On Monday, Sept. 30, at the Porter College of Education, Eastern Michigan University professor Karen Paciorek gave an informational session for EMU students who may be interested in teaching in China.
EMU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with companies in different countries to assist them in recruiting EMU students and graduates to teach in their countries. One of these companies is Weiming Education Group, which has schools in eight different cities that students may be placed in.
“EMU teachers are greeted warmly,” said Paciorek, a professor of the College of Education.
She also informed students of the wonderful cultural experience they would have and as well as how it would benefit them in their profession.
“International teaching credit will be right on your transcript,” Paciorek said.
Students are also not required to speak any Chinese in order to go, as they will be teaching their classes in English. If interested, EMU does offer multiple different Chinese classes that students could take this coming winter semester in order to prepare them.
“I have always wanted to do international teaching,” EMU senior Steven McClary said. “I’ve always loved Asian culture.” McClary majors in secondary education of integrated science and hopes to student teach in the winter.
Paciorek told students that those who teach in China are provided with a fully furnished apartment that they will share with another EMU student. They will be paid, receive other benefits such as travel costs and, as Paciorek mentioned, “the food is fabulous.”
In order to go, students must have completed at least one U.S. based student teaching placement prior to leaving for China.
Students are able to teach fall semester, spring semester (middle of March) or teach for a full year if they are certified teachers. The cost of going on the trip is approximately $2,200, but the benefits of the trip total approximately $7,000.
Students will be teaching classes in grades K-12, and most middle-level students will speak English well enough to understand.
Students are also assigned teaching mentors who speak both English and Chinese to help them.
Student teachers who go on this trip will have to adjust to some cultural differences, Paciorek said, such as a 12-hour time difference, living styles, clothing and shoe sizes and some Internet restrictions.
“I am a little hesitant about some exotic foods, like roasted spiders,” McClary said. “I want to become more of a citizen of the world. If they are going to pay me to do that then who am I to say no?”
For more information, visit emich.edu/coe/teachinchina or go to emich.abroadoffice.net/china.html. Additional information may also be available from Paciorek, who can be reached at kpaciorek@emich.edu.
