HUAIROU, Beijing Province: Ahh Mondays... My first class (Class 12 - my least able group) went OK, but they were really hard to keep under control. I wanted to finish off my storytelling series of lessons with a game of Consequences, then get them to write a story... But it took 45 minutes to play just one game of Consequences!! Getting them to just pass the paper on was a nightmare... had to show every single student about three times which way to pass their ...

HUAIROU, Beijing Province: We had a bit of a lazy today, but it was nice to chill out for a bit. Had a long lie-in, and then we went for an early dinner at 'Woman Love' (local noodle place). We didn't have noodles, but we ate some yummy potatoes, aubergines, peppers, mange-tous and rice. We tried to order some tea, and the guy seemed to understand! But who knows where that went... Did some skyping in the evening, but half way through our power went. Not an un...

HUAIROU, Beijing Province: Half the Korean students' parents had come to China this weekend to visit, so there were only 4 kids in class today! I thought it was really harsh that while those who had parents around were allowed off class, those who were probably already feeling a bit left out had to be in school on a Saturday morning! Anyway, I made it in time for Efren's second lesson with them (he teaches periods 1 and 2, and I teach 3 and 4), and he'd given ...

HUAIROU & BEIJING CITY, Beijing Province: The students have exams today, so I didn't have to teach! It's crazy how you have to ask for everything here... No information is offered! I wouldn't've known about my day off if I hadn't asked about the alleged exam WEEKS we're having soon... apparently we don't have any, but ooo you have this Friday off. Still, not complaining - it's a free day! Went for a meeting this morning with Efren to discuss Korean clas...

HUAIROU, Beijing Province: Woop Woop! Pay Day!!!! My two lessons today went so much better than yesterday, thankfully!!! Most of the students understood what I wanted them to do, and although they were still a little bit crazy (a few more notes being past - one kid missed their mate & the note landed on the little tray under the board... what a numpty!) but otherwise it was good. Collected our pay this morning, then went to spend our 'birthday' vouchers in...