Teaching and Learning Overseas: ESL, China

In late August of 2005, I moved to China for 10 months. I wanted to travel and do something productive at the same time, so I decided to teach English as a second language.

Fate led me to Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, which is just three hours south of Beijing by railway. Shijiazhuang is a large city of about 13 million people. I did not speak Chinese, but that did not worry me. I was excited to learn about a new culture.

Surprisingly, I met a number of people who spoke English. At the college where I taught oral English, the students spoke very well. In China, children start learning English in grade school; the first generation of English speakers are about thirty years old now.

I knew nothing about China before I went there. I knew nothing of my school, my job, my students, the other foreigners that were there, the city, the culture, the lifestyle, or the customs. I went there with no expectations, and found it more wonderful than I could have possibly imagined.
Every day was an adventure. I had to try to order food from a menu, ride a bus to the grocery store, use the public restroom, find my way to the park, etc. These little things that we do every day in America were fun challenges and wild obstacle courses that made me feel so alive.

Fortunately for me, I did not have to explore all by myself. I lived with eight other Americans. We became a small family. I went to China alone, but was lucky to find good friends to share my time and experiences with.

My students were amazing. I loved them most of all. They treated me like a guest. I was well cared for. While I taught them about America, they taught me all about China – the culture, the way of life, the customs, and even a bit of the language.

Through my experience in China, I learned that appreciation for another culture comes from understanding. Sharing that experience makes it real. Living that reality makes it amazing. Accepting help from others makes it possible.