For a long time now Americans have been heading to China for job opportunities. Most of them are attracted by China’s fast-growing economy and lower unemployment rate compared to the US. A lot of these expats work as English teachers because of the ever increasing demand for learning English by students of all ages from kindergarten to adults. A common question from people considering moving to China to teach is related to cost of living, as the salary is usually lower than what it would be in The States. Considering that foreign English teachers in China can earn up to 2 or 3 times more than the locals, their salary can go a very long way when it comes to purchasing power in the country. Aside from their salaries, most English schools in China even offer additional benefits including round trip airfare allowance and free housing.

 

To give you a better idea, we have created a table comparing the cost of living between China and the United States. With the help of Numbeo, we were able to gather information on the costs of basic necessities between the two countries. Cost of living vary somewhat from city to city so we have picked 2 major cities in each country and also included a third-tier city in China to provide you a wider perspective.

 

Salary

	Beijing First- Tier City	Hangzhou Third- Tier City	China	New York	US
Salaries and Financing
Average Monthly Disposable Salary for Locals (After Tax)	6,105 CNY 978 USD	4,939 CNY 790 USD	4,357 CNY 697 USD	28,392 CNY 4,551 USD	20,474 CNY 3,75 USD
Range of Salary of English Teachers in China (depending on the school and the teacher’s qualifications)	9-000 – 16,000 CNY 1,440 – 2,560 USD	7,000 – 16,000 CNY 1,120 – 2,560 USD

 

Food

The cost of food is one of the important ways to compare the cost of living between two countries according to Amber D. Walker. Since China has a vast amount of agricultural resources, food in China costs are a lot lower than the US. You may choose from pages of pages of delicious Chinese cuisines as well as your favorite food from home. You can literally afford to eat out for every meal 3 or more times a day. A fancy restaurant may of course cost two or three times more than normal restaurants though. According to Numbeo, restaurant prices in the United States are 75 % higher than in China and grocery prices are 52% more expensive compared to China.

 

	Beijing	Hangzhou	China	New York	US
Restaurants
Inexpensive meals	30.00 CNY 4.81 USD	28.50 CNY 4.56 USD	24.00 CNY 3.84 USD	93.57 CNY 15.00 USD	62.50 CNY 10.00 USD
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three course	150 CNY 24.05 USD	135.00 CNY 21.60 USD	150.00 CNY 24.00 USD	467.85 CNY 75.00 USD	281.25 CNY 45.00 USD
Combo meal at fast food restaurants	28.00 CNY 4.49 USD	27.50 CNY 4.40 USD	27.00 CNY 4.32 USD	46.79 CNY 7.50 USD	40.62 CNY 6.50 USD
Soda- .33 liter per bottle	4.19 CNY 0.67 USD	4.19 CNY 0.67 USD	3.47 CNY 0.56 USD	11.09 CNY 1.78 USD	9.96 CNY 1.59 USD
Water .33 liter per bottle	2.26 CNY 0.36 USD	2.30 CNY 0.37 USD	2.16 CNY 0.34 USD	9.69 CNY 1.55 USD	7.96 CNY 1.27 USD
Markets
Milk	12.00 CNY 1.92 USD	15.50 CNY 2.48 USD	13.13 CNY 2.10 USD	8.68 CNY 1.39 USD	6.24 CNY 1.00 USD
Loaf of Fresh White Bread 500g	10.35 CNY 1.66 USD	9.77 CNY 1.56 USD	10.38 CNY 1.66 USD	17.64 CNY 2.83 USD	15.06 CNY 2.41 USD
Rice White 1 kg	6.88 CNY 1.10 USD	7.23 CNY 1.16 USD	6.50 CNY 1.04 USD	18.92 CNY 2.96 USD	18.33 CNY 2.93 USD
Eggs (per dozen)	12.46 CNY 2.00 USD	10.50 CNY 1.68 USD	11.62 CNY 1.86 USD	18.92 CNY 3.03 USD	14.20 CNY 2.27 USD
Local Cheese (per kg)	85.38 CNY 13.69 USD	102.00 CNY 16.32 USD	92.31 CNY 15.09 USD	65.32 CNY 10.47 USD	58.90 CNY 9.42 USD
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless) (per kg)	26.32 CNY 4.22 USD	25.00 CNY 4.00 USD	25.89 CNY 4.14 USD	54.78 CNY 8.78 USD	48.47 CNY 7.76 USD
Apples 1 kg	13.90 CNY 2.23 USD	14.00 CNY 2.24 USD	11.26 CNY 1.80 USD	26.05 CNY 4.18 USD	23.49 CNY 3.76 USD
Tomato 1kg	8.11 CNY 1.30 USD	12.00 CNY 1.92 USD	8.18 CNY 1.31 USD	28.19 CNY 4.52 USD	23.47 CNY 3.75 USD
Lettuce 1kg	4.14 CNY 0.66 USD	9.00 CNY 1.44 USD	4.20 CNY 0.67 USD	14.80 CNY 2.35 USD	9.85 CNY 1.58 USD
Water 1.5 liter bottle	4.58 CNY 0.73 USD	4.67 CNY 0.75 USD	3.85 CNY 0.62 USD	12.03 CNY 1.93 USD	10.99 CNY 1.76 USD
Bottle of Wine Mid-Range	98.00  CNY 15.71 USD	117.50 CNY 18.80 USD	80.00 CNY 12.80 USD	93.57 CNY 15.00 USD	75.00 CNY 12.00 USD
Domestic Beer 0.5 liter	4.30 CNY 0.69 USD	6.30 CNY 1.01 USD	4.65 CNY 0.74 USD	10.88 CNY 1.74 USD	14.40 CNY2.30 USD
Imported Beer 0.33 liter bottle	17.04 CNY 2.73 USD	13.33 CNY 2.13 USD	13.86 CNY 2.22 USD	15.74 CNY 2.52 USD	20.48 CNY 3.28 USD

 

Rent

Rent varies depending on which city you are living in. It costs relatively higher in cosmopolitan cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, New York or Washington DC. Third tier cities in China can cost a lot less compared to the same kind of place in the US or first tier cities in China. Rent prices in the United States are higher compared to China by 56% according to Numbeo.

 

Beijing Hangzhou China New York US Rent per month Apartment 1-br in City Centre 5,690.02 CNY 912.15 USD 3,500.00 CNY 560.01 USD 3,775.77 CNY 604.13 USD 17,700.88 CNY 2,837.59 USD 6,274.87 CNY 1,004.00 USD Apartment 1-br Outside of Centre 3,235.78 CNY 518.72 USD 1,950.00 CNY 312.00 USD 2,152.95 CNY 344.48 USD 10,557.82 CNY 1,692.50 USD 4,740.77 CNY 758.54 USD Apartment 3br in City Centre 14,142.85 CNY 2,267.21 USD 8,160.00 CNY 1,305.62 USD 8,391.98 CNY 1,342.74 USD 30,682.15 CNY 4,918.59 USD 10,764.01 CNY 7,722.27 USD Apartment 3br Outside of Centre 6,939.66 CNY 1,112.48 USD 4,400.00 CNY 704.01 USD 4,719.37 CNY 755.11 USD 20,079.86 CNY 3,218.96 USD 8,078.43 CNY 1,292.57 USD

Utilities

Electricity, gas, water and Internet service costs more than twice in the United States compared to China.

 

	Beijing	Shanghai	Hangzhou	China	Washington	New York	US
Utilities (Monthly)
Basic (Electricity, Heating, water, garbage) for 85 m2 apartment	372.80 CNY 59.76 USD	358.62 CNY 57.49 USD	248.66 CNY 39.79 USD	345.51 CNY 55.28 USD	1,024.66 CNY 164.26 USD	947.02 CNY 151.81 USD	1,009.47 CNY 161.52 USD
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)	0.42 CNY 0.07 USD	0.22 CNY 0.04 USD	0.35 CNY 0.06 USD	0.34 CNY 0.05 USD	0.69 CNY 0.11 USD	1.02 CNY 0.16 USD	0.94 CNY 0.15 USD
Internet (6 mbps, unlimited Data, Cable/ Adsl	121.14 CNY 19.42 USD	139.06 CNY 22.29 USD	140.00 CNY 22.40 USD	118.87 CNY 19.02 USD	311.90 CNY 50.00 USD	308.40 CNY 49.44 USD	288.68 CNY 46.35 USD

 

Transportation

The local transportation is higher in the United States by almost 525% compared to China. A one-kilometer cab ride can also be 300% more expensive in the US despite the gasoline costing 24% more in China compared to the United States. If you are thinking of buying a car though, US is cheaper by 19% because of the high tax imposed by the government on purchasing vehicles in China.

 

 

	Beijing	Shanghai	Hangzhou	China	Washington	New York	US
Transportation
One- way ticket Local Transport	2.00 CNY 0.32 USD	3.00 CNY 0.48 USD	2.50 CNY 0.40 USD	2.00 CNY 0.32 USD	13.10 CNY 2.10 USD	15.60 CNY 2.50 USD	12.50 CNY 2.00 USD
Gasoline 1 liter	8.09 CNY 1.30 USD	7.98 CNY 1.28 USD	7.87 CNY 1.26 USD	7.93 CNY 1.27 USD	6.29 CNY 1.01 USD	6.62 CNY 1.06 USD	5.99 CNY 0.96 USD
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90KW Trendline (or Equivalent New Car)	159,641.60 CNY 25,591.79 USD	150,000 CNY 24,046.17 USD	158,747.46 CNY 25,400.00 USD	150,000 CNY 24,800.40 USD	116,962.50 CNY 18,750.00 USD	143,474 CNY 23,000 USD	124,998 CNY 20,000.00 USD
Sports and Leisure
Fitness Club, Monthly fee for adults	316.67 CNY 50.76 USD	276.67 CNY 44.35 USD	250.00 CNY 40.00 USD	242.35 CNY 38.78 USD	442.89 CNY 71.00 USD	581.62 CNY 93.24 USD	245.54 CNY 39.29 USD
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	80.00 CNY 12.82 USD	80.00 CNY 12.82 USD	100.00 CNY 16.00 USD	70.00 CNY 11.20 USD	74.86 CNY 12.00 USD	87.33 CNY 14.00 USD	62.50 CNY 10.00 USD

 

As the cost of living in China is much lower than that in the US including the generous salaries and excellent benefits such as free accommodation and sometimes even free meals during working hours, working in China can offer you a comfortable living condition. If you like to travel, China has a lot of wonderful places to visit at a very low cost. You will also have the opportunity to visit neighboring countries in Asia with cheap airfare tickets. If you are good in managing your finances, you may even save a good amount of money before you go back to your home country.

China has a lot to offer. If you are interested in learning more about their culture first hand while making a difference to the lives of students, ask us today on how you can begin this adventure. Teach English in China and be part of one of the fastest changing countries in the world. We offer a wide variety of high paying English teaching jobs in different major cities in China. Apply now.

Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are just few of the cities that people living outside of China are familiar with. While these cities are known for being economic powerhouses, experts believe that the future of China is in its rising second and third tier cities.

In this article, we are going to feature some of the rising cities in China and provide some inspiration for English teachers looking for exciting locations that offer the balance of being a large city while retaining some of the exotic elements of discovery.

1. Qingdao

Heather of Grand High School: “I am currently teaching in Qingdao. I love Qingdao, people say it is a gem of China. I have found that to be true. Qingdao has
the big city perks, like expat restaurants, stores and coffee shops, but also the small city perks, like a small community and less traffic. Qingdao is also very beautiful. We have mountains and beaches in our back yard.”

The city is famous for its fresh and delicious seafood and China’s most well-known brand of beer – Tsingtao. The city is also abundant with natural beauty and business centers as the city continues to attract tourists as well as business people from all over the world. It has colorful panorama of red-roofed houses and green trees overlooking the city. It also has plenty of parklands and forest areas close to the Lao Shan Scenic Area.

Other popular attractions are Zhanshan Temple, Saint Michael’s Cathedral, Zhongshan Park, Tsingtao Beer Museum, May Fourth Square and beaches within easy reach of the city. Qingdao is also well-known for its European architecture.

 

Justin of Grand High School: Qingdao is a beautiful city. I come from the hills and flat part of Texas, so to live next to mountains is really cool for me. Another perk is that Qingdao is on the coast, so we get to enjoy the ocean as well. Not many cities can boast about having the ocean and mountains in their city. My favorite thing about living here is that it is convenient to travel from. My wife and I do a lot of traveling and Qingdao has a train station that goes to Beijing and Shanghai, and also an International Airport, which we use to visit countries nearby.

2. Tianjin

Jolene Perkins of EF Tianjin: “Within my first week of arriving, I was already on the speed train to Beijing, Travel…I love to travel, so on my off days and in-between work, I hop around Tianjin. I was overwhelmed by all the lights and the bigness of the city when I first arrived, but now I am embracing the parts within the city, visiting Ancient Cultural Street, I have already found my rhythm to participate in learning art.

Confucius Temple was first on my list, I enjoyed studying about him in philosophy, so I made much effort to go see the temple.“

As the city is so close to Beijing, Tianjin has close links with its neighbor city which is just a half an hour ride by fast train. These two prominent cities have prospered and developed over the years and Tianjin plays an important role to this progress since it is close to a port.

Tianjin has large rural areas and farmland with a great number of tourist attractions and monuments spread all over the city. Panshan Scenery Area, The Park on the Water, The Garden of Tranquility, The Palace of Heavenly Empress and even a section of The Great Wall of China at Huangya Pass are just some of the best known scenic spots to take a look at when in the city.

Other attractions that are also worth visiting are Haihe River, Ancient Culture Street and The Tianjin Opera Museum. The city also has a rich history as it has witnessed many important events and evidence of its mark on the world is still visible in the old British and Italian concessions, the port and European architectures.

 

Paul Orlowicz of EF Tianjin: “Tianjin is a wonderful city to live in! Tianjin has nearly everything I could want in a city. As I am an avid cyclist, the most important thing for me is how bicycle friendly Tianjin is. In my opinion, it’s the best way to get around town!

The Hai River is beautiful, full of unique experiences just walking alongside it.
The city lights up in the evenings and becomes a playground for me wanting to explore.
I have also been to a nightclub, ‘Sitong’. It was a very fun experience, so many different people and I loved the band which performed that night.”

3. Shijiazhuang

Kerry Miller of EF Shijiazhuang: “Although not a lot of people seem to have heard of Shijiazhuang (or at least I hadn’t before I was sent details of the job), it is a huge city. It’s busy but not manic like places such as Beijing. It has a really friendly, safe atmosphere. It didn’t take me very long at all to settle in and feel comfortable. I love the fact that there aren’t a lot of Westerners here so I feel like I’m getting to see what the ‘real’ China is all about.”

Shijiazhuang, translated literally as “the village of Shi family” in Chinese, is a city grown out of a village. A hundred years ago, it used to be a village which consists of six streets, six temples, four wells, 150 households and 600 people. During the past one hundred years, however, the city has become a regional center of politics, economy, technology, information and cultural center.

The city has been well-developed with a lot of its places of interest have been included in the Guinness World Records. To name one, the largest Chinese inscription, “Gui” (Chinese for “returning home”), can be found in the city. It measures 97.7 meters high and 49 meters wide and was placed to commemorate the historic event of Hong Kong’s return to its motherland in 1997. Aside from its growing economy, Shijiazhuang has also developed very well in terms of tourism. It boasts in natural scenery as well as its historical position in China’s revolutionary history.

Other wonders to see in and around the city are Zhaozhou bridge, the oldest bridge in China at 1,400 years old, which is also listed as a world heritage site.

Andrew Ho- Lung of EF Shijiazhuang: “My first impression of Shijiazhuang was general awe. The city is 10 times bigger than any city I’ve ever lived in! The city is very different from where I come from but that is the whole point of seeing the world. To me, Shijiazhuang is the real China. What you see in this city is what the everyday Chinese sees. The cost of living is very affordable, especially on English teaching wages. I have the opportunity to experience the city to the fullest and save a little money on the side.”

 

4. Fuzhou

Amanda Sinclair of York School of Foreign Languages: “The word I hear myself saying, and hear others say the most, is ‘interesting’. This word covers all aspects of living in Fuzhou. The food is interesting (especially as I am a vegetarian), the customs are interesting, the people are interesting, and the city itself is interesting. Every day, there is something new and unexpected that will prick your intrigue. Many restaurants will find new ways of cooking tofu and making it look like meat, which to most people is interesting. The city itself is so diverse. You look one way and there is XiHu lake, but look the other way and there are tower blocks of apartments.

 

What I love the most about living in Fuzhou is that if you want to live life in a busy city, you can. You can hit the bars, and the restaurants, the clubs, and be surrounded by people, and live that cosmopolitan lifestyle. But on the other hand if you want to explore the nature, see what Fuzhou has to offer, the city, the temples, the mountains, it is equally as easy to do so.

 

With a history of over two thousand and one hundred years old, Fuzhou is both a historic and cultural city. A birthplace of heroes and many celebrated figures from Chinese history bring such glory to this city. There are many arts and related industries represented in the city because of its long and flourishing history.

One example is the Three Treasures of Fuzhou which are lacquer work, stone sculpting and cork cutting. Fuzhou also a featured dining culture and traditiona
l arts which includes Min Opera which all still take an important role in China’s culture today.

Fuzhou has a lot of scenic spots and places of historic interest and one of them is Drum Hill, well-known for its fine caves, temples and forests of stone inscriptions. It has a library which ranks as one of the most important in the Tao religion.

Fuzhou is also equidistant from both Shanghai and Hong Kong which makes it a pivotal point many large Chinese businesses and convenient for weekend getaways.

 

5. Shenyang

Shenyang is considered to be the most prosperous metropolis in the Northeast Region of China. Shenyang is renowned internationally as a cultural and historical city. Shenyang has developed really fast in terms of education, technology and industry and is now considered as the cradle of construction of the Modern China.

With its developed highway system and its daily coach connections to Beijing, Tianjin, Changchun and Harbin, it is now considered to be the largest traffic center and the most important transportation hub in the region. Internationally, it is also a gateway to North Korea and Russia as it also has the biggest airport in the Northeast.

The city has literally thousands of restaurants where you can enjoy anything from street barbecued kebabs to a luxurious five-starred banquets. If you love the night life, Shenyang also has a great number of bars, clubs and KTV spots. Other well-know places to visit are Qi Pan Shan (Cheeseboard Mountain) and Shan Hai Guan – where the Great Wall meets the sea.

Summary
Of course, there are plenty more exciting Chinese cities on the rise, the 5 cities above hopefully provide some fresh ideas for those looking to start their next teaching adventure. Put in an application with us today, mentioning any preferences you have for cities and we’ll be pleased to send you details of current teaching jobs holding interviews right now. Apply here.

General Tsao’s chicken, beef broccoli, wonton soup, spring rolls, sweet and sour pork and fortune cookies, these are some of the “Chinese food” that foreigners would look for when they arrive in China. With the hope of finding something familiar or trying the authentic version of their favorite dish, many foreigners end up being disappointed to find out that the “Chinese food” they know isn’t exactly the local’s ideal dish to order or sometimes, they are not even available on their menu.

This however, shouldn’t be something to worry about. Consider this an opportunity to get to try a new or maybe even a better dish. And no, we get it, we won’t include chicken feet, intestines or frog legs. China, as you know, is a vast country and each region features distinct and unique cuisine. Szechuan province is known for its spicy food while Cantonese style is mostly sweet.

Don’t limit your choices with the list we have below though. We have also a created a list of 22 popular meat, fish and vegetable dishes including useful phrases that you can use when in a restaurant in China. It has English, Chinese characters and pinyin with tones in case you want to use it to practice your Mandarin. You can print the A4 version or for your bulletin board or create a foldable pocket version with easy-to-follow steps to carry with you wherever you go. Download it now for free:
https://goldstarteachers.com/articles/chinese-food-menu/

1. Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)小笼包

These meat-filled dumplings originated in Jiangnan region in China although they are mostly associated with Shanghai and Wuxi. Xiaolongbao is often referred to as a kind of dumpling but is actually a type of steamed bun or “baozi”. It is traditionally served and prepared in small bamboo steaming baskets which are called “xiaolong”, hence the name.

Xiaolongbao usually has pork or sometimes with minced crab meat in it but there have been a lot more variations recently. The soup inside them are made by using solid meat aspic, meat set in gelatin, and wrapped with the skin. While steaming, the aspic then melts into soup. The most common way to eat them is to first dip in Zhenjiang vinegar with ginger slivers, and then have a small bite at the corner to let the soup seep out to the spoon, finally eat the Xialongbao while drinking its broth at the same time. Be careful not to burn your tongue in the process.

2. Beggar’s Chicken (Jiao Hua Ji) 叫化鸡

There are many legends and stories behind the origin of this dish. There was once a beggar who led a wandering life in poverty. One day, he came across a wild chicken; others imply that he stole it. He decided to cook the chicken with neither tools nor condiments. He killed the chicken, plucked it and wrapped it in lotus leaves. He then built a fire and placed the chicken over it. With the fear of being discovered by nearby guards, he covered the entire chicken with mud thus keeping the smell trapped within the mud.

Since the chicken’s natural juices were trapped inside, it turned to be extra succulent. When it came time for him to eat it however, a travelling noble, attracted by the scent of the chicken, came to ask what he was preparing. The beggar was kind enough to share his meal and the noble found it to be very good. The noble man wondered how a simple beggar could cook such succulent chicken so he asked how he made it. This cooking method eventually spread and found its way to the imperial court.

Over a century ago, a small restaurant recreated this method of cooking, following the said legend. They called it the Beggar’s Chicken and it has become popular to the locals since then. Nowadays, restaurants wrap the chicken in lotus leaves and bake it. There are still others who cook the dish outside using hot coals and covering the lotus wrapped chicken with clay or mud to keep it more traditional.

3. Scallion Pancake 葱油饼

There has been a legend in China that pizza is an evolution of the scallion pancake, a widely famous food in China and Taiwan. It is rumored that Marco Polo missed the scallion pancake so much when he returned to Italy so he looked for chefs to recreate the dish but the chef he found failed to imitate it. The dish they created, however, was praised by everyone who tried it. The chef who created it improvised the dish by adding cheese which turned out to be today’s pizza. This rumor was later refuted by historians though, stating that pizza existed in the Mediterranean, 250 years earlier than Marco Polo’s time.

Congyoubing or scallion pancakes are made from non-leavened flatbread with oil and minced green onions. They are available both as street food items and served in restaurants. There are plenty of other variations to serve the dish by adding bacon, ham, tuna or other food.

4. Shanxi Oat noodles 莜面栲栳栳

Shanxi cuisine is most well-known for its noodles and the extensive use of vinegar as a condiment. The oat noodles are intricately arranged to shape like a honeycomb in a steamer basket. It is served with a chili oil-vinegar dip, simply peel off a strip of noodle and dip it in this sauce before eating. The oat noodles have a mild taste and soft light texture. They are made from naked oat, a grain indigenous to Shanxi province.

5. Sichuan Firecracker Chicken 辣子鸡

Also called as “Chicken with Chilies”, the Firecracker Chicken is a Sichuan dish that’s incredibly spicy. As mentioned, Sichuan province is known for their spicy dishes. This dish may appear terrifying, seeing more chilies than chunks of chicken; however, the spices are only there to add to its flavor and are not supposed to be eaten. The chicken has a crisp and crunchiness with a lot of flavor. This recipe is a specialty of Gele Mountain which used to be a district of Sichuan province.

6. Suzhou Style Mooncakes 苏州式月饼

Mooncakes are usually associated with Mid-Autumn Festival but this style of mooncake is not exclusive for the Chinese holiday. These mooncakes are baked and available all throughout the year. These mooncakes can either be salty or sweet. This style has been around for over a thousand years. The savory types are usually served hot and with pork mince fillings, salt and pepper. It is popular for its layers of flaky dough and crispiness.

Mooncakes were known to be used by the Ming revolutionaries to overthrow the Mongolian rulers in China. The mooncakes have secret messages hidden within them. The messages contained the plan for the revolution which was held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, also the date of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Another way to hide the message is to print it on top of the mooncake which came in packages of four. To be able to decipher the message, each of the four mooncakes was cut equally into quarters and the 16 pieces were put together like a puzzle, thus revealing the hidden message. They then eat the mooncake to destroy any evidence of the message.

7. Red Braised Pork or Hong Shao Rou红烧肉

Red braised pork is a popular and classic dish from China which are cooked with pork belly, ginger, garlic, aromatic spices, chili peppers, sugar, soy sauce and rice wine. The pork is cooked until the meat is ready to fall apart. The long braising process results in a texture that feels like the pork is melting in your mouth. Sweetness is its main component with its thick sauce and tender texture.

I’m sure there are plenty of Chinese dishes out there that you find unique and delicious. We would like to hear about your experience and suggested food. What’s your favourite dish?

You’ve probably heard a lot about China, its fast-paced development, its magnificent cities, the Great Wall or the spectacular hiking and trekking locations in the south. But these are not all there are to explore in this amazingly vast country, there are plenty of other activities that you can find if you are looking for an adventure.

We have asked some of our foreign teachers living and working in China about the things they do during their weekends and time off from work and have compiled a list of ten below.

1. Mountain Climbing or Hiking

Many of China’s oldest and most treasured temples and other important monuments are built in the mountains. Many of these mountains are considered sacred and there is no better way to appreciate then to hike to reach them. There may be other ways to reach them, like a car, a bus or a cable car however, there is a reward for those who break sweat to reach to the top – the chance to experience nature and the opportunity to interact with the locals along the way.

2. Learn Mandarin

Learning Chinese is not just about acquiring a new language but also opening up to China’s culture, history and archaeology. It is also beneficial to your future career as international businesses nowadays prefer to hire bilingual or multi-lingual candidates. As China and the US are two of the world’s largest trading partners, knowing Chinese may open a pool of employment opportunities for you in the future. This will also give you a chance to meet the locals and speak to them. If you are not very much interested in formal classroom or one-on-one settings, you may also join language exchange groups where you can teach locals who are interested in learning English and they can teach you Chinese in return.

 

3. Visit other Asian countries

Being in China, gives you an easy access to its neighboring Asian countries. If you book your tickets ahead of time, you may even find cheap tours and tickets. Asia is rich with extravagant architecture, ancient history, breath-taking landscapes and hospitable people. Explore the Imperial Palace, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Vietnam and go island hopping on the beaches of the Philippines and Indonesia. Not to mention that Asia is home to plenty of the world’s best dishes. Each country has its own specialties and unique cuisines.

 

4. Join expat activities

The first natural thing to do when you just arrive in a foreign country is to find people who speak the same language as yours. It is important to find a community or a support group of people that are similar to you especially as you are away from your family, friends and your comfort zone. Aside from the people you work with, there is usually a small circle of foreigners working together in the same city. You may travel together, explore different sights and landmarks, complain about the local people and the food, go to clubs and movies and even form a team of your own. Foreigners who like sports usually form small leagues and sometimes arrange to play with the locals.

 

5. Find a new hobby

Have you ever given table tennis a shot? Learn the art of Chinese calligraphy and painting?
Try grabbing a copy of their manga or comic books and amuse yourself by trying to figure out the stories. Learn about the Chinese tea culture, consider buying your own tea set and perform your own “Tea Ceremony” with your friends. Buy a local cookbook translated in to English and try cooking some of the local dishes and surprise your family next time you go home with your new skill.

 

6. Cycling

Many have claimed that riding a bicycle in China’s countryside provides the best way to appreciate and experience the country’s natural beauty. It’s also a great way to witness the age-old lifestyle of those who live in the countryside. There are bicycle tours that can be arranged whether you are a beginner or an experienced cyclist. Some of the most attractive routes for riding a bicycle are the sceneries along the Great Wall, Guilin and Yanshuo.

 

7. Try Chinese Meridian Massage

Chinese meridian therapies are quite popular in China. This includes, massage, acupuncture, cupping and herbal tonics. These methods are believed to be able to cure sickness completely with no side effects. They are designed to enhance the flow of “qi” or vital energies that flow through the meridians of your body. These therapeutic methods have been gaining popularity worldwide and are now being widely practiced and taught in medical schools. More and more foreigners are trying these and China Daily even made a report in 2008 that more and more expats are coming to China to learn traditional Chinese medicine.

 

8. Explore ancient China before they destroy it

China, one of the world’s oldest civilizations, is developing very fast and you can see the changes happen right before your eyes. Progress, as we know, comes with a price and that price is paid for by the ancient sites which are made to look petty by the desire to modernize. In June of 2013, a number of ancient Chinese Tombs that were between 2,200 to 3,000 years old were demolished by contractors to build a subway. It wasn’t the first time that they have done that. Irresponsible tomb raiders are also rampant to rob the future generation of China of its history by using dynamite and bulldozers. There is a lot to learn from these ancient sites and cultural artifacts. With this kind of trend happening, we can’t tell what may happen in the years to come. So while they’re there, take the time to explore and appreciate them.

 

9. Try all kinds of local dishes

Chinese food is known all over the world for being one of the best and for having tons of variety. Some of these foods are not a stranger to you as you may have tried them in Chinatown back home. But are you sure you want to order the usual kung-pao chicken or chow-mien? Why don’t you try something you have never seen or tasted before. Make it an adventure to order a dish that you have no idea about or ask for the same food that the customers across your table ordered.

Allow yourself to be surprised and create a whole new definition to the word “delicious”. But of course, if you are the type who wants to stick with what you’re familiar with, you can always go for the usual. We understand that most menus in China are in Chinese. Some restaurants may have pictures in them but you still couldn’t tell whether that’s chicken, fish or pork intestines. We created a Chinese food menu for you with Chinese characters translated in English and pinyin with tones if you feel like practicing your Mandarin in a restaurant.

 

10. Learn Tai Chi or Kungfu

You probably won’t miss seeing old locals practicing martial arts in parks or public squares early in the morning or in the evening. This is one of China’s traditional Kung-fu known as Tai Chi. It features slow movements and strong mental focus. It not only helps in building strength but is also a form of meditation; helps improve your breathing as well as your blood circulation. There are plenty of other forms of martial arts. Although its original function is self-defense, its true purpose is to advocate peace and virtue rather than aggression or violence. Chinese kung-fu is one of China’s traditional heritages which originated as early as 256 BC.

 

These are just some of the things that English teachers in China commonly do during their free time. If you have other suggestions or tips for your fellow expats, feel free to share your thoughts and unique adventures with us.

Have you ever wondered how important your resume is in finding a job? Having a solid resume is absolutely essential to get past the first screening process and land you an interview with the school. Here are some important and useful reminders we’ve compiled when applying for teaching jobs abroad.

1. Make sure that your contact information is accurate

You may have an outstanding resume and impressive qualifications, but the employers have no way of reaching you if you put in the wrong information. Include your phone number, email address and Skype ID as most initial interviews are done over Skype video calls. If you still don’t have one, make sure to download and register right away. If your name is gender neutral like Toby or Alex, it would be better if you can include “Mr.” or “Ms.” to avoid confusion from the employers.

2. Include your time zone

Include the city you are currently located in and its time zone. Since your potential employers are often on the other side of the world, they can easily arrange a reasonable time to setup an interview for you. You should also include your nationality and place of birth.

3. Prioritize your resume content

Put important information first so that your most important and relevant experience is listed on top. Sometimes your previous experience may be more relevant to the job you are applying for so you want to make sure that the employer sees that first. If you have key accomplishments, they should also be listed at the top of your job position. If you are applying for a job teaching kids, be sure to include any type of work or activities you’ve done with kids. Be sure to include the exact start and finish dates for each position.

4. Relevant skills

Think about how your previous experiences match up with what the employer is looking for and list them as skills to let them know that you fit this position perfectly, giving concrete examples and descriptions. This will also show that you properly researched the company and the job you are applying for. Emphasize your strengths and capabilities and show the employers that you are compatible with their school. There’s no need to include irrelevant information to avoid wasting precious space on your resume.

5. Cultural diversity and foreign languages

Since you are applying for a position in a foreign country, your knowledge of at least one foreign language will be definitely worth including. Your knowledge of another language indicates that you are aware of the process of acquiring a foreign language and you can empathize with your future students inside the classroom. If you have worked in an environment with cultural diversity, this is also definitely worth mentioning. Being culturally aware and comfortable working with students and colleagues from various different countries who have different ways of doing things is a very important part of any teaching abroad job.

6. Write a customized cover letter

Using a standard resume and sending it to all available positions is a common mistake that people make. Surely, it is very convenient and can save time, but it also indicates that you didn’t do enough research about the job and what the company is really looking for. Your cover letter is a great opportunity for you to sell yourself and your skill set and to show that it is relevant to the job. It’s also a great way to inject your personality into the application process early on. If the school is based in Tianjin, China, explain why you’d like to work in that city in particular. If the school has interactive whiteboards in the classroom, articulate why you think they are useful tools for education.

7. Proofread twice and PDF

There are plenty of examples of bad resume fails that are sure to end up in the rejected pile. Be sure to proofread your resume not just once, but twice and even better, ask a friend to read it over too. Make sure you check your spelling, grammar and use the appropriate fonts, spacing and text sizes. Once you are certain that it’s typo-free, save it to PDF format so it can’t be easily altered. It also keeps your resume design intact since there are many different versions of Microsoft office out there which can alter the layout.

8. Setup privacy on social networks

With the popularity of social media, employers are now looking beyond the documents you provide when short-listing candidates. It is becoming common lately for employers to check candidates’ social networks. It’s best that you set your privacy settings higher. Keep those drunken photos private and hide your work rants and complaints about your previous employer.

9. Self-introduction video or a teaching demo

Here’s your opportunity to impress the school you are applying for. This will also give the employer an idea about your English ability, teaching style, classroom presence and the command of your voice. This is commonly asked from non-native English speaking candidates but native speakers can also find it very useful especially if you have no teaching experience. Make sure you make a proper script and rehearse before recording your video introduction. This will look more professional and can attract more employers. Even after you land that job, you can still use the same video introduction to get private tutors for some extra income. Including a short video clip of you inside the classroom actually teaching is also a great way to stand out from the crowd.

As ESL teachers, more often than not, there are numerous cultural and linguistic gaps between us and our students. During our classroom interactions, misinterpretation and confusion is sometimes simply unavoidable. We can either choose to be disappointed or amused when these situations happen. Well, we’ve chosen the latter so we asked other ESL teachers to share some of their funny or interesting experiences inside the classroom.

1. Edgar Montoya (ESL & Spanish Teacher)

I asked a young Japanese man in one of my classes, a college graduate, what he had majored in. He was a very low-level English student. He simply said to me, “Finish.” I replied, “I know you finished. What was your MAJOR?” He replied once again, “Finish.” I tried a third time. “Yes, I know you graduated from college. I understand that you are done with college. What did you STUDY when you WERE in college?!” Now he shouts at me, “FINISH!” Then it hits me. “Ohhhhhh, you mean your major was FINNISH, the language of Finland!?” He nodded yes. We both got a good chuckle out of that one. I had and still have never heard of anyone else to this day who majored in Finnish!

2. Paul Pyrce (Former EFL Teacher)

“I had a large intermediate class and someone at the far end of the room asked me if I could speak higher. I said ‘Yes, OK’ in a very high-pitched voice. It took another 10 minutes before they, or I could do anything other than laugh!!”

3. Bee Bee Sng (Associate Lecturer)

One of my Chinese students wrote in her essay that she likes eating snakes. Since I know snake is a delicacy in Chinese cuisine, I asked her if that was really what she meant. She nodded her head and said “yes”. I drew a snake on a paper and asked her “snake?” She looked puzzled and shook her head. Finally, I wrote in the paper and asked her “Snack?” She nodded her head in agreement. I supposed she also pronounced both words “snack” and “snake” in the same way.

4. B.R. (ESL Teacher)

Student: “What is a potato clock?”
Me: “Umm, I really don’t know … I’ve never heard of potato clocks.”
Student: “Well, my roommate needs one.”
Me: “Really? What for?”
Student: I don’t know, but last night he said, “I’d better get to bed. I’ve got to get up at eight o’clock tomorrow.” (…a potato clock …)

5. J. B. (Director of Studies)

During my class with adult students, we were discussing about hobbies and interests using a third person point of view. One student wanted to talk about his son’s interest in ball sports. He said, “My son likes playing with his balls.” It wasn’t easy holding my laughter.

6. Jude (ESL Teacher)

I had a class of 3-year old kids who were in school for the first time. It was just the second day of class. One student (a girl), was playing with her shoes, so in order to get her attention, I knocked on the floor. She responded… “Do you want to build a snowman?”

7. Lisa Attias (Cross-cultural communications and freelance writer.)

I taught English in the Middle East to a class of 10-year olds. One day, I was telling them a story about a little boy called Peter, who lived on a farm, helped his parents on the farm when he came back from school etc. The whole class fell about laughing. It took me some time to realize that they thought it hysterically funny that I was telling a story about a young kid called ‘Pitta’ (bread).

8. Cici Tang (IELTS Teacher)

Once, my student asked me to help correct his IELTS writing. He wrote “This raises pubic attention.” I knew he meant PUBLIC attention. A lot of students also wrongly said hand job when they wanted to say something is handmade.

9. Alice C. (ESL Teacher)

Me: What do you like to do?
Student: I like to ride a whore.
Me: Do you mean horse?
Student: Yes! Whore!

BR

One afternoon, after explaining all about taste buds, and sweet, sour, salty, bitter, I asked if anyone could offer some things our taste buds sense. The reply was, “Bud Light, Bud Draft, Bud Dry and Bud Extra.”

We all have experienced something funny while teaching. Surely, there are a lot of teachers out there who have a good sense of humor. Feel free to share your stories and share the laughter with others.

We have talked to Directors of Studies and Hiring Managers and asked them to share their insights on some of the usual mistakes that candidates make during their application process. Most of the candidates are not aware that they commit these errors while others just seem carefree or indifferent. In our previous article, the leaders shared insightful tips on what you can do when applying for a teaching job. This time, they are here once again to share their wisdom on the mistake you can avoid when you apply for a teaching position in China.

Using a one-size-fits-all resume or covering letter

Not revising the CV to be relevant to the role that you’re looking for. There are likely to be soft skills from your old job that are relevant to the role, but many aspects of a previous job won’t be. Provide an updated CV that relates directly to the job you want – not one that sets out pages of unrelated work in accountancy or biological science. If you’re changing career – then explain why teaching is your new choice in the covering letter. Make the covering letter short and consider writing one specifically for each job – not a generic “To Whom it May Concern”. It’s boring to read generic correspondence and often they contain more errors because you didn’t proofread them yourself before you sent it out. Have scanned copies of your references included with the documentation and include address, email, etc. of your reference so that if we want, we can research. –Greg Jackson, General Director of Studies, EF English First, Jiaxing, Xiaoshan, Shaoxing, China

Directors of Studies and Hiring Managers can tell upfront from your resume and cover letter whether you took the time and effort to research about the company you are applying for or not. Using a generic resume or cover letter may make you appear lazy or unprofessional. The leaders may be a little considerate if you are applying for your first job; otherwise, you are most likely going to reap the equivalent of what you sow.

Video Interview Fails

If the interview is conducted on video, have a plain background, wear simple smart clothing, have a shave…look like you would for an actual interview.

Don’t conduct the interview from an internet café or communal space. Don’t have anyone doing anything in the background. No washing up. No dogs barking. No kids running around. No music on. No one else listening in. Find a quiet space from where you can guarantee your total attention. –Greg Jackson, General Director of Studies, EF English First, Jiaxing, Xiaoshan, Shaoxing, China

Video interviews are getting more and more common especially for urban professionals and those looking for jobs overseas. It is very convenient and can be conducted anywhere as long as there is an internet connection. There are many reasons why an employer would want to conduct a video or Skype interview. In this case for example, the main reason is that you are on the other side of the world, otherwise, most employers would still prefer face to face interviews over video interviews. This, however, is no different from an actual interview. You are expected to dress and behave professionally. Sadly though, there are still people who take it less seriously than an actual interview, which you shouldn’t.

The biggest mistake I’ve seen is the choice of location for a Skype interview. The nature of this industry requires telephone or conference call interviews, usually across great distances. If you schedule an interview with a company make sure the time is correct (and be certain of the time difference!) but most importantly make sure, when the time comes, that you are in a quiet place with a stable internet connection. Interviewing from a busy Starbucks can turn into a disaster! – Colin White, Director of Foreign Affairs at Kid Castle Educational Corporation

Not Seeing the Big Picture

Often candidates don’t think of the big picture. If you are applying for a more senior or management role think of what is needed from other departments. What sales or service tasks might be needed? This is often very important with language schools. – Gareth Evans, Regional Operations Specialist, EF China

This advice applies more to candidates applying for management or Director of Studies positions but can also be useful to teachers as well. For those looking for teaching jobs, it is a common misconception that since you are from a native speaking country and you speak English fluently; you are already eligible to teach English. There are still a lot of factors to be considered such as classroom management, curriculum development, lesson planning, giving feedback and communicating effectively to parents regarding their children’s progress and areas of improvements. Your motivation to teach may be because you can get along well with kids, but having fifteen toddlers with different personalities and constant mood swings inside a classroom is a totally different story.

For those applying for a leadership role in a school will have to consider the things I mentioned above including managing teachers, training them, planning a PTA, constantly creating creative marketing strategies to reach out to potential new students, addressing parents’ complaints and a lot more. It is important to at least have an idea on how to address these areas and how you would deal with them in case it is asked during the interview. Each school has a different way of doing things so it will give you a head start to read about the company and their teaching methodologies.

Badmouthing Your Previous Employer or Colleague

Your last boss was an idiot? Everyone in the company was a jerk? You hated your job and couldn’t wait to leave? Even if it’s true don’t say so. I cringed when I heard someone ranting and raving about the last company she worked for. That company happened to be our largest customer and, of course, I wasn’t going to hire someone who felt that way about the company and everyone who worked there.
It’s sometimes a smaller world than you think and you don’t know who your interviewer might know, including that boss who is an idiot… You also don’t want the interviewer to think that you might speak that way about his or her company if you leave on terms that aren’t the best. – Alison Doyle, Job Search Expert
Your opinion on others and things reflect more on your personality than the person or matter than you are criticizing. The interviewer may or may not know your previous employers or colleagues and he doesn’t care too much about them. During the interview, the Hiring Manager is more focused on you and anything you say bounces back to you. You may come forward as too pessimistic or whiny. Yes, your previous boss may be a real jerk and everyone else in the company agrees with you, but this is not the right time to vent your disappointments.

Grammatical Errors

Presenting a CV with spelling and grammatical errors. If your job is to teach English, your CV, covering letter and all email correspondence needs to reassure an employer by being correct and adopting the appropriate register. The DoS is potentially your future boss. You should approach them as such. Don’t use your home email address if it has a nickname. Don’t sign an email “peace” or something like it. Don’t swear and don’t refer to your interviewer as “mate”. Don’t write in all lower case without punctuation. Show some pride. Attention to detail is another key trait. It’s also a Core Value of EF employees.– Greg Jackson, General Director of Studies, EF English First, Jiaxing, Xiaoshan, Shaoxing, China

A lot of job websites may have similar advice – double check your resume, check it again the third time, even ask someone to proofread it for errors before sending it. But this is very critical especially when applying for an English teaching job. An English teacher making these mistakes is simply unacceptable. Your punctuations and word selection are also very important. You may want to appear very friendly by addressing your interviewer “mate” or “buddy”, but how the hiring manager takes it may vary on the leader’s personality or expectations from a candidate. I suggest you save the informalities after you get the job or even after you get to know your new boss.

Most mistakes during an interview are irreparable, but given the circumstances and if you want to sway things in your favor write a thank you e-mail to the interviewer, thank them for their time and the opportunity but also let them how you can contribute to the organization if you are given the job. Don’t be so desperate, this is just to make a mental note on the interviewers’ mind that your interest is genuine and that you can and should be the first choice for the job.– Marco, Director of Studies – EF English First Shijiazhuang

If you have read this article too late and have already made some of these unavoidable mistakes, there may still be hope for a second chance. Do it by sending a “thank you” email and try to explain briefly on what went wrong. Also give strong emphasis on how much you want to get this job. If possible, arrange a second interview or reiterate that they may contact your previous employers for references. Second chances are not usually given all the time especially that Directors of Studies and Hiring Managers have a lot of other candidates to deal with and plenty of other matters to take care of. However, it shouldn’t stop you from giving it another shot by sending them an email, letting them know your circumstances and thanking them for the opportunity.

When applying for a teaching job, candidates usually undergo an intensive screening process where less qualified applicants are sifted out of the pool of candidates. Those who are left behind usually proceed with the initial interview and as part of it; some schools require candidates to conduct a demo class to actual students or sometimes to a panel of interviewers. The purpose of this is so the employers can assess the candidates’ teaching potential and how well they can manage a class.

Here are some useful pointers on what to do before and during your demo class:

1. What to Prepare

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” – Bobby Unser
Arriving to an interview prepared not only impresses your interviewer but is also a reflection of your character that your resume and achievements don’t always clearly show.
-Find out about your audience. Will it be just the faculty or will there be students? What are the ages of the students? What is their level? How many students are there? Will there be mixed ages and levels in the class? Prepare age-appropriate and level-appropriate materials. Make sure that it is not too easy or too hard for the students but also that you have activities that are suitable for a range of abilities.

-Ask if you can observe a class before your demo class. It would be best if you can request to arrive the day before your demonstration lesson so you can prepare better. Find out about the style of teaching of the school. Some schools prefer including games and activities in their lesson while others are strict by-the-book.

-Find out whether you are being assigned a particular topic or you can choose freely what you’d like to teach. Some schools assume that as an experienced teacher, it is not necessary to inform you of this and that you can easily come up with a teaching plan even with just a few minutes before your demo class. It won’t hurt to find out and asking this will show the interviewer that you are proactive and responsible.

-Ask what resources are available in the classroom, smart boards are gaining popularity these days. If you can show that you are capable of utilizing the latest technology in education, that would be beneficial. Otherwise, make good use of the available resources. If you are printing handouts, make sure that you prepare extra copies. Consider any possible circumstances that may occur on your demo class.

-Always create a lesson plan to give to your interviewer. This will give your observers a clear idea on the target language to be taught, the activities involved and a general structure of how you will teach.

2. DO NOT arrive on time

Instead, arrive earlier. In the Japanese culture, arriving “on time” is actually considered late. The work culture of the Japanese has always been praised and recognized by many – punctuality is just one of them. You also don’t want to arrive at school stressed out because you spent too much of your energy worrying about being late.

3. It’s OK to be nervous, but still appear confident

Sometimes, even experienced teachers can feel intimidated and nervous when doing a demo class. Who wouldn’t be? Everyone has their eyes on you and you know that you are being evaluated. But according to the famous motivational speaker, Anthony Robbins, being nervous is not really a bad thing. Psychologists too would agree that all emotions are valid and being nervous is simply signaling your brain that you have to stay alert and focused.

However, you may not appear nervous and you can’t show this emotion to your students and observers. The best way to overcome this is to be prepared and practice a couple of times before the big day.

4. Build a quick rapport

You don’t know your audience and you have no idea about their interests and backgrounds. You may not have a lot of time to establish rapport with your students so you have to accomplish this in just around 5 minutes. I have observed excellent speakers and one of the effective methods they use as an icebreaker is humor. You may tell a joke or two and this will help warm up the class.

If you are the serious type or maybe your audience is, you may use the method where you start by getting two “yeses” from them whether mentally or orally. You may ask 2 questions where the audience would normally answer yes to both questions or simply state two facts that everyone would agree with. It is very important to have a strong command of the subject that you are teaching, what matters most however, is your ability to develop a good positive relationship with your students. I understand that building relationships may take time, but there are ways to a bridge that gap quickly and allow your students feel safe around you.

5. Make it student-centered

It is very important that you give the students a lot of opportunity to speak out and participate in the demo class. Make your lesson communicative instead of just you doing all the talking. Plan a lesson that is interactive in nature.

Make sure that you also include everyone and not only focus on the stronger, more active students. For younger learners, it is also important that you allow them to move around once in a while. You cannot expect them to sit still and focused longer than 15 minutes. Plan games and hands-on activities. Take note that there will be kids who are more hyper than others, so be prepared for that as well.

6. To learn and not to use is not to learn

When choosing a topic, choose something that is simple but can create a lasting impression at the same time. Make it a goal that by the end of your demo teaching, your students are also able to demonstrate what they have learned. If you teach them too much, they may forget most of what you have taught. Teach new words and also include old words that they are familiar with. Put emphasis on the sentence structures and make sure to include examples on how they can apply what they have learned in their daily lives and conversations.

If you can demonstrate something out of the ordinary, your demo teaching will definitely stand out. Plan something that would make you unique compared to other candidates.

7. Online Demo Teaching

If you are living overseas, you may be required to do a demo class through Skype or they may ask you to record yourself on video while teaching. Do not think of this to be less than the actual demo teaching, consider everything that has been mentioned above. Prepare yourself however, to teach with no actual students, with just the interviewer listening to you. Do your best to create interactions between you and your observer. You may also create imaginary students where you ask questions and pause to hear “them” respond, acknowledge their answer by giving a positive feedback.

Culture Matters

In recent years, China has grown to become a true global super power next to America. Since then, these two countries have been the subject of comparisons in many news and media outlets worldwide. Although these two countries have similar ambitions to dominate the world economy, their culture and mindset is like east and west (pun intended). As China opened their doors to the rest of the world, a lot of Americans were attracted to live and work in China. The differences in the way of life may come as a shock to a lot of Americans. We have made a list of common differences that Americans could prepare for before they embark through a journey in China.

1 – Collectivism vs. Individualism

Americans put strong emphasis on individuality and autonomy. One’s personal goals and motives are more prioritized over collective ones. This culture is believed to encourage individuals to be more ambitious and they use it to drive individuals to succeed. They also put a focus on being different and making a difference. Chinese people, on the other hand, base their decisions on how they will be perceived by those around them. They will first consider how their decisions will affect their family, colleagues and friends. According to the American International Education Foundation (AIEF), Chinese people think of themselves in a collective manner. More often than not, decisions are commonly made for the greater good as opposed to personal gain.

2 – Styles of Communication

Chinese may consider Americans to be very upfront in their manner of speaking. This may often cause a lot of misunderstanding or sometimes even hurt the feelings of some Chinese people especially if they are very sensitive. People in the US are encouraged to defend their ideas which may even lead to a confrontation or debate for the purpose of getting the other person to agree with their way of thinking. Some Chinese people would simply nod on your opinion even if they don’t really agree with what you are saying. They do this to respect and honor others’ opinions. Being too direct may be perceived as humiliating and the other person may come across as rude. Blunt communication makes Chinese people uncomfortable so they prefer the subtle, indirect ways of delivering their thoughts and opinions.

3 – Self-Promotion vs. Humility

In China, individuals are expected to treat each other well and to show humility when discussing successes. Sometimes, to avoid humiliating the second person, they would rather not discuss them at all. Self-promotion is generally frowned upon by the Chinese people. Contrary to the US, bragging is acceptable and may even be considered a norm. Americans are comfortable to openly discuss success. Some may even consider humility as a weakness rather than a virtue.

4 – Relationship vs. Economics

In China, they put a very strong emphasis on building social networks. They refer to this as “guanxi” in Chinese or “relationship” if literally translated. They use this in conducting business; by socializing and getting to know their customers before signing a deal with them. Relationship comes first, then trust and business will eventually follow. This process usually takes a long time which is contrary to how Americans do business.

Americans place a strong emphasis on speed and efficiency. Social interactions in the US however, are considered to be more casual and easy-going.

5 – Personal Life vs. Professional Life

In America, personal and professional lives are two separate things and should not overlap with each other. Colleagues may occasionally go out on office-sponsored functions or office parties to break the ice or get to know their coworkers on a personal level. But outside these gatherings, many of them don’t necessarily socialize or want to socialize with each other.

In China, the “guanxi” or relationship would again play a big role in their personal and professional lives. They are expected to personally know those whom they are working with to foster a genuine trust among them. Expect your managers or bosses to ask a lot about your personal life.

6 – On Saving Face

Chinese are known to have a long memory for both favors and humiliations. They take things personally and they hate losing face. They have a strong awareness that they should never be seen as a fool and lack self-control. This is the reason that Chinese don’t always express how they feel and they keep their opinions to themselves. Americans can express their thoughts more freely. They don’t mind making mistakes as much and actually believe that making mistakes is a part of the learning process. This is definitely worth knowing in the classroom, where the teacher needs to create an atmosphere where it is OK to make mistakes when using English.

7 – On Authority and Hierarchy

In China, hierarchy is what dictates authority. It is more likely to inform how they interact with each other. In the family, they are expected to listen to the one who is older. This is eminent on the order of birth in siblings that they have assigned different terminologies to distinguish between older and younger siblings. This also applies to extended family as you refer to an older uncle differently to the younger one.

This hierarchical social structure extends to the work place. The person with the highest position has the final say in decision making. Those below accept their place in the hierarchy and are expected to listen and obey without question. Americans, on the other hand, have greater fluidity between parents and their children, managers and employees and even among siblings. Decisions are usually made together and it is fairly common to see managers and employees undergo heated debates before coming up with a final decision.

Both Chinese and American values are unique and beautiful in their own ways. It’s sometimes unavoidable that friction or misunderstanding may occur when west meets east. But despite all the cultural differences, these gaps may still be bridged through cultural awareness and mutual consideration. Let us all be advocates of inter-cultural friendship and harmony in differences is sure to follow.

China has a lot to offer. If you are interested in learning more about their culture first hand while making a difference to the lives of students, ask us today on how you can begin this adventure. Teach English in China and be part of one of the fastest changing countries in the world. We offer a wide variety of high paying English teaching jobs in different major cities in China. Apply now.