Customer Reviews

Yes China! An English Teacher's Love-Hate Relationship with a Foreign Country

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've read this book and let me give a hearty recommendation for anyone who has arrived here..., get the book. Clark has a unique sense of humor and if you get pleasure from laughing, this book will make you feel good.

I suspect a lot of people who land here might be those who are interested in trying their hand at teaching in China, for you, this book and Clark's Teaching Guide are must buys. Clark's work will give you a useful and unbiased look at what you will be getting into. He doesn't pull punches and you're going to laugh a lot along the way.

I've never really wanted to travel to china, it's never been on my list of top 10 places I want to go before I die. This book changed that. I feel like I now have a much better understanding of a culture that vastly different from mine. I get to appreciate the comments about Mormon culture in Utah because that's where I grew up and feel like the author and i shared a lot of similar experiences.

The writing style of this book is much like sitting and listening to a good friend tell you a story. It's funny, happy, heart breaking and if public bathrooms bother you it's gut wrenching.

Just ordered another book by this author and I'm excited to get it.

Having taught English in China, I wish I had known everything in this book before I went. I had my own, very inaccurate ideas about China and when I came to live and work there, it was very stressful dealing with surprise after surprise. From tips for managing huge classrooms, to teaching lessons for every age level and type of educational setting, to living daily routines like shopping and being the only foreigner around, this hilarious book will prepare you for the experience like no other. It will help you make informed decisions about where to teach/work, what to expect when you do business with the Chinese, and even find fun things to do during your off hours. Even if you are not going to China to teach, you will learn a lot about the culture and what to expect when renewing your visa, finding a place to live, learning the language, and socializing. It is a quick, fun read, and an honest, clear view of what to expect. And when you are done, you will be able to navigate around China like a pro!

This was a really fun read. The author has a great writing style like he's just carrying on a conversation, and he really shows his personality through it all. As someone who taught Engligh in China as well, I think that Clark did a great job bringing out all the ugly/funny/wierd/awesome truths about so many aspects of such an experience. I would highly recommend this to someone that is planning on teaching English in China, but it is also a great read in general that has a lot of laugh out loud parts, while at the same time the author portrays some poignant self-realizations throughout the book.

I came across this book while looking for one that would educate me on the process of obtaining TEFL certification and finding a job teaching in China. I studied abroad at ECNU in Shanghai in Fall 2010 and have been trying to work there ever since. Let me say this is NOT a book for learning the process of how to teach English abroad. Anyone considering such an endeavorer might want to check out Nielsen's short eBook, A Quick Guide to Teaching English in China, which briefly discusses the different options for teaching, including qualifications, recruiters, visa options, and public schools versus training centers.

Now that the teaching disclaimer is out of the way, I must say I really enjoyed reading this book, for hours at a time. Nielsen jumps between his experience teaching English and the various cultural nuances, interesting difficulties and experiences through the eyes of a foreigner living in China. As someone who has lived in Shanghai and visited several other cities in northeastern China for four months, I can attest to the etiquette, traffic, food, service, local curiosity and most everything else the author expresses encountering in this exotic place.

I want to address what another reviewer here has mentioned about Nielsen's account being too personal and, at times, "embarrassing." In fact, it was THESE moments in the book where Nielsen was honest that I appreciated MOST. If you're looking for an impersonal, tourists' guide to China, stick with Lonely Planet. But if you want something that is informative, funny and relevant to your own experience, this book is probably more appropriate. In summary, regardless of your career interests, if you have any intellectual curiosity for what life is like for a foreigner in China, or really any interest in a very different culture, I would recommend this book.

A Review of

Yes China! An English Teacher's Love-Hate Relationship with a Foreign Country

By Clark Nielsen

A book about China, this should be fascinating and parts of it were, but it's also about Clark's experience, or should I say lack of experience, teaching English in China. I nearly gave up on Yes China after the first three chapters. They are all about his time in the classroom and I'm afraid to say they were repetitive and dull. Clark then went onto tell the reader about life in China and the book suddenly got interesting.

Unfortunately between every interesting chapter is another about Clark's life in the classroom. Okay I know the book's blurb clearly states "I was there to pretend like I knew how to teach," but you can have too much of a good thing and quite honestly every chapter about being in the teaching environment felt the same. The incidents might be different but as I progressed it just felt I'd read it all before. Now when Clark writes about his life in China and the people, then the interest level soars. From restrooms to food, travel to accommodation, Clark covers them all. He talks about the Chinese people and the huge cultural differences existing between them and the U.S. Towards the end of the book he even finds love, good reading as you will find out.

In the snippet from the blurb, above, you will also gather there is an attempt at humour. This went over my head, but that's me. Humour is subjective and I'm sure many people would find Clark's writing hilarious.

The author is brutally honest about his feelings starting with his resignation from the Mormon Church to his thoughts about some of the kids he tries to teach English too. At times I found him embarrassingly open, revealing too much of himself, but you've got to admire somebody prepared to wear their heart on their sleeve in front of the reading public.

So, I found Yes China a very mixed bag of tricks, some very good and others to be honest, boring. I suppose I was disappointed it was not more of a travelogue, which just goes to show I could not have read the book's blurb properly. Having said all that I did enjoy parts of the book and am glad I read it. If you are at all interested in travel or China I believe you should give it a try even though I've not given the book a very good review.

My rating 3 out of 5.

Yay! I am a winner in the GoodReads First-Reads giveaway! And I have received this great book. It will take me a while to get through due to the font (these old eyes!) but I am sure I will love it! Thanks!

Having looked at the book more carefully, I notice that the font is so light and small on a very white background. So I am going to pass this on to a friend and buy the Kindle version. Thanks again!

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I just finished reading Yes China! I read it on my Kindle and gave the won, actual paperback to my friends. They have done extensive traveling and both are teachers in their own right. What they are missing that my experience includes is three sons. The geekier of my sons happens to be a Clark, also. He is very into the video games and has been the IT division of the family. I could see him going through some of the same situations.

Add to my feelings of association, I felt myself directly relating. I have taught vacation bible school and Sunday School. I didn't like it. I felt lost and couldn't feel any control over the classes. When I went to teach at a non-Christian school to older beings, it was much easier. I was able to teach things I was interested in and the students seemed to let me. There were fewer control issues. So as Mr. Clock went through his own personal Hell, I could say, 'Yes-uh!' I know that feeling!

I meandered over to Mr. Nielsen's website after he made me go on the computer to look up: Jiuzhaigou (gorgeous!). I like seeing that the story continued. I think when my friends are done reading the paperback, I will pass it on to Clark.

Every time I crack open this book I get the overwhelming urge to travel again, or at the very least do something new. Because each chapter is a standalone essay, I leave this book out so I can randomly pick it up and read a section. If you have any interest in China, you'll enjoy this book. Especially if you are looking into teaching English. It is a very unique and insightful look at Chinese culture, and it's pretty dang funny to boot.

Clark is hilarious and honest! His book includes discussions about his English classes at most age levels, which are adventures of their own. He also interlaces chapters about his new surroundings and experiences out of the classroom. We get to listen in on his perceptions of China, the U.S., and maybe even himself.

This is a really fun read for anyone who is interested in China or breaking out of their comfort zone!