We will never be the same because of the COVID 19 epidemic. It’s changed how people conduct business, live, and even educate all around the world. In December 2020, the first reports of COVID 19 patients were made in Wuhan, China. Despite this, I still made the decision to teach English in China. Families and acquaintances often inquire about my experiences teaching English in China during the COVID epidemic. How did it go? As a result, I decided to write about my experiences as an English teacher in China during the COVID outbreak.
understanding the Teaching English in China during the COVID
Teaching English in China during the COVID epidemic is, on the whole, an ordinary experience. Only China has been able to stop the spread of the disease. When the epidemic hit, I moved to China from Canada and found myself attending school, interacting with and teaching my pupils in person for the first time.
Teaching in a COVID Pandemic: The Reality Check
We’ve returned to the routine at school. Class sessions go on as usual, and no one wears a mask unless they’re sick (no COVID symptoms). The school has had no COVID instances since I arrived in February 2021. There were around 30 kids in class for our first mock test, which was a success.
To avoid any problems, classrooms are regularly cleaned, windows are left open to let fresh air in, and all courses are now held in person rather than online.
Sports including basketball, football, and ping pong are available to students as well as physical education. Teachers are responsible for keeping an eye out for any signs of COVID and alerting the school administration if they are seen.
The COVID pandemic poses a health risk to anyone teaching English in China.
Generally speaking, China is a safe nation to teach English in despite the current COVID epidemic. A comeback is still a possibility, primarily due to imported cases of COVID-19, even though China has effectively controlled the epidemic inside its borders. Because of this, there are a variety of limitations on international travel today, as well as many preventive steps in China that you should be aware of.
During the COVID epidemic, here are some things to bear in mind as an English teacher in China.
Everyone on public transportation wears a mask during the COVID epidemic, although the social distance is not necessary. My preferred mode of public transportation is the subway, which is always clean, well-maintained, and on time for me to go about Guangzhou.
Most retail malls need a temperature check or a green health code in order to enter. To scan a QR code at the mall’s entry, you’ll need WeChat and WeChat Pay. When you need assistance, don’t hesitate to seek it out.
China’s government buildings and offices are open to the public, in contrast to Canada (and most other nations), which keep all workplaces secure. The only exception to this rule is going into government facilities, when your temperature will be taken and your phone scanned for a health code that reads “green”. Before entering the facility to obtain my residency permit, I had my temperature taken and scanned a QR code with my WeChat app to get a green health code.
Traveling inside China is still possible, although most institutions advise students to keep their trips within their regions to a minimum. The COVID epidemic still poses a threat in some regions. In addition, scanning a QR code will be needed to enter airports and railway stations.
– There are gyms and health and fitness centers open – This month, I joined BJJ, yoga, and the gym. Yoga, BJJ, and gym sessions do not need the use of masks.
All outdoor activities are available and free to the public, including those in parks and on city streets. Running is one of my favorite activities, and I particularly like it when I can do it in a public park without having to undergo a temperature check.
There is no lockdown, but you should avoid big groups if you can, or wear your mask if you must. Avoid crowded public areas whenever possible.
Many of my coworkers now gather for drinks or supper after work or on the weekends, as if nothing had happened. Guangzhou had a beer festival only two weeks ago.
If you’ve just arrived in China, contact the hotel ahead of time to double-check availability. Always check to see whether your hotel accepts international guests before booking, since this is something that very few hotels are able to do at the moment. Once upon a time, a hotel refused to let me remain after my quarantine was up since they found out I had just arrived from Canada. When I asked for assistance finding another hotel that welcomes foreigners regardless of whether they were new to China, the employees at the first one really assisted.
Finishing Up
A teacher’s life during the COVID epidemic in China has been described as “fluid.” However, nearly everywhere you look, things are returning to normal. I’d advise you to always do your homework and get the assistance of your school or organization if you need it.