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Teaching English in China
7 years agoAny cultural rules/regulations I should know about to teach in Shanghai? My previous teaching job was in Saudi Arabia, so I'm just looking to avoid any cultural snafus. :)
Best,
Kate
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Comments (5)
United StatesI haven't taught in Shanghai, but I taught in China for around 3 years. Really it depends where you teach how much freedom you have with your lessons. Cultural there are the big three Ts you shouldn't discuss. Taiwan, Tibet, and Tianmian Square. When it comes to religion it depends on the school but I suggest avoid it unless they school asks you to teach about it. I had University who wanted me to teach the bible(I taught it as a lit class though and nothing more). When it comes to politics you shouldn't bash the communist party especially in the classroom, but if you tell your friend in a private setting your probably okay(if hes a foreign friend). Overall China is great and what some other posters have said is very true. Many Chinese will give an excuse to avoid conflict. Expect a lot of grandmothers to die/be sick because a student missed class or someone cancelled on you. There grandmother is probably fine but you accept their excuse.
Hi Kate, I taught English in China for eight years. In general, Chinese people are friendly but they avoid speaking too directly especially when it comes to criticism or complaints. Try to keep this in mind when you communicate with the administration where you work. Also, questions that might seem a little rude otherwise are very common place in China (especially about income, age and weight) so try to keep a sense of humor. Best wishes!
Thank you for the tip - being asked about age and weight can be a bit shocking otherwise, lol. Cultural differences are very interesting indeed. Sometimes we can be perceived as rude too when we are in a foreign country, and it is good to learn these things before it happens :)
Read all about that in my book on amazon, "Daydreams of Shanghai." I'm pretty sure it will answer all of your questions about Chinese culture.
Have no political opinions whatsoever, neither about China nor about your own country, nor about any country. Authority figures are always right - END OF STORY. Politicians take care of the politics and ordinary people have to meekly set about being grateful to their superiors while opinionlessly putting food on their tables however they can.
Just remember always, Katelynn, that plenty of people have made the mistake of absent-mindedly thinking they had a right to express some opinion or other and have swiftly ended up serving a life sentence in brutal conditions, having their organs harvested and sold off to wealthy folks and members of the Communist Party.
Just keep your head down and your reflections to yourself and you should rub along just fine.
