become a priority. Is sensitivity to the Chinese cultural norms significant in teaching ESL in China? A very important puzzle piece in successful teaching in China is defined by their culture. Learning about it and implementing it in my teaching classes smoothed many a...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences As someone whose parents and grandparents are ethnically Chinese, but lived in Canada ever since I can remember, there has always been a disconnect in terms of the two cultures I am stuck between. I hope to use my background as an advantage to find TEFL jobs in China, and this task will be part of my research to learn about the problems learners and I may face while engaging in English lessons. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joseph Kevin Y. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Speaking is a dominant skill in communication; even individuals who have never taken English lessons may know some words or phrases due to pop culture...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences It is generally agreed that education is one of the most important issues in every country these days and China is no exception. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ekaterina G. It’s a well-known fact that China is the most populated country in the world with a long and mysterious history, rich and varied culture. China recognizes 55 ethnic minority groups within the country in addition to the Han majority. Standard Mandarin is the only official language, though there are more than 200 hundred living languages spoken all over the country. While being China’s capital, political and cultural center, Beijing is also known as a melting pot where you can meet the representative of almost each...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas After China adopted the Open Door Policy, the English language not only gained popularity but also became indispensable in international communication and trade. It was introduced in public schools as an obligatory foreign language and English teaching centers started spreading across the country. Even though Chinese people approach learning English with a great dose of enthusiasm, it poses several challenges, both linguistic and cultural. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Weronika S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Chinese language (Mandarin) is an example of Sino-Tibetan language, whereas English belongs to the Indo-European...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences For the past twenty years, I have had the pleasure of teaching English to Chinese students of all ages in both Taiwan and mainland China. The following are my observations: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Eugene E. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. If one were to argue that Socrates was the beginning of modern Western Civilization, one could easily surmise that that modern Chinese civilization has its roots in the teachings of Confucius. While Socrates told his students that the unexamined life was not worth living and that students should question everything, even their teacher; the opposite is true with the teaching of...  [Read more]

Kavinna Batra Alumni Experiences There has been a long ongoing debate over parenting styles and about its critical impact on a child's emotional development, academic performance, self-confidence, and the ability to face life's challenges. The debate is mainly between eastern and western cultures. Would a new-age parent prohibit their children from watching television and ask them to choose an extracurricular activity instead? This is something that the author of the bestselling Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (2011), who is also a Chinese professor at Yale Law School forbade her two daughters from doing. Her books compare the differences between American “soft” parenting and Asian parenting. There are two types of parenting styles. The...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. Cultural Differences in Beijing 3. Importance of Understanding Cultural Aspects 4. Tips for Teaching English in Beijing Teaching English in Beijing can be a rewarding and enriching experience for educators looking to immerse themselves in a vibrant culture while making a positive impact on students' lives. As the capital city of China, Beijing offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, making it an exciting destination for English teachers from around the world. However, it is essential to understand and navigate the cultural differences that may arise when teaching in Beijing to ensure a successful and fulfilling teaching experience. Beijing, like many other cities in China, has its own set of cultural norms and practices that may differ from those in Western...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Discipline, according to Fields, Perry & Fields, (p.4, 2010) can be regarded as helping the children or students to learn personal responsibility for their behavior and to judge between right and wrong for themselves. This definition, apart from a common understanding of the discipline, tells the importance of guidance as to the proactive measure of punishment. To establish discipline, that is to say, establish guidance, it is vital to take necessary precautions and set up the physical and emotional dimension of the classroom. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joseph Veysel Y. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First of all,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Self-confidence has been seen as a major contributor to a person learning a language. As a teacher and a counselor, I agree with Jack Welch’s quote: Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do because then they will act. Confidence exists of three realms: who I am, what I can learn, and what I can do. These are steps that can be taken to help Chinese Business English students improve confidence in these realms. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate William N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Self-confidence is the total of attributes which enable the use of acquiring knowledge and application of...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. Importance of ESL Teaching in China 3. Cultural Considerations 4. Classroom Management Tips Welcome to our guide on ESL teaching tips for China provided by ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training). China is a popular destination for English teachers due to the high demand for English language education. In this guide, we will explore the importance of ESL teaching in China, cultural considerations to keep in mind, effective classroom management tips, teaching strategies, and professional development opportunities for ESL teachers in China. English language proficiency is highly valued in China as it is seen as a key skill for academic and professional success. With the increasing globalization of business and education, there is a growing demand for English teachers...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Destinations If you want to be a TEFL teacher, it is important to make sure you are as well prepared as you can possibly be before entering a classroom. It is equally important to have a good understanding of the country and culture you are hoping to make your home while you are teaching. Below I look at some important aspects of etiquette in different countries in Asia. Teachers hold a position of respect in many Asian countries and are expected to behave in a way that reflects that respect. Dress for teachers tends to be formal and women should avoid wearing anything too revealing. Although many locals understand a foreign TEFL teacher’s lack of understanding about local customs, taking the time to learn and show interest can make a...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Malaysia is located in South East Asia which occupies parts of the Malay Peninsula and some part of the Borneo Island. These two lands are separated by the South China Sea It was once colonized by the British from the 18th century until it gained its independence in 1957 as the Federation of Malaya and later on formed Malaysia with joining of the North Borneo, Sarawak in 1963. Bahasa Melayu commonly known as the Malay Language is the national language of the country while English becomes the second language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Karibo B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In the early 18th century, many Malaysian...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Establishing rapport with students is a crucial part of any successful teacher because it allows teachers to teach their students more effectively and in different ways. Rapport is defined as, "the ability to maintain harmonious relationships based on affinity...is more colloquially thought of as what happens when two people “click”—they connect, interact well, and respond to each other favorably" (Weimer, facultyfocus.com). This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dominic D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. This "click" is the ability of a teacher to connect with a student to ensure that motivation is always kept high. If a...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In China, there is the option to teach in either private or public institutions. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Public institutions such as universities tend to be well resourced with time set aside for lesson planning but are less well paid than their private counterparts. Although this appears to be balanced, as those who work at the universities receive more benefits and a more generous holiday allowance that allows the university teachers to make the most of being in China with ample opportunity to explore. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Emma R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. To teach at a university...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Every teacher’s goal is to be effective in the classroom and help students learn. Educators want their students to be eager and engaged. Humor is an important aspect of teaching and has the power to fuel that engagement. This paper will attempt to show the value of humor in the classroom and how humor enhances learning, regardless of the culture or country in which a person is teaching. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Melynie T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. My first introduction to teaching English in Taiwan was when I was called into the Principal’s office with complaints from the parents that their children were not...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Walking into a brand-new class, especially as a new teacher, can be very intimidating. Being prepared with the proper principles, tools, and attitude goes a long way when dealing with the first-class up through to the final exam. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mark R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Relationships matter. Building a relationship with your students is the basic foundation of teaching. If a teacher does not have a relationship with their students, then having students succeed in learning will be infinitely more difficult. The best way to communicate anything is through the basis of the relationship. If you...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I have a great fascination and interest to teach English as well as proper study techniques to students of all ages. This next year, I plan on moving to China to teach English to young children. When contemplating these future endeavors, I plan on implementing songs as a method to help young children learn English. Singing songs is a fun, interactive method that engages the attention of children. When teaching children, I argue that singing songs is a great method to cultivate and maintain a strong foundation in their English language level. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Oni M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Young children...  [Read more]

  The huge popularity of tefl in China means that Zhuhai has become a very popular city in which to gain a tefl teaching certificate. The city is relatively new and affords visitors a view into modern Chinese culture, its diversity and history. Taking a course here truly represents a unique opportunity to experience the real side of China. Centrally located, Zhuhai is only 70 miles away from Guangzhou, 36 miles away from Hong Kong and Macao sits on Zhuhai’s southern border. The city is situated in an outstanding location with great scenery, a clean environment and a rather welcoming coastline. These are just some of the great reasons why our trainees give it such high praise. Zhuhai is a seaside resort city where flowers bloom year round. Its natural environment and attractive...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Admittedly, learning grammar may not be the most appealing part when learning a new language. It usually connects with conjugations, tenses and in some languages, the position of the verbs, for example, German. Grammar itself can cause a huge problem for both the teacher and students to carry out the language class smoothly. People might argue that unconscious imitation is the best approach to learning a language since it is the most natural way. I would like to say this is the idealist method. Truth speaking, not many students are able to enjoy the bilingual or even multi-lingual background. Moreover, even with the mother tongue, people will encounter grammar courses in school. This essay focuses on the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Many people think that teachers are just people with knowledge and teach; however, teachers are way more than that. There is a Chinese old saying, “Being a teacher for one day, respect them as a father for life.” What this means is that teachers usually have many responsibilities, just like students’ parents. Most of the time, teachers need to adapt to various roles in different situations during the class or even outside of the class. The five main roles that teachers play are instructor, controller, role model, and counselor. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yang L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. When most people...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Behind every successful company or sports team, there is an efficient leader. One who is capable of executing the team’s goals and vision to the maximum capacity. A teacher is no different. A successful teacher is capable of elevating the performance of his or her students. In this summative task, I will discuss the different roles a teacher must perform and why they are essential to the job. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Matthew B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In my former profession, I was a successful manager of a defense contracting firm in Virginia (USA). In my role as a supply chain manager, I wore many...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Prior to starting a class, an English teacher needs to take into consideration many parameters. How many students will I have to teach? How old are they? What are their levels? What knowledge did they already acquire in terms of vocabulary and grammar? What are their nationalities? In this blog post, we are going to focus on the problems that an English teacher can encounter when teaching to students of different nationalities and cultures. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Manon L. First of all, it is important to define what a monolingual class and a multilingual class are. Monolingual students are students who all have the same native language. For example, teaching English to Thai...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences As a teacher of grade 2 at an international school in Shenzhen, China, my classroom management has many components. Educators require both teaching skills and classroom management skills because strong classroom management creates a safe environment for students to learn with joy. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate YunXiang C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First, a classroom agreement is a component of my classroom management plan. At the beginning of the semester, students collaborated and agreed upon the rules. Such rules included: listen when someone is speaking; respect others; be caring; no running in the hallway or...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences To be completely honest with you, I didn´t think that a TEFL course would benefit me significantly or improve my teaching until I took one. I have studied eight languages on three continents and I also speak four languages daily. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sami T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I have studied in top universities for years and worked as a teacher, coach, educator, trainer, international business manager and team leader for higher education publishers. "Aren't these courses very expensive and what could I possibly learn?", I asked myself… It wasn't until the online company that I have been working...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There is an ancient Chinese quote which says: "Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I." - We can apply this old quote to our days, even though our challenges may be more extensive. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rodrigo O. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Today anyone can go through the web and seek information; this made the task of teaching a bit harder since we have to deal with an immediate gain of information. It is easy to open a Wikipedia article and just read what happened 100 years ago somewhere, but it is the teacher's task to involve the students, to connect the facts, to know details...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas During my lifetime the world has achieved a level of globalization that, fifty years ago, would have been hard to believe. The part that the English language has played in the development of globalization is pivotal. As an international airline employee who has conducted business throughout the world, I can personally attest to its current importance. English is the de facto language of many international corporations, industries, international non-governmental organizations, and scientific institutions. The English language was not always destined to play such a pivotal role in world affairs. Throughout history, other languages such as Latin, Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese), Spanish, French German and Russian (to...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas English is, without a doubt, the global language of business, and the ever-increasing globalization of the world economy means that the vast majority of people working in the business world today are required to show some fluency in the language to communicate effectively with clients, partners or colleagues. Business English commonly refers to the formal English language that is used in a business context, encompassing all types of communication (presenting, reporting, discussing, negotiating, communicating via phone/email, etc.) as well as any business-specific vocabulary. However one can learn it only after having achieved a decent fluency in general English. Knowledge of informal language including slang and...  [Read more]

1. Understanding the Language Landscape in Hong Kong 2. Tailoring Your Teaching Approach to Hong Kong 3. Cultural Sensitivity and Communication 4. Making the Most of Teaching Opportunities in Hong Kong Hong Kong is a vibrant city known for its bustling streets, towering skyscrapers, and rich cultural heritage. As an English teacher in this dynamic metropolis, it is important to understand the unique language landscape and adapt your teaching approach to suit the needs of your students. By incorporating cultural sensitivity and effective communication strategies into your lessons, you can create a positive and engaging learning environment that fosters language acquisition and cultural exchange. Hong Kong is a multilingual society where Cantonese is the predominant language spoken by the...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. Qualifications and Certifications 3. Teaching Experience 4. Language Proficiency Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in China is a rewarding opportunity for educators looking to immerse themselves in a rich cultural experience while imparting valuable language skills to eager learners. With a growing demand for proficient English teachers in China, it is essential for aspiring ESL teachers to meet certain requirements to qualify for teaching positions in the country. One of the primary requirements for ESL teachers in China is obtaining a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification. These certifications demonstrate that the teacher has received proper training in English language teaching...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I first understood the role of a teacher during the second grade and knew then that I wanted to be just like my teacher, Mrs. Atkinson. She was the first to see my real character and hidden potential through the windows to my world, my eyes. I believe that teachers were made with eyes that would not only see things for what they are but for what they could become and could achieve. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Michelle S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The teaching profession is seen as a very noble profession, as it represents positive change and growth. Teachers on a whole have gained the respect of others to the...  [Read more]