What did you most like about your job here, and why did you apply for it in the first place?

I most liked the feeling of achievement and satisfaction when a lesson I’ve taught has gone well. It’s very clearly shown when the students have learnt something new and had fun doing it. The reason I applied, like many travellers, was to get residency visas and find a job that pays the rent. This served my aim of staying with my girlfriend, and experiencing China.

What did you most dislike about the your job here?

Focusing on the job itself, I most disliked the lack of direction. I ended up contriving a lot of standards for myself to follow, and it was often commented by others that I “was responsible”. I don’t feel the environment had adequate feedback mechanisms.

Why did you choose to leave?

Life aims had been met, financial requirements changed, and unsatisfied with current future prospects of this type of work.

Of the skills you used here, which gave you the most satisfaction? Why?

The feeling of success and when my detail focused lesson planning paid off with very easy, effective and successful lesson.

Of the duties, which made you feel your best? Why?

Through the course of daily teaching duties (preparing lesson plans and then giving lessons) I feel that teaching motivated classes made me feel the best, because it’s very clear that the students have taken something valuable away with them. Although the preparation may have taken a lot of time the actual teaching seems to become almost effortless in this sort of environment. In addition to this, I derived a lot of confidence and satisfaction from having classes observed and materials I’d written for class appreciated by other teachers.

What skills and responsibilities would you like to use in your next job?

I’d like to use my new found confidence, ability with public speaking, and continue to use these skills together with the detail-centred thoroughness (and responsibility) people have said that I have.

Of the skills you used here, which were the least fulfilling?

One of the main cultural differences I found less easy to deal with was staff not giving enough prior warning for various activities. This is not a particular problem of where I was, but a systemic cultural difference. I found it uncomfortable to have to adapt to situations because of lack of notice. Later it became hard work to deal with the information I had and anticipate situations, because the reality was that I wasn’t going to be told the relevant information in sufficient time for me to be fully responsible as a teacher. I felt that dealing with this was unnecessary and un-fulfilling.

Which tasks did you dread the most? Why?

Transcribing listening tasks (involving multiple speakers), in order for students to have a written record of the exercise. It was tedious work, took a long time and energy, and something automated programmes can’t easily handle, but should be more successful at.