So we have been here about a month now with another three to go. After leaving China three years ago to begin my retirement in Chiang Mai, Thailand, I had no idea that I would be back teaching in this country again so soon! But there always seems to be a new surprise around the corner.
For anyone looking for an opportunity to travel the world, working for one of the many international schools that are scattered around the globe is a great choice. My six years working for MLIS in Wuhan was probably the best six years of my career. Not the most responsible way to spend the last few years of my teaching life (I should have continued to sock money away into the BC Teachers Pension Plan until I was 65) but a hell of a lot more fun! When I was invited to return to the Maple Leaf system a month ago for a short-term gig, it didn’t take long to accept.
Maple Leaf International School – Tianjin TEDA is one of over a dozen schools in the Maple Leaf system scattered throughout China. Unlike most international schools, the overwhelming majority of the students are Chinese. Yes, they are international schools but pretty much in name only. They are international more because they teach the British Columbia curriculum then because of the diversity of the student body.
Students graduate from the system with the same piece of paper that BC students end up with; the Dogwood certificate. They take the same courses, write the same provincial exams on the same days, and use the same textbooks. Only BC certified teachers are hired. A strict accreditation process is followed to ensure that everything is “tickety boo” when it comes to following BC offshore school regulations.
Like the other schools in the network, Maple Leaf International School – Tianjin TEDA is more Chinese than Western when it comes to everything other than the curriculum. Students still celebrate all the Chinese holidays. They concurrently take several Chinese high-school courses which results in a heavy course load and a long school day. The Chinese culture is still a big part of school activities. There is a Chinese administrative staff and BC administrative staff, Chinese teachers and BC teachers.
Almost every kid will attend university overseas when they graduate, most in Canada, some in the States and the rest scattered around the world. At Maple Leaf, speaking and learning English is their main objective. Other courses are not so bad but it is not hard to understand that this is their biggest challenge. In Grade 12, they write the same English 12 exams as the Canadian students. If they can get 60%, they are happy! Many couldn’t speak much English only a few years earlier.
For the most part, these are great students to work with. They are motivated, hard-working, and driven to succeed. At the same time, they always seem to find time for other stuff; music, art, dance, theatre, etc. How they do is beyond me! Of course, there are always going to be a few duds, but what else is new? Teenagers are teenagers! Whether I was teaching in Quebec, BC, Scotland or China, I never had 100% prima donnas in my classes. But the Maple Leaf students are a damn fine bunch of teens!
In the past, I have heard some teachers whine about the schools here. It’s China! The kids are Chinese. More than half the staff is Chinese. Maple Leaf is not catering to “international” students. It’s not going to be the same as Canada.
Washrooms don’t always have soap. They never have toilet paper. Welcome to China! Classrooms are never cleaned, it’s up to the homerooms and the teachers. Welcome to China! Have mold on the wall? Just paint over it. Welcome to China! Looking for a western toilet as opposed to a squatty potty? Good luck in some of the schools! Actually, good luck anywhere you go! Welcome to China!
But as far as I am concerned the good far outweighs the bad here. I enjoyed my six years in Wuhan and I am loving every day here at Maple Leaf International School – Tianjin TEDA. If I wasn’t gunning to return back to my retired life, I would seriously consider sticking around. But thirty years of teaching and over 7000 students is more than enough!
For anyone thinking of teaching overseas, go for it! You won’t regret it and you’ll enter a new world that could change your life. Maple Leaf is only one possibility. You can find out more info about employment at MLES here. The Council of International Schools is a true international school network you can join that has member schools around the world.
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