Teaching in China with ABIE English: Q&A with Teacher Joshua

Joshua is an English teacher at ABIE English in Nanjing, China. He shares more about his experiences living in China, what it’s like teaching for ABIE, and what he likes to do in his free time.

1. Where are you from and which university did you graduate from?

I am from The USA, Sarasota, FL. I graduated from Argosy University in 2010. I studied Business Administration. I also studied Film Directing.

2. Why did you decide to move to China?

I’ve been studying China’s rapid growth and it’s ancient culture for many years. I had fantasized about visiting for some time. I saw an opportunity to teach and I decided it was the right time to explore the society as an educator.

3. How long have you lived in China now?

I’ve been living in Nanjing since January 2019. I’ve made many friends and enjoy many weekly activities. I do Toastmasters, which is a public speaking group and also perform a weekly comedy routine at a local club.

Learn more about getting involved with expat life in China: 6 Ways To Meet People While Living In China

4. What city do you live in? What do you enjoy about living there?

Nanjing is a great mixture between a traditional Chinese city and a modern metropolis, mixed with the influence of foreigners. I like the cuisine, the nightlife, and the many friendly people that can be found around the city.

5. Tell us about your ABIE school center

My ABIE Center is in the Gulou area. It’s in a mall. It’s a bustling part of town filled with many restaurants, markets, and specialty shops. I’m still exploring it in my down time.

There are about 7 foreign teachers. About 12 local teachers. We are growing and adding new people. It’s a very exciting time of expansion for us. Expectations are high. I have 4 regular classes rotating through the week. Each class consists of 12 students. I have access to a touchscreen, my own classroom, a robust selection of office and classroom supplies, and the expertise of many local teachers.

6. What are some of your favorite things about being an ABIE teacher?

I love the opportunities to be creative as a teacher. Many English training centers treat their foreign teachers like performers who must read from a script and follow a strict choreography. ABIE gives its teachers the latitude to construct their lessons their way. With ABIE we are more accountable directly to parents. That allows us to have a better understanding of the individual needs of our students.

7. Any memorable moments teaching your students?

It’s always memorable the moment I see the students are connecting with me and approach my lessons with excitement. I love when I see my lessons begin to click with the student’s minds - when they understand the vocabulary you are teaching them and connecting those lessons to broader concepts.

8. What surprised you the most about moving to China?

I was surprised by the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people. Everyone was very accommodating to my ways as a foreigner. They gave me the space to adapt to the culture shock. Everyone is very curious about my life and wants to know me and understand me and that’s very touching.

9. What do you like to do for fun when you’re not teaching?

I like to do public speaking, karaoke, stand up comedy, drawing, and playing music. I play the theremin, which is the only instrument that is played without touching it physically. I try to do as many open mics as possible with that instrument. I love the reaction that people get when they see it for the first time.

10. What are you looking forward to in the coming months? Any travel plans?

I’m looking forward to winter. I know it will be very cold but I find winter wardrobes to be so stylish. There’s something about the cold weather that really brings people together. I’m going to visit Harbin, because I wanna see the ice castles. I would also like to visit Laos and Vietnam.

Interested in teaching English with ABIE? Check out our available opportunities and apply today!

For more expat advice on living in China, check out The Ultimate Guide for Moving to China