teaching english in china horror stories

One horror story could be having to teach in extremely overcrowded classrooms with no proper teaching aids. There are so many students that it's hard to give individual attention. Another might be dealing with parents who have unrealistic expectations about their children's English proficiency improvement in a very short time. For example, they expect their kids to be fluent after just a few weeks of classes.

Yes. Some teachers have faced situations where students are not at all interested in learning English. They are forced to be in the class by their parents, and they create a negative atmosphere. For example, they constantly talk among themselves or use their mobile phones during class.

Some horror stories involve the students themselves. There are cases where students are not interested in learning English at all, and they can be quite disruptive in class. This makes teaching a real challenge. Additionally, there can be horror stories around the lack of support from the schools. Teachers may not have access to proper teaching materials or training, and yet they are expected to deliver high - quality English lessons. It's like being set up to fail in a way.

One interesting story could be about a teacher who used local Chinese folktales to teach English. For example, the teacher would rewrite the story of 'The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl' in English and use it to teach vocabulary and grammar. The students were highly engaged as they were already familiar with the basic plot, and it made learning English more fun.

My horror story was related to the weather. I had to commute a long distance to the school where I taught English. One day, there was a huge typhoon, but the school didn't cancel classes. I had to struggle through the strong winds and rain just to get there, and when I arrived, half of the students were absent because it was too dangerous for them to come. It was a waste of my effort and also a very scary experience in the bad weather.

Another might be related to housing issues. Some English teachers in Korea have found themselves in accommodation provided by the school that was in a really bad state. It could be dirty, infested with bugs, or in an unsafe neighborhood. Imagine arriving in a new country and having to deal with such a living situation while also trying to focus on teaching. It's a real nightmare.

One common horror story is the housing situation. Teachers might be promised a decent place to live but end up in a run - down, dirty apartment with lots of problems like leaky roofs or no hot water. It's really a nightmare.

An inspiring story is about a female English teacher who integrated modern technology into her teaching. She used apps and online platforms to make her classes more interactive. For example, she used language - learning apps for vocabulary practice and online video platforms for students to watch English - speaking videos and then discuss in class. Her students' English proficiency improved significantly, and her method inspired other teachers in the school.

The most common one is probably the large class sizes. It's really a struggle to manage so many students at once. Another common horror story is the cultural differences that can lead to misunderstandings. For instance, the concept of 'saving face' in Thai culture can make it difficult to correct students in a straightforward way. And the weather can also be a horror factor. The humidity and heat can make teaching in some classrooms quite unbearable.

Biggest challenge is the cultural gap. Western teaching concepts don't always fit in Vietnam. For example, group work which is common in the West may not be as effective due to different social norms.