Yesterday's Lantern Festival marks the beginning of the 2019 Spring school semester for most SDE teachers. Many are returning from home or trips abroad while some of our teachers are arriving in China for the very first time. In the upcoming weeks, let’s welcome these new additions to our team…...
From the Outside Looking In Part 3: Future of ESL in China by Austen Beck
China has made me feel anything but “big,” it’s respectfully made me feel very small, which I’ve come to very much appreciate. China, a world leading power, is progressing faster than ever in its education system. It’s taking on new ideas with different approaches, shaping educators to be energetic and…...
From the Outside Looking In Part 2: China's Quest for Knowledge and Perfection by Austen Beck
China has made me feel anything but “big,” it’s respectfully made me feel very small, which I’ve come to very much appreciate. China, a world leading power, is progressing faster than ever in its education system. It’s taking on new ideas with different approaches, shaping educators to be energetic and…...
From the Outside Looking In Part 1: My Observations of the Chinese Education System by Austen Beck
China has made me feel anything but “big,” it’s respectfully made me feel very small, which I’ve come to very much appreciate. China, a world leading power, is progressing faster than ever in its education system. It’s taking on new ideas with different approaches, shaping educators to be energetic and…...
Pingshan District: Living Beyond the Shenzhen 'Burbs by Tomas Baer
On arriving in central Shenzhen, I noticed that the huge city was similar to most cities, with a plenty to see, eat and do, and while the people in it were not as heterogeneous as the cities I had known before, foreigners were not an uncommon sight day to day.…...
Leaving China: A Weekend at Uncle Li’s by Laura Grace Tarpley
My husband and I were nervous about this weekend. We work at a lovely Primary School together in Shenzhen. Our principal, Mr. Li, is friendly but doesn’t speak much English. One day at lunch he said, “Daniel! Lola!” (How he pronounces Laura.) “You. Me. Hometown. Saturday.” At first, I was…...
Get Your Culture on at Dafen Oil Painting Village by Leanne Overby
After realizing that my dreams of traveling around mainland China on weekends could not become a reality, I decided to switch gears and start searching for write-home worthy hidden gems in this crazy, massive city I call home. I live in the outer Longgang District of Shenzhen, and I’ll be…...
Conquering Chinese Culture Shock in Three Easy Steps by Courtne Dixon
I’m alert in the packed line four train. A 4’11 woman stands with her forehead buried in my back, as a man’s elbow stabs me in my side. Then I hear the telltale signs of impending, unpaid sick leave in the air…cough, cough. At first, the gravelly cough is so…...
Branching Out For Better Stories: My B-List Celebrity Experience by Laura Grace Tarpley
When I opened the text message asking if I wanted to be in a video about Bao’an District in Shenzhen, I was hesitant. “The video is about a Western girl who rides her bike around Bao’an,” Jason, the SDE employee, explained in his message. I assumed the “Western girl” was…...