"My placement at Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School - Wuhan was definitely the highlight of my educational experience thus far in my career. It provided a new and challenging opportunity that allowed my professional development to grow far beyond what I had ever encountered before. Never in my life did I believe that I would have the opportunity to work with such an amazing and diverse group of students in an educational setting that challenged me to adapt not only my teaching style, but my interactions with, understanding of, and compassion for my students.

Teaching at Maple Leaf has opened up a world of possibilities I never thought possible with regards to international travel, diverse educational settings, and the drive to learn and do more with my Education degree. Through my participation in this program I have been introduced to a multitude of teaching styles, learning types, and diverse cultural settings that have allowed me to not only become a better educator but a better student as well. This experience has taught me that with all the knowledge I have to teach, I also have so much more to learn.”

Jenna Kirker completed an international placement teaching multiple subjects in a Grade 7-9 class at Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School-Wuhan in May 2015.

“I was fortunate to be placed in a Grade 2 classroom at Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School - Dalian. Initially, the experience was daunting: I knew that I didn’t know what to expect. Teaching in China turned out to be just that - unexpected and adventure-filled. As I commuted each morning to the school, I was intrigued by the people around me and their way of life. When I arrived at school, the students were bright and eager to learn, and they had so much to teach me about their own cultures. Their work ethic was inspiring and so was each of their lives.  When I taught an art lesson to the students in my class, their talent and passion blew me away. The results were beautiful!

The school communities at Maple Leaf are fantastic. With many of the teachers being Canadian, they are happy to lend a hand or a hint here and there, and as a result, the teamwork is incredible. Sharing experiences, ideas, and resources is common, and it is evident that a constructivist mentality is at the base.

Living in China really pushed me further in terms of my philosophy and attitudes towards everyday life. Each difficulty or “con” that I came across, like a traffic jam, I was forced to turn into an experience. Turning the “cons” into “pros” is crucial while travelling, and I believe this enabled me to strive to be both a better person and a better teacher.  With an open mind and accepting attitude, new faces turned into friends, new tastes turned into cravings, and a new culture fostered a deepened understanding of a society. I would recommend this to any future teacher who is willing to take on an invaluable adventure. There is a world to learn about, and China is a great start!

This experience really eased my transition into the international teaching environment and the Chinese culture. After learning so much through this experience, I was ready to come back and explore some more.”

Anna Lisa Martin completed an international placement teaching a Grade 2 class at Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School-Dalian in May 2015. Following her placement experience, she signed a two-year contract to teach at the school, starting September 2015.

"I actually found my way into the information session about teaching placements in China by accident, and I am very thankful I was there! When people tell you something is going to be “an experience of a lifetime” it doesn’t always have much of an effect because it’s a saying that has been used often. But going to China and completing a teaching placement there was, honestly, an experience of a lifetime. The food was delicious and the scenery was breathtaking. Actually seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors and being on the Great Wall of China was a surreal experience.

Teaching at Dalian Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School was completely different than what I could have experienced during a placement in Canada. The students at the international school came from all around the world: in my class alone I had students from Hong Kong, Italy, South Korea, Japan, France, Mexico, Germany, Russia, and Brazil! They each brought their own knowledge and culture in the classroom, and shared it with their peers.

International teaching allows you to encounter many different learners with different cultural expectations, which adds another dimension to how you mold yourself as a teacher. Despite these differences, I realized the students were all eager to learn something. I also learned how to be flexible with my teaching and how to better communicate with ELL students. These are skills I take with me to all my teaching opportunities.

This teaching experience taught me how strong and independent I can be. Going half-way around the globe to a country I was unfamiliar with, with newly found friends was intimidating at first. I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone! I would recommend this experience of other Faculty of Education students because it truly is AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME."

Robyne Rodriguez completed an international placement teaching a Grade 3 class at Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School-Dalian in May 2016. 

“If you have a love of travel, adventure, new experiences, and a passion for teaching, then this is the opportunity you have been waiting for! My experience teaching at the Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School (MLFNS) in Dalian, China, was an incredible experience, and one that I would recommend to anyone who is feeling adventurous.

The teachers at MLFNS were so welcoming and really made me feel at home right from the beginning of my placement. It was an incredible experience to travel so far, but to feel so welcomed, comfortable, and at home in such a short amount of time. 

Working in a classroom with ELL students helped me to develop strategies of communication that I hadn’t used before: a great skill in any classroom! The students were patient and kind as I attempted to restructure lessons (sometimes in the middle of teaching them) to better suit their learning needs. I feel more confident in the classroom now after having to meet these challenges, and believe that I am a better teacher for it.

While the teachers, school, and students were all such a positive and rewarding part of this experience, having the opportunity to travel through China and experience the culture was also life-changing. While in China I had the chance to travel from North to South, going from Inner Mongolia all the way to Hong Kong, and East to (almost) West going from Dandong to Zhangjiajie. I have been to many countries, but China was by far the most fascinating one I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to take part in this experience, and would do it all again in a heartbeat. There are so many teachers there that went for a one-year contract, fell in love with the job, and decided to stay on for many more years. The community of teachers and administrators in Dalian are all so helpful and eager to make your transition into China living easy, fun, and entertaining!”

Aislinn Harrison completed an international placement teaching a Grade 2 class at Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School-Dalian in March/April 2017.

"I had a plan, but things change…

So here’s the plan: complete my final placement, go to China for an amazing adventure, come back for my Masters, and possibly start my teaching career in China when I am finished my education. This was a solid plan and I had everything in order for the following year. I thought I had it all figured out, but after a crazy few weeks that flew right by, I decided it was okay for my plans to change.

Teaching in China was an amazing experience. I’ve always wanted to teach internationally and I thought that this placement would be a great test trial to the real thing. This was 100% true! It’s hard to fully prepare for teaching internationally until you’ve experience it yourself. Keeping an open mind and being flexible to change will maximize your experience.

During my placement I tried to be as involved in the school community as I could. I assisted my associate teacher’s in a volleyball and soccer practice, and attended the International Student Prom and Dance Showcase. Outside of school I attended evening dinners and gathering with other teachers, which made me feel like part of the community.

The connection I made with the students and staff at Maple Leaf made me decide to change my plans and go back to teach for the following year. The best advice I could give any student thinking of doing a placement overseas is to keep an open mind and embrace the experience!" 

Ashley English completed an international placement teaching Physical Education courses on the Girls' campus at Maple Leaf International School-Dalian in May 2016. Following her placement experience, she signed a contract to teach at the school, starting in the summer of 2016.

 Having lived in the United Arab Emirates for 16 years before I immigrated to Canada in 2006, I have always had a vested interest in living and working abroad. Over the past years the numbers of domestic positions for educators has closed up and it has become imperative for many of us to consider international teaching opportunities.

Teaching Biology and Chemistry to Grade 11 students on the Boys Campus at Maple Leaf International School – Dalian was an invaluable experience. It was my first time teaching same-gendered classes with students who are English language learners. This made my lesson preparations significantly different from the domestic teaching placements I completed. There are many cultural differences to adjust to when teaching abroad. I found that the best way to learn more about the educational system was by engaging in conversation with the Chinese staff—which I often did over lunch in the cafeteria. The staff would brief me about the backgrounds of students over trays filled with steaming rice, fried eggplant in gravy, and tofu skins.

I must emphasize the respectful and polite attitudes of all students in my classes. These boys are exceptionally talented in their own unique ways, and they demonstrate an excellent work ethic.

Not only did I get an amazing opportunity from Lakehead to teach in a different educational system, but also an opportunity to travel as well. My friends and I spent a week in Beijing – seeing many of the tourist attractions including but not limited to the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the Summer Palace. We also took a two-day trip to Xi’an where we visited the Tomb of Jingdi and the Terracotta Warriors. Teaching internationally was not an option I had considered too seriously prior to this placement, but after going to China and hearing the many opinions of all the amazing people I worked with, I understood the benefits of choosing to work abroad.”

Anthea D’Souza completed an international placement teaching Grade 11 Biology and Chemistry classes (Boys Campus) at Maple Leaf International School-Dalian in May 2014. Anthea returned to China as a full-time teacher, effective September 2015.

“During my placement at Maple Leaf International School-Wuhan, I learned that I really enjoy teaching in an international school. This placement was an opportunity to be mentored by a teacher who knew what she was doing in regards to teaching internationally. I learned exactly what to expect before I started teaching at the school full-time myself.

My participation in the placement led to me receiving a teaching position in the same school, starting the following semester. Not a lot of teachers can say that they graduated from teacher’s college and immediately landed a job! The international placement also helped me in my decision because I had the opportunity to meet the staff and principal, see how the school is run, and teach there myself before accepting the position. This gave me the experience I needed to feel confident teaching - and living - in China.

The highlight of teaching at Maple Leaf is the students, who are respectful, attentive, and truly caring. There is an innate respect for teachers built into the Chinese culture: I was pleasantly surprised when all of the students tried their best on every single piece of work I gave them! Forming a bond with students is very important to me as a teacher, and I had no trouble at all doing that at Maple Leaf.   

The highlight of travelling in China was seeing the Great Wall of China. I have never seen something so awesome in my life (and I mean to use awesome in its proper context - which means to inspire awe). I would recommend this experience to other Faculty of Education students who are interested in teaching abroad. I’m sure that any Faculty of Education student who is given this opportunity will also love their experience, like me.”

Jeff Duncan completed an international placement teaching Grade 10 English classes at Maple Leaf International School-Wuhan in May 2015. He signed a three-year contract to teach at the school, starting September 2015.

“Teaching abroad is something I always dreamed about doing. For years, my post-university plan was to teach English classes somewhere in Europe. I never imagined myself teaching in Asia, but now I am so thankful that Lakehead’s Faculty of Education and Maple Leaf schools gave me an opportunity to do so!

Before I went to China, teaching abroad seemed scary. When I was considering teaching in other countries there were so many factors to consider, like: Where would I go? What would happen if I couldn’t speak the language? How would I set up my bank account? And so on. I can honestly say that it is thanks to the international placement opportunity that I gained the confidence and reassurance that teaching abroad really is doable, and finding the right school is possible.

Teaching at Maple Leaf International School-Dalian allowed me to experience first-hand the benefits and challenges of teaching internationally. I was able to meet so many teachers there, some who had just recently moved to China and others who were seasoned travellers with 5+ countries under their belt. Their stories and experiences were great to hear and helped me decide that China was the right choice for me.

I am extremely happy with my decision to return to the Maple Leaf campus where I completed my placement to begin my career as a teacher. I was able to return to China with much more confidence and preparation than I ever would have had. If you are considering teaching abroad, I cannot stress how strongly I recommend that you apply for this opportunity. At one time I thought that China wasn’t for me… and now in my passport I hold a work visa that allows me to call China my current home!”

Alyssa Jodoin completed an international placement teaching Grade 11 and Grade 12 English classes at Maple Leaf International School-Dalian in May 2015. Following her placement experience, she signed a two-year contract to teach at the school.

Teaching in China was an experience of a lifetime. Over the course of nearly five weeks, we saw some of the most outstanding places in the world, traveling and learning a great deal about China’s vast culture and history in the process. Teaching at Maple Leaf International School—Dalian was a wonderful experience because of the staff and students. Everyone was so accommodating, helpful, friendly, and inviting. International teaching is amazing because every day is an adventure!

During my time at the school I quickly learned that the students were not only learning English, but also learning an entire curriculum at the same time. This meant I needed to break concepts down using a variety of methods and materials, to enhance lessons using creativity in the classroom, and to teach to students who are working at different levels of English comprehension. I worked with many students in the Student Success Centre in China who required extra assistance with courses such as English and Social Sciences. It was truly rewarding.

I also noticed how important extracurricular activities and clubs are to students. The International Film Festival was one club that I was involved with. Students were able to showcase their talents and create documentaries. The Girls’ Soccer Team was another club that I took part in. The girls played their first game as a team since their club began, and showed sportsmanship and support to each other even as they lost their first game.

I plan on teaching and traveling abroad in the future, and this placement showed me that you have to be adaptable to change and embrace each moment of your teaching experiences. Teaching abroad brings many challenges, such as differences in cuisine, culture, and even the environment; however, having a positive attitude and a sense of humour will go a long way and will enable you to be successful in this adventure.”

Olivia Cleaver assisted students in the Student Success Centre, and helped with various extracurricular activities, at Maple Leaf International School-Dalian in May 2014.

“My experience teaching at Maple Leaf International School-Dalian was nothing short of amazing and inspirational. I learned so much during my time there, and grew as a teacher and an individual. Working with students from a different part of the world, within a different culture, and speaking a different first language than I do, was a great learning opportunity. I’ve always wanted to teach overseas - to be able to have this chance right out of school was ideal for me.

One thing that stood out to me while teaching in China was that because the students are English language learners, they require information to be broken down even more than you think, and they require detailed steps for many activities. It was difficult for the first days, but having my associate teacher by my side really helped. Soon after, I was teaching great lessons and having a lot of fun with the students. By the end of the placement, it was so rewarding to see the impact I had had on the students in only three short weeks.

International teaching was one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences I have had in my life. It allowed me to challenge myself, go beyond my comfort zone, and try new techniques for teaching. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone who is passionate about teaching, and who would like to learn more about themselves and develop new ideas and techniques, while immersing themselves in a new culture and environment. The different strategies you pick up from teaching internationally in an English as a Second Language (ESL) context are so valuable, and they can be used in any classroom in the world.”

Lauren Kopanski completed an international placement teaching Grade 10 Social Studies and Grade 12 English classes (Girls Campus) at Maple Leaf International School-Dalian in May 2014. Lauren began teaching internationally in England in September 2014.