"I was the first ELA at my school, and so was a bit of a novelty at first. Teachers and students were really keen to talk to me. Within the first two weeks, I had dinner at almost all the English teachers’ homes. I have even been to dinner with some of the students and their families, which sounds weird, but has always been fine, even with students whose family couldn’t speak any English. My original mentor teacher went to teach in England a week after I arrived, and so I was assigned another mentor, a young English teacher called Jessica. Several of the other English teachers I share an office with are also very helpful, and have done so much to make me feel welcome and at home here, including taking me out for dinner to celebrate my birthday. I am included and invited in all the teacher’s activities, days out and sports competition.   

My flat is quite nice and because I’m the first ELA at my school, everything was new- double bed, big corner sofa, TV, DVD, washing machine, air con. But there is no central heating, so that in the winter, even if it’s not that cold outside (and it really doesn’t get that cold in Foshan) it will be cold inside! Only big downside is the fact I have a squat toilet! A shock initially, but it’s not too bad really. I live in a teacher’s building on the 4th floor, within the school grounds, but I don’t have a curfew. My mentor teacher lives opposite me, so is close at hand for problems, or anything.

Many of the testimonials I read before coming out here recommended bringing lots of digital resources and photos, I definitely agree. Even though not all of my classrooms have projectors or computer equipment, they are still the resources I have used most. Bring photos of your family, friends and places in the UK… the biggest (and funniest) response was to a photo of my house. The kids were amazed by my standard semi-detached house, and teachers asked whether I was upper class!! A map of the world is also useful. And Blue tack is a must!

I have just got back from our Spring Festival holiday, the biggest opportunity you will have to travel. I had five weeks of no teaching. We decided to stay in China, although many of my friends went to Vietnam, Thailand etc. We went to Taiwan (direct flights from Guangzhou to Taipei have only recently started operating), Harbin, Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu. We travelled by plane, sleeper bus and train. China is a huge country, and travel can be very time consuming, so we did the biggest journeys by plane, but all our experiences of bus and train travel were good. Aside from the Spring Festival, I have also had the opportunity to go to Hong Kong and Macau for long weekends, and the Philippines during the October national holiday. Most weekends I also travel the hour and half journey to Guangzhou to stay with other ELAs, as my town is small, with only one other foreigner, and nothing going on at weekends!   

My advice to future assistants is to be flexible! Things often change at the last minute. I have lost count of the number of times I have been called when in my flat, to be told that my lessons have been rearranged and start in five minutes. Holidays are also announced late, maybe even only days before they begin, which can be annoying. The overly bureaucratic nature is laughable at times, they love those red stamps! It can prove testing at times. But remain open minded and flexible… The year will go really quickly and you have to remember to make the most of it and not to get wound up by the little things!   "