Hello:

My name is Gwen Robinson and I live in Tongxiang. My husband and I have been here for over a year now. My husband is a General Manager of a local company and I work as a volunteer in a local school, and if you wish to write to me please contact me at gwenrobin@hotmail.com.

My husband and I enjoy living here but we are in our sixties and are free to travel to Shanghai or Hangzhou most weekends where we can make contact with other expats, shop for Western items and move around without attracting attention.

Things to consider:

I am the only western woman in a town of 650000. It takes a great deal of adjustment to get used to being stared at on a daily basis. It could be very hard for an eleven year old particularly if it is a first time overseas living experience, unless it is for a relatively short period of time.

There are International schools in Shanghai which is two hours away to the North.

The Chinese people are very friendly and helpful and English is taught in schools but even the teachers are reluctant to speak in English as they are always concerned about making a mistake.

The style of teaching is also very different. Everything is taught by rote and taught straight from a text book. The Chinese children I work with are 17 to 19 years old and there are 50-60 students per classroom. They are very attentive and polite. In terms of social development they are more like North American 13 year olds. I can only speak for my school but school starts a little after 7 am and continues until 4pm. Each class is 40 minutes long with 20 minute breaks and two hours for lunch. Most teachers teach two classes a day and the rest of the day is spent in preparation and counselling the students.

It is a tremendous culture shock, but there are many good things we can learn from the Chinese way. If you want to experience a real taste of Chinese culture, this is a good place to do it.

There is a Women's Federation of Tongxiang here run by a delightful group of ladies who have befriended me and offered me any help with women's problems should I need it We talk through an interepreter.

Maybe a combination of home teaching and local schooling would work for you.

Please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to answer your questions. Your daughter is welcome to write if she has questions.


Good luck

Gwen Robinson

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Gwen's reply hits the nail on the head! She particularly draws attention to the very different teaching and learning styles of the Chinese. We educated our son the typical British way by leaving him at home in a boarding school (the same one as Roal Dahl!). As Gwen says, better to take advantage of international schools, if possible. My wife taught adults on behalf of the British Council; and, as part of my business commitments, Iectured at various Higher Education Instutions, including one where I was made Visiting Professor. I don't think we would recommend their teaching/learning styles. Degree exams by multiple-choice beggars belief!

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