cara.b Nov 11, 2015 Comments(4)

No matter how much you read and practice your tones and learn characters, it can be disappointing and even downright discouraging when you still have trouble understanding what you’re hearing. Here are some tips to help you improve your Mandarin listening comprehension.There are many ways to improve your Chinese listening. The most effective ... Read More>>

ada1351 Oct 21, 2015 Comments(4)

A lot has been documented about the foreign teacher trudging thousands of miles to teach English as a foreign language. Many expats and foreign students in China have joined the new English Language Education Frontier. A quick glance at the daily new job openings on echinacities and many more job sites in China show that the demand for English ... Read More>>

hmvanhanen Oct 18, 2015 Comments(2)

When I arrive in Riyuewan (The Sun and the Moon bay) in Hainan, China’s coconut island, I’m struck in awe by the colors. The azure blue sky spreads over the pale turquoise sea whose waves lazily roll at the beach of fine, golden sand, and the whole view is framed by palm trees. The air is fresh and moist, and the beach is almost deserted. ... Read More>>

BHGAL Oct 08, 2015 Comments(2)

2015-10-08Random thoughts recorded during and after typhoon Mujigae. 04/10/2015 12:15 PMRelentless stormI have been in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China for 4 years, had a number of typhoons (MAYBE 4) pass through here.Never had a direct hit though, I guess. This barrage is not even a typhoon, just a tropical storm or depression as the meteorologists ... Read More>>

beng56 Sep 16, 2015 Comments(2)

大家好！你们今天怎么样？OK, guys today I will cover surviving your first ESL class.Walking into the classroom to teach your first class is nerve racking no matter the amount of training you have had.As a new teacher in China, you can expect to be thrown into the classroom unprepared and expected to teach right off the bat.I myself had an awful ... Read More>>

cherrielou Aug 24, 2015 Comments(4)

Forbes has released its list of best-paid actresses, and it will come asno surprise at all that 25-year-old J.Law is crushing it at the very top. Lawrence raked in $52 million pre-tax during Forbes’ 12-month time frame — nearly $20 million more than in 2014. She stole the top spot from Sandra Bullock (who went from $51 million to $8 million). ... Read More>>

miss_smith Aug 24, 2015 Comments(1)

I've heard so many stereotypes about Russians, that I have to explain some things to you.1. VodkaWe are not alcoholics. I've been to China and trust me, they drink MUCH MORE. The difference is that we KNOW HOW to drink and most of other nations don't. That's why we can drink more and don't fall asleep or vomit. 2. Russian girls.Yes, we are ... Read More>>

wandering_dao Aug 20, 2015 Comments(2)

This week we have been very lucky to have a Daoist Priest and Scholar staying with us, Master Xuzhong. For the last 6 days he has been kind enough to answer all our weird and wonderful questions about life, the universe and all things in between. He even made time to complete our Daoist Astrology charts, a really enlightening experience.Before ... Read More>>

zahid_201193 Aug 11, 2015 Comments(3)

 Learning from my mistakes...Amazing blog..Star of the Week – the black hole of praise The ‘Star of the Week’ has become my new enemy. Having two daughters in a primary school, I am overly familiar with this behaviour strategy. Each Friday we wait to see if our one of our daughters has been lucky to achieve the glory that is ‘Star of the ... Read More>>

Sakhtar Aug 10, 2015 Comments(2)

Chinese is one of the most spoken languages all over the world. Its importance is increasing day by day and more and more students, businessmen and employers are being encouraged to learn this comprehensive language. It is a plus point for employees who are looking for a job in international or multi-national companies to know Chinese Language. ... Read More>>

Sakhtar Aug 10, 2015 Comments(2)

Are you planning to study in China? Yes, no doubt, your choice is good. China is the future of the world. Even the smallest product and biggest aircraft parts are made in China. But, I would like to give you an importance advice before you enter China. This advice is very helpful for your future in this big country. Well, I am not asking for ... Read More>>

wandering_dao Aug 06, 2015 Comments(2)

“When I let go of who I am, I become who I might be.” – Lao TzuIt’s not easy to let go. Old habits, old relationships, old clothes… they all seem to hang around far longer than we want or need them to. It can be so difficult to break away from the tensions of our lives. The same can be said for those held within our bodies too. In a recent ... Read More>>

wandering_dao Aug 06, 2015 Comments(1)

Visit the fashionable neighbourhoods of New York, London or Paris and you are sure to see the obvious hotspots… a quirky coffee shop, a farmers market, a spinning club. But the last few years have seen a new health trend emerge in cities all over the world. Meditation is hip, and there are studios popping up everywhere, offering respite from ... Read More>>

chineseschools Aug 05, 2015 Comments(4)

The Most Magic Drinks in China - Hot Water!!!Do you know it and do you know why? Let's see the interesting conversation happens often, might happened between you and your Chinese friends.When Chinese girls go to bars, some of them won't order beer or any other alcohol, guess what?! We will order “Hot Water”, also with lemon or lime in it! Of ... Read More>>

chineseschools Jul 31, 2015 Comments(7)

7 Important Things you have to know before signing up for HSK Testby Jenny Wang, Chinese Teacher from SN Mandarin Shanghai 1. Paper -and-pen or Online?Starting in 2010, there have been two versions of HSK test. One is paper-and-pen based and the other is electronic online. Both are held at exactly the same time. The test items and standards are ... Read More>>

thabet_sava Jun 20, 2015 Comments(1)

As my 65th birthday approaches, I have begun to contemplate my life after retirement. The following questions were persistently imposed upon my train of thought.Is 65 the end of the road for my teaching career? Am I ready to stop teaching, bearing in mind the fact that it is the passion of my life? Did I share all my knowledge and wisdom with my ... Read More>>

jdredd1 Jun 15, 2015 Comments(9)

How can we, as teachers, get the parents to open there eyes? I have traveled to China for several years, Married a wonderful chinese lady, and even teach here. I have tried to understand sthe culture of China and my wife has tried her best to help me with this. The thing i still do not understand is the sheer number of parents who will entrust ... Read More>>

nzteacher80 Jun 05, 2015 Comments(20)

In my first few months in China it seemed as though every second bowel movement was an emergency. I’d often find myself at the end of the day lugging bags of shopping up several flights of stairs to my appartment only to drop the shopping outside the door. I would then feverishly fidget with the keys while crossing my legs in an attempt ... Read More>>

thabet_sava Jun 02, 2015 Comments(6)

After residing in China for the past twelve years, I still dread the arrival of summer due to the fact that I am having an endless struggle with the smart yet aggravating Chinese mosquitoes. Regardless of my efforts, I seem to fail in persuading them to leave me alone in order to accomplish the impossible task of having a peaceful night sleep. ... Read More>>

ManGod May 27, 2015 Comments(12)

I have been living in China for 3 months now after visiting China twice last year and staying here 2 months each time. Unlike most of the foreign post I have read here, I am not confined to one basically tourist area(ie Beijing, Singapore, Hong Kong etc). I have traveled to many destinations foreigners seldom see or travel to. I have seen more ... Read More>>

thabet_sava May 22, 2015 Comments(2)

Recently, I had the misfortune of dealing with individuals in the Chinese public sector when my Chinese wife and I went to notarize some documents. I was perplexed and bewildered by the manners in which the employees at the notary offices responded to her inquiries. They were shouting at her for asking questions regarding the notarization ... Read More>>

thabet_sava May 22, 2015 Comments(34)

Being a Muslim author and educator, I have been. Frequently, asked by some of my students about ISIS and why it is becoming a fixture in the Western as well as the Chinese media. I attempted to explain to them that ISIS has nothing to do with Islam or its principles. I realized that due to the extensive coverage of the movement, most youth ... Read More>>

thabet_sava May 22, 2015 Comments(2)

During my more than ten years of teaching experience in China, I noticed that most of my students were facing obstacles in attaining competence in the English language despite studying for more than six to ten years. As an educator, I was motivated to seek effective means to help the Chinese students in general and my own in particular in ... Read More>>

thabet_sava May 22, 2015 Comments(1)

After residing in China for the past twelve years, I had the opportunity to explore the exotic city of Guilin. Actually, it was my second visit to the city. However, during my first visit, I had no time to enjoy its magical scenery. During my recent visit, I was accompanied by Chinese wife, which facilitated our movements since my Chinese leaves ... Read More>>

eloise1 May 04, 2015 Comments(22)

Whether it’s to impress your mates by directing the cab driver to the next bar, having a conversation at a work banquet, or bargaining for the best price in a Chinese market, it helps to speak some Chinese. It could help you score extra points with the boss, your mates, or that cute girl you’re trying to impress. Besides the usual ... Read More>>