Expats share teaching experiences in China

　　For those who want to be an English teacher in China, a club launched last Friday at the Bookworm by the Teacher Development Forum (TDF) could be an opportunity to get information. Eight members of TDF, a community of ESL, or English as a second language, teachers in Beijing gave speeches on where and how to get a teaching job.

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　　“As a non-profit organizaion, we hope to support more English teachers in China,” Keith O’ Hare, an organizer of TDF China, saidThe speakers were all experienced teachers working in Chinese universities, companies, middle schools and language training centers; some had taught in more than three Chinese schools.

　　“Teaching in China, you could expect a class of more than 40 students,” O’Hare saiRichard Janosy, member of TDF, who has taught in China for four years, believes that working for a Chinese company is a wonderful experience which can offer foreigners insight into China.

　　“Your relationship here with your workmates can complete your Chinese experience with lnguage and culture,” Janosy said.However, Janosy, who currently works as an English trainer in a state-owned enterprise, feels uncomfortable sometimes. “They (Chinese employers) are not sure what to do with you. Youneed to be creative but can’t always change things,” he saidSome experienced teachers had their own tips in teaching Chinese students. O’Hare suggested that English teachers follow the students’ grammar books, but in a conversational way. “It’s better to learn some Chinese, and then you can understand why students experience difficuin learning a foreign language,” Janosy added During the forum, TDF also recommended some websites to help with the ESL teaching job search.