Expectations

Smoking
Teachers are strictly abstained from smoking within the school premises. Respectable females in Chinese society do not indulge in smoking and the act also creates a negative impression of the individual, especially for a teaching professional who is a lady. This might also have an adverse effect on the prospective teacher’s career in China. However, it is not a taboo to smoke in public, if the smoker is ready to face the consequences.

Alcohol
Intake of alcohol has to be beyond school hours; exceptions being parties or activities sponsored by school on school grounds. Teachers are subject to dismissal if found untimely intoxicated/ under the influence of alcohol within the periphery of the school. However, outside school, consumption of alcohol is allowed. The same stigma is attached to females who drink excessively as is for smoking.

Drugs
Narcotics and use of illegal drugs not only promises to damage the career of an ESL teacher in China, but also is a prosecutable activity under Chinese law. The laws are strict and penalties are crushing for use and trafficking of illegal drugs in the country. The ESL teacher certified by ATI and teaching in China by choice is expected to be responsible and sensible enough to comprehend and accordingly respect Chinese laws and regulations.

Sexual Harassment and maltreatment
Making sexual advances towards or entering into relationships with the students or co-teachers at school is strictly prohibited and offenders may even have to face fine and detention.

Chinese Culture
Chinese customs and traditions are very rich. Buddhism has greatly influenced Chinese society, culture, and the arts. Chinese cultural etiquettes may sometimes appear unusual to visitors. However, a handful of tips could acquaint visitors with these otherwise strange practices. China has always proved to be a foreigner friendly place where all the tourists are taken into its arms and adopted like they are family. There is no dearth of intimacy and affection in China. Chinese are quite passionate about their cultural heritage and expect similar conduct from the foreign teachers. Therefore, absorbing and adapting to Chinese culture and customs, respecting rites and beliefs, at least superficially is considered to be a healthy effort that can augment one’s teaching career in China.

Chinese society places a high value on the multi-generational family, respect for elders, and education. China is known as a state of etiquette and ceremonies. One of the world’s super powers, the land is as generous as its people, whose zest for life is reflected in their culture and traditions. Chinese used to cup one hand in the other before the chest as a salute. This tradition has a history of more than 2000 years and nowadays it is seldom used except in the Spring Festival. And shaking hands is more popular and appropriate on some formal occasions. Bowing, as to convey respect to the higher level, is often used by the lower like subordinates, students, and attendants. But at present Chinese youngsters tend to simply nod as a greeting. To some extent this evolution reflects the ever-increasing paces of modern life.

It is common social practice to introduce the junior to the senior, or the familiar to the unfamiliar. When you start a talk with a stranger, the topics such as weather, food, or hobbies may be good choices to break the ice.

Chinese consider gifts as an important part to show courtesy. It is appropriate to give gifts on occasions such as festival, birthday, wedding, or visiting a patient.

Public expression of anger or agitation and indulgence in violence and confrontation is bound to earn aversion for a foreigner in China. Aggressive and abrasive mode of communication is detested in China. It is thoroughly recommended for all native English speakers to temporarily mould one’s conduct towards politeness, till the time they chose to live in China. It is always wise to discuss individual problems and dissatisfactions with ATI, rather than exploding in public. A calm, friendly, understanding, patient and smiling person will achieve far greater things in China than someone who is hot-headed or quick-tempered. Expressing anger will only be aggravating the worse.

Health / Illness
Adapting to a new climate, culture, food habit and way of life is always strenuous for a visitor to a new country. Thus, it is not unusual to bear the brunt by falling ill, initially. Understandably, travelers/health insurance for at least 1 month is a must-buy for those teachers traveling to Thailand to do the TESOL program. However, health care is cheap and of high standard in Thailand. Medication and doctor visits are amazingly inexpensive. Providers of Health Insurance in Thailand are companies like BUPA or AIA.

When teaching in China or any other foreign countries, it is always recommended to get Expat Medical Coverage.

Extra Curricular Activities
Regular school hours and schedules or beyond often accommodate extra curricular activities/ parties/ special days and celebrations which are good opportunities to mingle with the students and the teaching and non-teaching staffs of the school. Such activities would also present a foreign teacher to the community as they attend staff parties, field trips, weddings, dinner invitations etc. It is definitely an affirmative move from the side of the foreign ESL teacher if they participate in some of these activities.

Discrepancies
If any discrepancies arise between what the school asks the TESOL-trained teacher to do and the contract the ESL teacher have with ATI should be reported to the ATI Coordinator. Often times these discrepancies result from a communication error. By allowing the school and ATI to discuss the matter, it is hoped, and been proven, that most of these issues can be resolved much easier, faster and with less cultural tensions than if the teacher attempt to resolve them alone. Often these schools want their ESL teacher to do many extra little things because they want to take advantage of the fact that they finally have a foreigner working at their school. If you don’t mind doing a few extra little things… great, AND this is the best way to get involved and score extra PAID work after school hours. The more involved you are, the more liked you will be and the more people you will meet, thus more opportunities will arise. However, we all need our own time and you will need to know when to say “Sorry, I can’t do that”.