WWW.TEACHINTERNATIONAL.COM

SHANGHAI QUICKFACTS!A city of opportunity, Shanghai awaits you. Check out some of the basics A city of opportunity, Shanghai awaits you. Check out some of the basics

that this booming ESL market has to offer.that this booming ESL market has to offer.

THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME!

With a population of around 17 million, Shanghai is China’s most populous city and business people, students, and tourists fl ock here in order to take advantage of the opportunities and to discover a culture that has only recently been opened to us. Teaching is not only a way to have a afford your overseas travel, but it is also a valuable experience that builds personal skills, develops careers, and opens minds. There are also plenty of jobs in education, as the Chinese see English as a key to high-paying jobs both in China and abroad. The demand for English classes and native speakers seems limitless.

The CultureShanghai has a little bit of everything, depending on where you spend your time. Culturally, you can retreat to the comforts of home, or you can venture out and experience the local life. High end places in the city are fi lled with people in high fashion going to stores like Versace, Tiffany’s, and Chanel. Other parts of the city show much more of a mixture of class and dress, but with a tendency towards modern cosmopolitan not found in other parts of China.

Shanghai has a culture of activity, a busy city where aside from the daily commute to and from work, people make the time to run to the fresh market each day for groceries, walk around the city and maybe do a little shopping, and even take part in early morning exercises or evening dance groups in parks and other pedestrian areas.

People in Shanghai value good food, and have a taste for the exotic. So apart from traditional Chinese, many foods can be

found like Brazilian barbeques, Hong Kong specialties, Japanese cuisine, and food from places like Turkey. Of particular note are Hot Pot restaurants, where the broth is cooked at your table and you add the foods you’d like to eat to the broth.

Performing arts can be found all over the city and range from plays and operas, to concerts from international superstars. Chinese opera and acrobatic shows are also featured in the city, and cinema complexes are found all over the city.

Shanghai strongly values education and competition, and on weekends it is common to see contests on television and around shopping centres. Competition can range from English speaking contests to music or modeling competitions. The people in Shanghai are in a race to get ahead, to make more money and give their children a better education. That’s great news for anyone looking to teach English in this region.

For more info, check out:

http://www.shanghai.alloexpat.com/shanghai_information/culture_shanghai.php

ESL TeachingTeaching English is the staple work for a large number of expatriates in Shanghai. In the quest to make Shanghai a truly international metropolis, local people are soaking up the English language as fast as new teachers can show up. Whether you are already a professional or a brand new teacher, there is something for you in Shanghai. Kindergartens, universities, language institutes, and private students are all looking for both general English and business English teachers. Many local and international schools cater to a variety of ages and levels.

Full-time work consists of about 20 contact hours. The time is spent teaching classes, leading English corners, and performing other duties at the school. Class preparation time is in additional to the contact hours, but once you have some experience, you will fi nd your preparation time is reduced. Most schools have materials available, including books, tapes or CDs, DVDs, and other supplementary tools. Computers and Internet service are often readily available.

Most reputable and well-paying schools require you have a TESOL certifi cate or equivalent. Some schools may also look for practical as well as academic training, meaning that Teach International’s Certifi cate III or IV TESOL courses will give you the most options for employment in Shanghai.Salaries can range from as low as RMB 4,000 to as high as RMB 15,000 per month (AU$850 - $3,200, NZ$990 - $3,700) depending on the school and your experience. Another option is to do private tutoring where you can decide what to charge, but you will have to check your contract to see if your employer allows you to take on private students in your own time.

In terms of fi nding a job, there are many positions to choose from, so you really need to make sure you do your research before accepting a contract. Some employers will offer accommodation, airfare reimbursement, an end-of-contract bonus and free Chinese language lessons. Most soon-to-be teachers arrive on a 90-day tourist visa and once in Shanghai their employer helps them obtain the appropriate working visa.

The Weather The best times to visit Shanghai are in spring or autumn. The city has a subtropical maritime monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons. Generally, the warm spring and cool autumn are the more comfortable seasons. While summer and winter are far less pleasant. Overall, Shanghai enjoys a mild and moist climate. Shanghai’s temperature is the highest in July and August when the temperature can reach 35 degrees celcius. The coldest period is from the end of January to early February. From March to May, the conditions are pleasant so this is the best season for traveling. From mid-June to early July it is diffi cult to tell whether it will be wet or dry and the rainfall will often equal a quarter of the city’s annual total! From late August and through to late September, typhoons can bring heavy rainfalls.

Getting AroundShanghai isn’t exactly a walker’s paradise. There are some fascinating areas to stroll around, but new road developments, building sites and heavy traffi c conditions conspire to make walking an exhausting experience. Travelling on buses can also be hard work; the routes, and particularly the stops, are not easy to fi gure out and buses are packed at rush hour. The metro and light railway system, on the other hand, work perfectly. Taxis are cheap and hassle-free as long as you avoid the rush hours. Most drivers are honest, but you should always go by the meter. As private cars become increasingly affordable to the new middle class, traffi c is becoming noticeably heavier.

Nightlife in ShanghaiIn the last few years, the possibilities for an excellent night on the town have broadened considerably, and while Shanghai is still not in the same league as some of the big players like Hong Kong or Paris, it is fast becoming a city that never sleeps.

Those looking for some culture in their night out can fi nd large-scale performances of acrobatics, musicals, opera, dance, theatre, and classical and contemporary music. New state-of-the-art theatres and auditoriums have attracted big acts in recent years.

Nightclubs and bars are also booming, with places opening and closing faster than night can turn into day. Live rock and jazz can be heard into the wee hours (although 2am is the offi cial closing hour), and the dance club scene now employs DJs, foreign and local, to keep the younger set raving. The big hotels often have elegant lounges on their top fl oors and some of Shanghai’s best bars in their lobbies.

City Cost GuideBackpacker Accommodation: CNY 47.88 AU 10.45 NZ 11.95 US 7Three-star Accommodation: CNY 400 AU 87.52 NZ 100 US 58.48Three course meal: CNY 120 AU 26.26 NZ 29.97 US 17.55Bottled water: CNY 5 AU 1.09 NZ 1.25 US 0.73Beer: CNY 3 AU 0.66 NZ 0.75 US 0.44Jeans: CNY 200 AU 43.77 NZ 49.92 US 29.24Metro ticket CNY 4 AU 0.88 NZ 1 US 0.58

A couple of phrases to get you startedTo most foreigners, the Chinese language is overwhelming; there is no doubt about it. These phrases will help get you started prior to your course.

Ni hao: (nee how) – helloThis is the most common way to say hello in China, and is typically understood regardless of your pronunciation.

Xie xie: (shay shay) – thank youThis is the fi rst phrase to know. You cannot be thankful enough for the many waiters/waitresses, cab drivers, and citizens for helping you get the things you want without knowing the language they speak. This phrase typically raises a smile, as it is greatly appreciated, and often expected.

Bu yao: (boo yow) – don’t wantLiterally translates to “no want.” This phrase is especially useful in the major tourist areas in Shanghai, where countless vendors are continuously trying to make a sale.

Wo yao yi ping shui: (whoa yow ee peeng shway) -I would like a bottle of waterA little lengthy, but very useful, as water taken directly from the tap is not drinkable in China. Every restaurant or hotel provides bottled water.

Cesuo zai nar: (tsuh-swhoh zi (rhyming with eye) nahr) - Where is the restroom? This phrase is rather self-explanatory. Even if the person being asked responds in more Chinese than you can handle, they will at least point you in the right direction.

Wo e le: (whoa uh luh) - I am hungryProbably the most basic way to get someone to help you fi nd food.

Zai jian: (zi jee-ann) - good bye

Duo shao qian: (dwoh shaow chee-ann) – How much does it cost?A phrase especially helpful in the many markets around town.

Wo bu shuo zhongwen: (woh boo shwoh jong-wun) - I don’t speak Chinese.

Numbers:

Yi (ee) – one Er (ar) - twoSan (sahn) – threeSi (suh) – fourWu (woo) – fi veLiu (lee-oh) – sixQi (chee) – sevenBa (bah) – eightJiu (jee-oh) – nineShi (shr) – ten

Although these ten phrases may seem tough to master, it is a good idea to at least try. Most Chinese will truly appreciate your effort, even if your pronunciation is nearly unintelligible.

Source: www.MandarinDay.com

Getting thereSome airlines fl y direct to Shanghai and others that include one stopover en-route. This is not a complete list of all airlines available, so if you wish to use a different airline please do so. These airlines don’t fl y out of every Australian or New Zealand city so you will need to check individual websites for departure and price details.

Direct fl ights:www.qantas.com.auwww.airnewzealand.co.nzwww.evaair.comwww.ce-air.com

Via Kuala Lumpurwww.asiaair.comwww.malaysiaair.com

Via Singaporewww.singaporeair.com

Via Thailandwww.thaiair.com

Via Hong Kongwww.cathaypacifi c.com

Via South Koreawww.koreanair.com

Relevant WebsitesGeneral Referencehttp://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/china/shanghai/

http://www.shme.com/shanghai_other/travel/trave_p.htm

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai.htm

ESL Employmenthttp://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/china.shtml

http://www.abroadchina.org/person/all.asp?key=24

http://www.teachabroad.com/listings.cfm/countryID/16/cityID/2830

Study and holiday in energetic Shanghai with Teach International!