On August 24th, at nine o'clock A.M., the new teachers who will, this year, be working for Jiangsu Education Services for International Exchange (JESIE) gathered for their first exciting day of orientation. The new teachers were from different countries such as Canada, America, UK, and Australia. After a brief and thoughtful introduction from President Liu Hai Feng of Jiangsu College of International Education (JCIE), the teachers, instructed by current staff, delved into interesting training topics. These orientation topics were designed to help them in their upcoming exciting year in China, as well as in their professional careers! 

The week-long course included:

• General address to incoming foreign teachers 

• Effective use of ICT & multimedia 

• ESL skills and techniques

• Lesson planning 

• Using games and activities in the classroom 

• Classroom management 

• Chinese language lessons

• Chinese culture 

• Laws Applicable to Foreigners in China 

• Chinese cooking & food safety 

  
  

The workshop was run by a selection of veteran ESL teachers with previous experience of teaching primary and senior high school classes in China. The topics discussed amongst the group included critical questions such as, "How can you be an effective teacher?" and "how do you engage the current generation of children?" Such critical questions raised by the JESIE staff opened up rich demonstrations, discussions, games, and activities. 

Each foreign teacher was given the opportunity to plan and run an observed demonstration lesson, for which comprehensive feedback was given. They also had the opportunity to ask questions relating to the textbooks they will be using as well as more general questions during scheduled after-session appointments.

After their first orientation of effective lesson planning and student engagement, the class ended on a high note in which the new teachers tried to learn basic Chinese communication. Fun ensued when the new foreign teachers had an opportunity to try some oral practice of the Chinese language. 

Even though there was little time to spare, a birthday celebration was had for one of our trainees, which brought some fun to the proceedings! A cake was served along with some conversation and cultural exchange amongst peers. Needless to say, every bit of the cake was consumed.

At the end of an exciting, fun, and insightful orientation training, there was one last get together for the new teachers. A visit to the Nanjing Memorial Museum, and an end-of-course dinner which gave an opportunity for the trainees and current staff to talk to each other in an informal environment. The President of JCIE hosted a party on the roof of JCIE building. After a warm welcome from the President, delicious food and drinks were served, incorporating a blend of eastern and western cuisine. Activities and warm companionship were exchanged by the incoming teachers and JESIE staff, and excitement and enthusiasm was left in the hearts and minds of JESIE'S newly trained teachers.