News from our grads

Jayde and Colleen in China

Teaching English overseas became a family affair when Jayde Walker, her mother Colleen, and her three-year-old daughter Farryn set out for a teaching adventure in China.

1. What made you decide to teach English overseas?

Jayde: "I was definitely ready for a change and itching to travel again. Teaching English overseas allows you the opportunity to get the best possible experience out of living in a foreign country, while providing you with the security of an income, somewhere to live, while also giving something back. My daughter had turned three and was finally big enough to carry her own backpack! I was certainly motivated by how the experience would enrich her life. Coincidentally, my mother was having similar ideas of travelling and working overseas; we talked about it, and decided to go together."

Colleen: "I decided to teach English overseas to experience something new and to learn about a country I had little knowledge about. I have had international home-stay students in the past, and from conversations with them about their home town, local people, and typical life, I found myself wanting to experience these things first hand."

2. Where did you go, when did you leave, how long did you teach/travel for and when did you get back?

Jayde: "We left Brisbane at the end of October 2004 to work in Chongqing, P.R.China, and have been away for almost two years. Teaching English overseas allows you a lot of time to travel, due to school holidays and exams, which is just as well because China is so diverse, as it is gigantic. It's another world! Two weeks ago, I was in the Gobi desert with my daughter on a camel, and other than our guide we were the only people for as far as the eye could see, just sitting on these incredible sand dunes. It was magical.

"Warning! Don't go to China if you're camera shy. When westerners say they are treated like celebrities in China, it is no exaggeration. Autographs, TV, newspapers, everyone wants a piece of you. The Chinese adore children, and are extremely generous. They lavish you with attention and love to take your picture. We have been on TV so many times it's crazy! My mother had the surprise of her life when an entire town turned out to celebrate her birthday last year. There was a two-hour program of traditional dancing, musicians, bon fire and spit roasts, even a three-tier birthday cake with of course, the local TV news documenting the whole thing. The funniest part was we didn't even live in that town!"

3. What kinds of classes did you teach?

Jayde: "Everything from Grade 2 to lecturing in a University. Class sizes are huge in China. My smallest class had 30 students, and my largest 89! Average class size is 64 kids. It certainly makes things challenging, but most Chinese students are very disciplined when it comes to their schoolwork. It's impossible trying to remember their names though. I also taught private classes two nights a week."

Colleen: "I have taught classes from kindergarten through to senior two. My current timetable sees me teaching from grade 1, (5-year olds) through to Senior 3, (18-year olds). I also have some private adult classes that I teach in the evenings. Teaching has been a revelation. Initially I wasn't sure if I could do it, or whether I would be any good at it, but I love it! I have found my first love is teaching kindergarten and primary students, the age group that most teachers shy away from. I have discovered that teaching is something I want to continue doing for as long as I am able. It is one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life and to see my students so happy to see me walk into class that I get cheered, is the most unreal feeling."

4. Did you enjoy your time overseas? What did you get out of it?

Jayde: "Absolutely enjoyed it! I came away with an intense appreciation of how good we have it here and how much we take for granted. The weather, resources for school, unemployment benefits, seat belts! I also take my hat off to teachers everywhere. Respect! Oh and lots of holidays!!"

Colleen: "More than I thought possible! The friends you make are innumerable. China has a diverse culture as you travel through its many provinces. You find the people are friendly and their lifestyle is one that I am so totally in love with."

5. Do you have any funny or interesting stories?

Jayde: "Farryn attracts a lot of attention in China due to her blonde curls and blue eyes, especially in the smaller towns. Once, we were in the supermarket, buying a few things for our apartment...broom, bucket, mop. Farryn had become so fed up with people touching her hair and face that she sat in the shopping trolley with a bucket over her head so they couldn't see her for almost an hour!"

Colleen: "As foreign teachers in China, we are involved in all kinds of marketing and promotional activities for our school. On this occasion I was required to lip-sync Julie Andrews' part from 'The Sound of Music,' for a Mother's Day Concert. All went off without a hitch, and at the end of the show everyone came up to tell me how wonderful my singing was, and that I have the voice of an angel!"

6. How did your Teach International training help you while you were working overseas?

Jayde: "It gave me the tools for a smooth transition into an unfamiliar territory. I had never taught before, and suddenly the realisation that I'm going to have to actually do this for real, everyday, five times a day, dawned on me. Without the comprehensive training I received from Teach International I doubt I would have had the same success at all."

Colleen: "Teach International gave me a very sound base to work from and the great thing is even while you are in the field so to speak you can email them at any time and they are only too pleased to help you out. Now that's dedication!"

7. What would you say to someone thinking about doing the course/contemplating the teaching option?

Jayde: "As Nike would say 'Just do it!' The course really is the fundamental building block to a stress-free teaching experience. The information you gain is invaluable, and it's also reassuring to know you have ongoing support even while you're away. I also strongly suggest you start learning the language BEFORE you leave! It makes things infinitely easier if you know the basics already. It's challenging, frustrating, overwhelming, exciting and rewarding!"

Colleen: "GO FOR IT! You will never regret making probably the best move ever. I found a new life and developed a new way of thinking. I have never been treated so well or eaten out as much as I have since we travelled to China. Sometimes you are in danger of not having any time to yourself because your students and their families are so busy organising things for you to do and see. If you are having any doubts about whether this is for you, all I can say is, give it a go! If you aren't into being treated like a king or a queen then don't bother. I happen to love it!"

Jayde and Colleen Walker - Teach International Graduates

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