Yes China! An English Teacher’s Love-Hate Relationship with a Foreign Country
Yes China! is a story about… wait for it… wait for it… tacos. You thought I was going to say China, didn’t you? Well, there might be something about China in here, but this is not your ordinary travelogue. Sure, I did the whole “traveling on a budget” thing and came face-to-face with some of the most horrifically poo and maggot-filled restrooms in existence, but the real reason I was in China was to teach. More specifically, I was there to pretend like I knew how to teach. Because I didn’t.
So how does someone who had no interest in China and no experience in teaching end up spending a total of two years there? It was a spontaneous decision to go in the first place, but through the series of cultural mishaps that followed, the embarrassing dates, teaching successes and failures, cross-country adventures, personal revelations, and moments of thinking, “What the hell am I doing?!” I fell in love.
Yes China! offers a unique look into the Chinese classroom as I butt heads with everyone from elementary and adult students to their school administrators. It is as much about life in modern China–the food, the language, the customs–as it is about how the experience helped me grow up and move past my social insecurities, conflicting Mormon upbringing, and self-defeating mindset. And, seriously, there really is a section about tacos in here, too.
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Hilarious journey,
I’ve read this book and let me give a hearty recommendation for anyone who has arrived here…, get the book. Clark has a unique sense of humor and if you get pleasure from laughing, this book will make you feel good.
I suspect a lot of people who land here might be those who are interested in trying their hand at teaching in China, for you, this book and Clark’s Teaching Guide are must buys. Clark’s work will give you a useful and unbiased look at what you will be getting into. He doesn’t pull punches and you’re going to laugh a lot along the way.
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|Truth,
Having taught English in China, I wish I had known everything in this book before I went. I had my own, very inaccurate ideas about China and when I came to live and work there, it was very stressful dealing with surprise after surprise. From tips for managing huge classrooms, to teaching lessons for every age level and type of educational setting, to living daily routines like shopping and being the only foreigner around, this hilarious book will prepare you for the experience like no other. It will help you make informed decisions about where to teach/work, what to expect when you do business with the Chinese, and even find fun things to do during your off hours. Even if you are not going to China to teach, you will learn a lot about the culture and what to expect when renewing your visa, finding a place to live, learning the language, and socializing. It is a quick, fun read, and an honest, clear view of what to expect. And when you are done, you will be able to navigate around China like a pro!
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|Inspiring, insightful, and hilarious,
Every time I crack open this book I get the overwhelming urge to travel again, or at the very least do something new. Because each chapter is a standalone essay, I leave this book out so I can randomly pick it up and read a section. If you have any interest in China, you’ll enjoy this book. Especially if you are looking into teaching English. It is a very unique and insightful look at Chinese culture, and it’s pretty dang funny to boot.
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