Comments on: Looking Back At My Life In ESL http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/ by Ryan McLaughlin ~ The Humanaught Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:25:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Joe http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-27909 Joe Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:07:55 +0000 http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/2007/06/29/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-27909 Hi, just wanted to say thanks for the website, it truly is a font of knowledge - so cheers! My girlfriend and I are applying to the DD Dragon schools, ideally Suzhou. It'll be our first time teaching (bar the Trinity TESOL course lessons we taught) and so we're a bit nervous. When they say complete lessons plans are provided, how true a statement is this? I don't see this is a negative by the way, as I will relish any guidance in my first foray into teaching overseas! Again, cheers mate, love the site and the photo's - truly inspiring Joe Hi, just wanted to say thanks for the website, it truly is a font of knowledge – so cheers!

My girlfriend and I are applying to the DD Dragon schools, ideally Suzhou. It’ll be our first time teaching (bar the Trinity TESOL course lessons we taught) and so we’re a bit nervous. When they say complete lessons plans are provided, how true a statement is this? I don’t see this is a negative by the way, as I will relish any guidance in my first foray into teaching overseas!

Again, cheers mate, love the site and the photo’s – truly inspiring
Joe

]]> By: Ryan http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-24783 Ryan Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:18:34 +0000 http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/2007/06/29/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-24783 @Dani: You mean SEPS? Suzhou Experimental Primary School? I worked out at the SEPS boarding school, which is in the far north-end of town. It was a tough commute everyday, but the school, faculty and students are ace. SEPS teachers are generally handled by a teacher recruiter named Jun. He's an excellent guy. I've worked with a number of people in my time in China and a lot of them blow smoke up your ass - Jun talks to you straight and goes above what is expected to help you out. @Dani: You mean SEPS? Suzhou Experimental Primary School?

I worked out at the SEPS boarding school, which is in the far north-end of town. It was a tough commute everyday, but the school, faculty and students are ace.

SEPS teachers are generally handled by a teacher recruiter named Jun. He’s an excellent guy. I’ve worked with a number of people in my time in China and a lot of them blow smoke up your ass – Jun talks to you straight and goes above what is expected to help you out.

]]> By: Dani http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-24781 Dani Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:40:33 +0000 http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/2007/06/29/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-24781 Hi....Just read your blog...I am interested in teaching in China and recently came across a posting for SPES...just wondering what you think of the school. Would you recommend it? Or should I keep looking. Any info would be great! Thanks in advance. Hi….Just read your blog…I am interested in teaching in China and recently came across a posting for SPES…just wondering what you think of the school. Would you recommend it? Or should I keep looking. Any info would be great! Thanks in advance.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-23917 Ryan Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:52:26 +0000 http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/2007/06/29/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-23917 Sorry Anon, I should have clarified - there's very little room for advancement without moving to another country. As my life, for the time being, is in China, my choices were limited to remaining a teacher, becoming a school manager or starting my own school - all of which have little or no interest to me. Of course, if you wish to be a professional teacher, teaching ESL can be a solid stepping stone. But outside of that sphere (and I dare say few ESL teachers really have/had any ambition of being "real" teachers), transferability is limited - not absent, just limited. Sorry Anon, I should have clarified – there’s very little room for advancement without moving to another country. As my life, for the time being, is in China, my choices were limited to remaining a teacher, becoming a school manager or starting my own school – all of which have little or no interest to me.

Of course, if you wish to be a professional teacher, teaching ESL can be a solid stepping stone. But outside of that sphere (and I dare say few ESL teachers really have/had any ambition of being “real” teachers), transferability is limited – not absent, just limited.

]]> By: Anon http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-23908 Anon Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:11:11 +0000 http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/2007/06/29/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-23908 I disagree with you. There is opportunity for advancement but you have to invest in your development like any other line of work. If you went on to do an MA TESOL degree you could get into teacher training and university teaching. EFL is as much or as little as YOU make it. Good luck in your next adventure. I disagree with you. There is opportunity for advancement but you have to invest in your development like any other line of work. If you went on to do an MA TESOL degree you could get into teacher training and university teaching. EFL is as much or as little as YOU make it. Good luck in your next adventure.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-23233 Ryan Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:56:05 +0000 http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/2007/06/29/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-23233 @Krassen: It's not run by the same people. The Suzhou branch is a franchise. It's likely that the DD one is run by the original founder of DD - Steven. He's a really nice guy and will be a big help to you I'm sure. Shanghai's cost of living is much higher than the rest of China, but on par with the additional income you make there. As for food, if you eat like a local, it's very cheap. If you go out to XinTianDi every night and buy 70 RMB Heineken, your money will go faster than the over-priced beer. I can't say exactly how much you'll need, but I would budget about 25-40 RMB per meal if you're eating out. Cheap noodle shops or xiao long bao stands are great to get a bit to eat for a buck or so. @Krassen: It’s not run by the same people. The Suzhou branch is a franchise. It’s likely that the DD one is run by the original founder of DD – Steven. He’s a really nice guy and will be a big help to you I’m sure.

Shanghai’s cost of living is much higher than the rest of China, but on par with the additional income you make there. As for food, if you eat like a local, it’s very cheap. If you go out to XinTianDi every night and buy 70 RMB Heineken, your money will go faster than the over-priced beer.

I can’t say exactly how much you’ll need, but I would budget about 25-40 RMB per meal if you’re eating out. Cheap noodle shops or xiao long bao stands are great to get a bit to eat for a buck or so.

]]> By: Krassen http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-23232 Krassen Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:07:04 +0000 http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/2007/06/29/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-23232 Hi guys, I'm considering taking an ESL job at DD Dragon in Shanghai. Is it run by the same people who run it in Suzhou? The cost of living seems really high indeed, it's great the housing is free if you work for them. How much should I expect to spend for food in Shanghai per month (on average, considering I'll be eating out most of the time)? Thanks for your help! K. Hi guys,

I’m considering taking an ESL job at DD Dragon in Shanghai. Is it run by the same people who run it in Suzhou? The cost of living seems really high indeed, it’s great the housing is free if you work for them. How much should I expect to spend for food in Shanghai per month (on average, considering I’ll be eating out most of the time)?

Thanks for your help!

K.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-22818 Sarah Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:52:03 +0000 http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/2007/06/29/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-22818 Thank you so much and I know I will have a few more questions =) So are you and your wife going to be living in Suzouh for the summer? I see you have been many places around the world. Must be nice! Thank you so much and I know I will have a few more questions =) So are you and your wife going to be living in Suzouh for the summer? I see you have been many places around the world. Must be nice!

]]> By: Ryan http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-22811 Ryan Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:12:38 +0000 http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/2007/06/29/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-22811 Hey Sarah, that salary is decent with an included apartment. Photos might not be available because the apartment might not be rented yet. Bring RMB, or if you must, US dollars. As for how much... enough to get you buy for your first month, and then some security? I'd say you'd need about 4,000 RMB to live comfortably for a month (that's more than what my wife and I spend). Hey Sarah, that salary is decent with an included apartment. Photos might not be available because the apartment might not be rented yet.

Bring RMB, or if you must, US dollars. As for how much… enough to get you buy for your first month, and then some security? I’d say you’d need about 4,000 RMB to live comfortably for a month (that’s more than what my wife and I spend).

]]> By: Sarah http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/general/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-22810 Sarah Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:10:31 +0000 http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/2007/06/29/looking-back-at-my-life-in-esl/#comment-22810 p.s loooove your you tube videos, nice job! p.s loooove your you tube videos, nice job!

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