Preparing to come to China
Teach someone something: Teach English in China PLAN.
This was my exact summary I found in my 2004 journal to help me PLAN for my teaching experience in China. I think I did fairly well to check off most of these before I arrived in China.
Get Teaching Job in China
- update resume
- job search
- interview
- call teachers to ask them about the schools (legit Y/N?)
- sign contract
Leave Old Company
- tell company leaving
- leave company
Develop Teaching Skills
- Read grammar books (I was/am terrified of my poor grammar skills)
- Read (review) TESOL books
- Volunteer at ESL school
- Prepare and participate in lessons/teaching at that school
Prepare for Culture Shock
- Learn some Chinese (took a 10 week intro to Mandarin course)
- Learn a hobby (didn’t do this one)
- Read about culture
- Read the book Culture Shock (read a photocopied section)
Prepare Health Stuff
- Talk to friends
- Talk to family
- Get vaccinations
- Get physical (thought it was needed for visa - it isn’t really as still need to get one in China)
Logistics
- Move furniture/stuck to brother’s house (sorry, one year plan is now going on three!)
- Sell or throw out stuff
- Pack
- Cancel mail
- Get ticket
- Get medical insurance
- Get visa - type Z (work visa)
- save $1000
- Get Travellers Cheques (I travelled for a month first)
- Cancel/hold insurance in Canada
- Sell car
- Make mailing labels for postcards
I believe planning helped me to get off to a good start in China. I hope you can do the same.