Chasing any information about Nanning, and the likelihood of meeting other expats in the area. I'm moving there to teach English (common adventure) in February of this year, for a year. From many accounts that I've read it appears that foreigners can go days without hearing English. I know a few basic phrases in Mandarin, but certainly not enough to have a conversation (it's going to be all very one sided for a while I'm afraid).
Any advice, tips etc would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance 😊
Reply to this Thanks 😊 You've been super helpful w/ this and my original Vietnam plans 😊
Reply to this Hey,
I wouldn't worry about going days without hearing English. I recently spent a year teaching in north China and although I was virtually the only foreign person in the city, it was amazing how often you found locals who could hold a conversation.
Nanning is also the main overland route in to Vietnam, so it always has a good number of travellers passing through.
Reply to this Hi!
Cheers for the reassurance, I appreciate it! How did you go learning the language (assuming you didn't know it already). I am hoping to trade English for Mandarin lessons so I can actually get a grasp of the language.
Reply to this Hey,
The only words i knew when i arrived were 'hello' and 'thank you'!
I was able to practice with the local teachers at my school. As i only had classes in the evening during the week, i would get to school early and then practice Chinese for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Are you teaching at a private or public school?
I also traded lessons as well with some of the parents of my students........but i'd get lazy and only end up talking in English!
I'm actually pretty disappointed with my level of Chinese considering i've been here a year. I know all the basics and can live without English, but i didn't push myself to get to the next level!
Reply to this 😊
Well I can say a little bit more than that, but I figure I'm probably not saying it correctly. This tones business has me worried! Yeah I'm definitely going to be pushing myself, I'm not coming home until I can hold some semblance of a conversation dammit! I'm teaching at a private school run by westerners, so I'm not sure how many opportunities I will have there. I will be looking for outlets to learn everywhere I go.
Where abouts are you? Are you teaching in a private or public school? Where's home? Feel free to add anything else haha.
Cheers 😉
Reply to this Haha.....you'll be able to hold a conversation in no time! I wouldn't worry about the tones. It took me a long time to say them with any degree of accuracy. Even if you do say it wrong, nine times out of ten people will understand what you are saying from the situation you're in.
I think it's good you are teaching at a school run by Westerners. I was teaching at a locally owned private school and it was ridiculous how everything revolved around making as much money as possible.
I was teaching in Liaoning Province in a small city near Shenyang. The winters were freezing there so i'm happy to be travelling now and moving further south. I'm currently in Yangshuo, which is only 5 hours from Nanning. You should definitely check this place out......the scenery is amazing. After this i will head to Hong Kong and then actually pass through Nanning to get my Vietnam Visa before heading there.
When do you come to China?
Reply to this Ok, thanks - that's reassuring. I have a phrase book so I'll hopefully be ok with the pointing and charades to begin with.
I'm hoping there isn't to much of an emphasis placed on making money. I think its mostly about teaching, and teaching well. Here's hoping anyway!
The climate is one of the reasons I chose Nanning, it's suppose to be pretty nice year round. Have you been teaching the whole time? Is that what you're doing in Yangshuo? I am keen to do a lot of travelling once I've established myself a little bit.
I'll be in China next weekend - woo!
Reply to this Less than a week to go......you must be getting excited now!
Yeah i always resort to charades if i can't make myself understood.....it works a treat. I was teaching the whole time but since the start of January i've spent the last 5 weeks travelling around China. So i'm able to take it easy in Yangshuo and not worry about teaching at all. I'm off to Hong Kong tomorrow and then travel through Nanning at the start of next week to get my Vietnam visa. Hopefully it won't take long to get.
I hope the trip over here goes well.
Reply to this I had my going away party the weekend just gone, so yeah I'm starting to get excited now!
I don't know how to send private messages on here, but we could catch up for the Chinese equivalent of a coffee over there. I won't be even close to being settled yet though!
Safe travels 😊
Reply to this I've just sent you a private message now.
They do have coffee over here.............although i think a Starbucks or the equivalent is a wish too far!
Reply to this Hi Michala,
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Reply to this Please blog about your experiences so we can follow along on your year. Many of us will be interested.
Let us know how your language skills are progressing?
Have fun teaching.
MJ
Reply to this I have a blog, and I will be updating it fairly regularly. It's my own way of tracking my experiences this year, and hopefully helping out others that are making a similar trip!
Learning Mandarin is a pretty high priority for me, I'll be sure to update - even if just for you!
Thanks MJ :D
Reply to this 
