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Six Years Teaching in China: Lessons from the Classroom and Beyond

Over the past six years, I have lived in China and taught English across a wide range of institutions—kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and even a university. Each experience shaped me in a unique way, but one particular contract stands out: my time with Kid Castle, an English training school located opposite Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an.

Kid Castle wasn’t just another job. It was a chapter of my life I’ll never forget. Like many other training schools across China, Kid Castle operates as a franchise—each branch owned by different entrepreneurs but united under the same brand. While the business model was familiar, the human experiences within those walls were what made the difference.

As a foreign teacher in China, you quickly learn that your journey will involve the good, the bad, and the ugly. There’s no single narrative that fits every teacher, because much depends on the school you join, the management you work under, and the colleagues you share your days with.

Thankfully, I worked alongside many kind and professional teachers—white, black, and Chinese. My employers, Mrs. Rebecca and her assistant, Mrs. Britney, were genuinely humane and supportive, which is not something every teacher can claim. But like anywhere in the world, challenges were inevitable.

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Colleagues: Friendships and Friction

One of the hardest truths I witnessed was how fellow African teachers sometimes turned against one another. Driven by jealousy or the hope of gaining management’s favor, gossip and rivalry often replaced unity. Instead of being “our brother’s keeper,” some became obstacles to others.

Yet, in the long run, sycophancy rarely pays off. A king never fully trusts a flatterer, and a divided community only weakens itself. My biggest advice to any foreign teacher—especially Africans working abroad—is simple: speak less, observe more, and trust only the tested few.

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Competence and Education Standards

Teaching in China is not a free pass for foreigners. Competence matters. Every class is observed by Chinese assistant teachers, and if you’re unprepared or lack knowledge, you can be dismissed.

Chinese education is modeled largely on the U.S. system, with an emphasis on American English. Phonetics, in particular, is considered crucial. If a teacher lacks strong pronunciation skills, students will struggle—and the teacher will quickly find themselves under scrutiny.

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Character and Cultural Awareness

Character plays an enormous role in how smoothly a teacher’s experience unfolds. “Being yourself” can work both positively and negatively depending on how well your character aligns with local expectations.

China is a culture of unspoken rules. What may seem acceptable back home could be offensive here. The only way to thrive is to learn what not to do in China. If you respect their customs, avoid unnecessary conflicts, and approach people with humility, you will not just survive—you will thrive.

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Attitude to Work

Work ethic is taken seriously. Punctuality is non-negotiable. Lateness results in salary deductions, often after warnings. A good teacher is expected to come prepared with lesson plans, engage students meaningfully, and balance learning with play.

For new teachers, the best advice is to build connections with experienced colleagues, learn the structured teaching steps, and then add your personal “spice” to make lessons enjoyable.

One rule is absolutely unbreakable: never lay a hand on a child. Any physical punishment is grounds for immediate dismissal, deportation, or worse—possible arrest and medical bills for the child’s “treatment.” Discipline must always be creative, never physical.

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Racism: The Uncomfortable Reality

It would be dishonest not to mention racism. In China, as in many parts of the world, white teachers are often valued more highly than black teachers. Schools sometimes hire white teachers primarily as marketing tools, offering them higher salaries even for lighter workloads.

This reality is discouraging, but it should not be paralyzing. Racism exists everywhere, and it takes different forms—even among people of the same race or nationality. The best approach is not to dwell on unfair comparisons but to focus on your own growth, salary satisfaction, and personal goals.

One of the strangest experiences I encountered was the Chinese disbelief that a black person could be American. For many, “American” equates to white skin, and no amount of explanation could change their minds. It’s a misconception that reflects more ignorance than malice, but it can still be frustrating.

To my fellow black teachers: do not compromise your values in the pursuit of shortcuts. Those who betray themselves for quick success rarely find lasting fulfillment. Integrity, though sometimes costly, always pays in the long run.

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Final Reflections

Teaching in China taught me more than just how to manage a classroom. It taught me about resilience, cultural adaptation, and the complexity of human relationships. It showed me how small decisions—being punctual, respecting customs, choosing kindness over gossip—shape not only our careers but also our reputations.

As I reflect on these years, I am reminded of the words attributed to Odysseus:

“Men are haunted by the vastness of eternity. And so we ask ourselves: will our actions echo across the centuries? Will strangers hear our names long after we are gone, and wonder who we were, how bravely we fought, how fiercely we loved?”

If anyone tells my story, I want them to say that I walked with giants, that I lived and taught in a land far from my own, and that I left behind lessons not just in English, but in humanity.

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