Would you read this book?, Seeking advice on a new book

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of writing a book about my experience of living and teaching in China. It would serve as a guide for anyone interested in doing the same thing, as well as a personal and humorous insight into the world's most important emerging power. My question for you is simple: Would you read such a book? If the answer is "yes", then what would you expect/ like to see included in the book?

Thanks for your time, I will appreciate any suggestions you might have.

Matt

Heh, what are the chances...

I have plans of going to China for a year in 2014 as an assistant english teacher. Which city did you teach in and during which time period? China is large so the regional differences are great. I've worked in Beijing for a short while and will probably go there again even though I have friends in Shanghai as well.

As for your question - I am definitely interested but tell us some more about your teaching and what/how you intend to write, please

:DHi, Matt

I'd been awfully into a decent response when I got a call and somehow lost my effort in between but lemme see if I can distill my original, then.

Books like yours dip into an inherent pool in a culturally curious, reaching beyond the intended audience, so if you stay true to that in adherence with your title, it oughta do well. Adding humor is a serious boost.

Welcome, have you made way to the introduce-yourself thread?

Oh, *I'm one of the culturalcurious, so, sure, if it promised anything relative to that somehow, add the element of humor and I'm sold. How you'd strike a balance between a cultural everyday and your guide might feel like the occasional tightrope but surely could be done.

I taught for two years (2010 - 2011), starting in a small city close to Shanghai, and then moving north to teach in Tianjin, a huge city just outside of Beijing. Both times I taught oral and written English to university students in classes ranging from 20 to 70 people.

I was thinking of dividing the book into about 10 short chapters, and dedicating each one to a particular piece of advice. I would use personal anecdotes to support each tip, some of which will be taken from the blog I kept throughout my time there. For a taste of my experience and writing style, you can find my blog here:

www.travelpod.com/members/mattchambers

I have already done some research into the things people most want to know before going to China, but I would certainly welcome any other suggestions, preferably outside the domain of visas/ work permits etc. Thanks again!

Class sizes seventy-strong would be considered horrendous here, let alone abroad, how'd all that go?

When I'd recently messed around in the moderator mode, it occasionally locks me into a place I can't edit a message I just left so here's another, MChambers...

I took a gander at just a little of the material in your blog, tell me, is this the tone you'll be setting in your book?lol Just kidding, but tell me , do you intend to go back often and if you do, do you mean to keep moving around?--Ah, it is a big place.

Funny writer with a bite, it's encouraging and now I've outed you, surely the other members will all be converging on your work from here...

Ohh, suddenly now I can edit~ whatever.

@matty: hmm, 70 students isn't bad at all for university. could have been a lot more (like a few hundred which would have probably been bothersome).

@mchambers: saved your blog link and will read through it

I'd read such a book if it drew me in. As such, it would have to be well written, examine personalities and local cultures, and show insight to problems peculiar to China. This would include government, dissidence, the new bourgeoisie, Tibet, and so forth. If, on the other hand, the book only includes your daily immediate experiences, I don't think I'd be all that interested.

Good luck with it.

Best, Josh.