> I arrived in Shenyang in Feb 2005 to begin an eleven month contract
> with ALIFA Sushan Language Center.
> I have now just finished my contract and am going home with some
> amazing memories and a great attitude toward China.

> It was my job to fulfill my part of the contract which was teaching
> from 4:40-6:30 Tues-Fri and all day Sat and Sun (half hour break
> between each 1.5 hour block, and a 1.5 hour lunch). This is way less
> hours than anyone would ever work at home! If you plan your classes
> and really focus on the students, if you really try and interest them
> then you'll have an amazing time!

Hope you are a white-skinned lady to have merited such a good treatment from these racists.
> So much of my experience in China came from my students and my work
> environment. I couldn't have wished to work with a more helpful and
> friendly Chinese and foreign staff. I was never lied to and was
> treated with respect.

> I think my best advice to teachers would be to treat the job like you
> would treat any job at home; be on-time, don't come in drunk, be
> respectful, know what you're going to do in your classes, and have
> fun!!!

> Specifics about the school:
> 1) I was given an apartment (shower and bath, western toilet, bed,
> dvd player, tv, kitchen supplies, a small stove, refrigerator, table,
> closet and chairs) that I felt secure and comfortable in (it's China,
> don't expect a palace!) If there were repairs to be made or if I had
> complaints all I had to do was call the school.

> 2)I worked at school number 1 so I could walk to class everyday. The
> teachers who work at the other schools had their transportation
> provided.

> 3) My classes averaged about 18 students (mostly aged 6 to 12).

> 4) I taught mostly from the Fantasy series and from New Concept 1,
> and I had the freedom to go at my own pace or whatever pace I judged
> the students could maintain. I was free to expand upon the text
> and/or introduce additional material (do this! it's interesting for
> the students and they really appreciate it!)

> 5)Holidays: you get all Chinese national holidays off. Yes, this
> means you work on Christmas! Christmas is not a Chinese holiday. You
> can celebrate with the kids! They put on a little Christmas show and
> it's really cute:o) We also had a nice staff Christmas party.
> 6) I had all the help I wanted with regards to my VISA and other
> paperwork.

> 7) Shenyang is not the cleanest city but there are cool things to see
> (a palace and two tombs, botanical gardens and a cute 'mountain' to
> play on) and a very friendly expat community (see the website:
> www.liaoning-gateway.com ). There are a few pretty good night clubs
> and the city just opened a Subway restaurant and two Starbucks:o)

> Sushan Language Center was a great place to work! I had my
> independence but help was always just a phone call away! Suzanne is
> honest and helpful. She is a woman who runs four schools in China.
> The foreign teacher is expected to do his/her job! If you complete
> your part of the contract (which doesn't require much), she'll
> complete hers. She has a big family and she welcomes the foreign
> teachers into it.

> Have and open-mind and a sense of adventure (and a sense of
> humour:o)!! You'll have experiences to remember for the rest of your
> life!

> Finally, I am truly grateful to Suzanne and to the people I worked
> with. Without them I have no idea what my experience here would have
> been like.

> If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me!

> Cheers!

> Anna Gayton
> anna.gayton@gmail.com