Amy’s Story – Teaching English in China

Amy, a recent graduate from Birmingham City University shares her first 6 months with F&Y Consultant Ltd.

I knew I always wanted to travel once I graduated, especially to China, I just wasn’t sure how I was going to do it. I trolled the internet for quite a while looking for jobs working abroad, I was quite put off how so many companies were based in China, I just didn’t think I could make such a big move while not actually speaking with anyone in Birmingham first!

That is when I found F&Y Consultant Ltd., as soon as I applied I received a call a few hours later and I was already doing my first online interview! By two weeks I had been offered a contract and all that needed doing was finalising all my paper work and my TEFL certificate, Elaine, the recruitment consultant, was really helpful putting everything in place for me and I finally started to feel excited! This was actually happening!

Arriving in China was really exciting but also quite overwhelming, I was met at the airport by a representative from the school and she took me to my apartment, once I settled in and met a few of the other international teachers I knew I was really going to love this experience!

I actually had a couple of weeks before I started teaching so I got to travel around and get a feel of the place, I’m staying in Wuhan city, which is by far better than I was expecting! the restaurants are really cheap and a great place to learn Chinese! The nightlife is so vibrant and fun and the night markets are truly remarkable! I also met the other teachers so I actually had friends in the school I was teaching in which really made such a big difference!

My first day teaching at English First (EF) School was really exciting, I was welcomed with open arms by the teachers and the students were immaculately behaved. I felt ready to teach and my TEFL course was all coming back to me. I wanted to get to know my class so I decided to use fun speaking games to get them learning. Below is  a picture of my class showing me their favourite dance pose, they learned to describe this in English.

Since arriving in China I have had such amazing experiences, apart from having the privilege to teach English to amazing young children, in my free time (which is a lot as my contract is only 20 hours per week)  I have walked along the Great Wall of China, I have climbed mountains and swam under waterfalls and I have had the chance to cuddle cute Pandas! F&Y Consultant Ltd gave me a free package to volunteer at the Panda sanctuary, which they do with all their new applicants after signing a contract, I even got a certificate!

I am looking forward to continuing my journey in China and I am so thankful for this amazing opportunity!

Are you ready to start your adventure teaching English in China?