“That’s our winning salad” – CJ Winter

Jay Fonow - United States
This is my second time coming to China. My previous experience involved working in a corporate office and this is a much nicer experience. It is very rewarding to help motivated and very personable students achieve their goal of mastering the English language. Beijing is a vibrant city that will not leave you bored, offering fantastic food, art, and entertainment. The other staff members are supportive and welcoming. I have also found the residents of Beijing to offer foreigners exceptional hospitality.

Andrea Niehaus - United States
Venturing off to China has been quite a trip for me. This is my first time traveling to China or to any other country for an extensive amount of time. I felt that living and working in China would enable me to be exposed to the language, culture and history that China has to offer. For the most part I was right. The reception I received was warm and friendly. The students here are eager to make friends and to discuss their cultural heritage. In addition to extending various social invitations, many have also offered to accompany me to historic sites and to act as tour guides. The staff has also been friendly and very helpful in giving tips and information that have helped make the transition to life in China much easier. Unfortunately, like any job, teaching is quite time consuming and there are times it is hard to go to work while the excitement of China is bustling outside waiting to be explored. There are however, plenty of opportunities to do things and to go places before the shift begins in the afternoon and on the weekends.

Matt Baker – United States
When I first arrived tired and late the World Link Education representatives were a very visible and welcome sight at the Beijing airport. During the ride to our apartments we were given a nice orientation package and some good information concerning the coming days. When we arrived at Fu Li Cheng apartments I was very impressed by the beauty of the apartment complex. The buildings were surrounded by trees, grass, ponds, small Greek style amphitheaters, and there was a menagerie of birds wandering about. The next day we were shown around Real Life English at Jian Wai SOHO and introduced to the other teachers. The office had a nice relaxed and comfortable, yet professional, feeling. A few days later we began teaching and a month has already flown by. Working at Real Life keeps me busy and the scheduling can be a bit hectic, but overall my experience here has been very positive. Hopefully, it will continue to be positive as I become more familiar and comfortable in my new surroundings.

Jennifer and RLE students making potato salad for English Corner	James and his team, proud of their creations – English Corner	Megan showing how it’s done for Salsa Night (English Corner)

The interesting thing about teaching English to the corporate students is that lessons are scheduled outside of normal office hours. Therefore you’ll find the secretaries and consultants sacrificing their lunch hour to improve their written and spoken English. Often corporate classes start at 17:30 and are taught at the client’s offices in a boardroom or meeting room.

Hilton employees celebrating graduation

With one of our latest corporate clients the advanced class has six months of improving their presentation skills to look forward to. Not only will they concentrate on their speaking, but at the end of their contract they will have completed a myriad of presentations, covering elements such as assessing your audience, presentation structure, body language and using visual aids.

RLE teachers and the Hilton Intensive workshop group

Corporate clients are shared between teachers and often times a teacher returns from a corporate class, enthused and delighted by the lesson just taught. Every class is a learning opportunity – for students and teachers alike. It is truly amazing and gratifying to witness the blossoming of confident English-speaking Chinese employees.

Nick Pither - United Kingdom
Travel Enthusiast and Landscape Architect
Name: Nick Pither
Country of Residence: England
Profession: Landscape Architect
Hobbies: Taijiquan, photography, music

1. Was this your first time in China?
Yes.

2. Why did you decide to teach English to Chinese in Beijing?
I had enjoyed studying to become, and subsequently practicing as, a Landscape Architect, but had become increasingly aware of employer pressure directing me into a different role from which I had trained. Not being satisfied with this, and perhaps in an attempt to revitalise my feelings towards a profession for which I had been studying for eleven years, I decided that I needed a career change.
My interest in the English language and its vocabulary prompted me to teach English specifically, as I anticipated that it would significantly enhance my understanding of the language at all levels. But why China? Mainly as a consequence of my interest in Taijiquan and Eastern philosophy; I felt that living in China would provide me with ample opportunity to further explore my interests, and provide me with the context on which I could base my studies

3. How did you find your teaching experience in Beijing?
Most encountered difficulties regarding teaching have already been met and overcome by others, so as long as one remains unafraid to solicit advice or accept constructive criticism, there isn¡¯t really any problem and it's great fun. At a more personal level, the roles of student and teacher have been frequently reversed in my classroom so I have been privileged to play a part in forging what I hope will be both strong and lasting personal ties - perhaps one of the deepest forms of cultural exchange available.

4. How did you like Beijing?
I try to get out of Beijing as often as possible. It's not that I don't like it here - I love my everyday life "playing" Taiji in Ri Tan park and trying as much of the bewildering diversity of food as I can. I'll even admit to loving the crowded public transport system and to actually working, but any more than two weekends in the city and I begin to forget why I came to China - to do something as far removed as I possibly could from my life back home.

5. What did you find most interesting about your time in China?
I couldn't really say, as my opinion changes on a weekly, if not daily basis. At the moment, I'm really interested in food, and find I am addicted to Spicy Squid Floss. I'm also exploring some of the dishes I perceive to be the most exotic at, amongst other places, Dong Zhi Men food Street; I'm currently trying to locate some Spicy Sheep's Head Slices here in Beijing as I missed the opportunity in Inner Mongolia and Tibet. I don't do organ meats though.

6. Tell us a few memorable experiences in China.
I have ingeniously taken Mount Hua (for all you Red Movie fans), have run out of superlatives on Huang Shan, and borne witness to the architectural ingenuity of the Hanging Temples of Heng Shan. I have survived the bone-numbingly cold Ice Lantern festival in Harbin, walked the reputably haunted medieval walls of Pingyao with impunity, and lived to tell the tale of the ten-hour bus journey from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou.

I have been the guest of honour at a banquet fit for the Emperor in Huhehaote (Hohot), eaten field-rat in Yangshou, locusts in Kunming, and starfish in Qingdao where, incidentally, I also got drunk at ten in the morning at the Tsingdao brewery. But the best experience overall? 2 weeks in Tibet and getting to Everest Base Camp. Now THAT was an adventure!

7. How has your experience in China changed you?
I have discovered that I crave culture shock, and that I become too easily accustomed to life in the oh-so-westernised CBD of Beijing.

8. What is the thing you like the best about Beijing/ China?
Attitude and state of mind are both determining factors in enjoying one's circumstances, and I'm pleased to say that my Chinese experience has been exhilarating and rewarding both culturally and vocationally. For the first time in my life, I find that I am working to live (rather than the other way round) and living while I am working.

9. Will you come to China again?
If at all possible, I would like to return in 2008 for the Olympics. I don't know how that will work out yet though.

10. What advice or tips would you give to other teachers who plan to come and teach in China?
Life here can be very comfortable and it is all too easy to become complacent, so I think it is very important to be aware of this, and avoid it at all costs. Never forget your original reasons for coming to China, and aim to strike a balance with these and the ex-pat lifestyle

Photos courtesy of Nick Pither (Nick's travels)