China or Bust! A new bi-lingual book in English/Chinese.
Available in all Xinhua Bookshops.
If you are in China, going to China, thinking about going to China, interesting in going to China or just someone who loves a good read, you need my new book. If you are a recruiter for ESL teachers to come to China then you need to recommend this book to your clients. Just published in bi-lingual form, Chinese/English, by Xiamen University Press, China or Bust is for you. Anyone who has been an ESL teacher will understand the challenges faced, but when you add moving to a country like China, so different, so diverse, and so exciting, it brings a completely new dimension to the experience, especially if you were like me and couldn’t speak any Chinese. Not only do I tell you about the good bad and the ugly, and the hilarious of teaching, I give you all the information you will need when you go to China for the first time. How to use the buses and trains when you can’t read or speak Chinese, how to find a job, visa advice, how to decide where to go, shopping, money, accommodation, doctors and hospitals, and personal safety to mention a few topics. China or Bust is available online through – http://www.dandong.com/ www.amazon.com, www. jingdong.com. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Reading should be fun, and for ESL students, reading English stories should be fun as well as educational. Print these stories and poems by right clicking on the page and choosing print.
Primarily I have established this site and written these stories for anyone whose second language is English. (ESL) While living and teaching in China I soon realised that Chinese students rarely read just for the fun of it. Their lives are chained to school, textbooks and learning material. I also found it nearly impossible to get short stories that older and adult students could read in just a few minutes that were not related to ‘lessons’.
However, being practical, I have added comprehension questions at the end of each story for two reasons. Firstly, teachers may download these stories and use them in the classroom as a complete ESL lesson plan. And more importantly, the parents of Chinese students, who insist their children must be studying at all times, will view the questions with approval believing their child is doing something constructive.
Lana Kerr holds the copyright for all content on this site. Permission is granted for visitors to read online, or to download these stories and use for personal reading or in the classroom.
Of course, you don’t have to be Chinese to use this site. Everyone will find something to enjoy, to transport you for a few minutes from your day-to-day routine into a little world of make believe, make you laugh or cry, or just make your day a little happier.
The ability to read is a gift. The ability to understand educates us. The capacity to read for pleasure touches our hearts and adds meaning to our lives.
I hope my stories amuse and entertain you, and especially touch your heart.
Enjoy! Lana Kerr. (Ke Lan. 柯兰)
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Hi 柯兰, no I don’t read Chinese and I only speak very little. I am interested in your book, not because I am thinking of teaching in China, but because I too enjoy China, and believe it or not Chinese people. I tutor Chinese students here in Canada and find most of them very willing to work. I’m over 50 so sadly that makes me unemployable in China. I have been over there many times, I have friends in Shanghai and except for the air quality, could live there or in the surrounding area.
I think your book about your experiences in China would make interesting reading, and plan to pick up a copy.
I wish you good luck in your future endeavors.
Brian (or 白狼 as my Chinese students call me)
Hi Brian,
So nice to hear from you. Not only did I teach in Fujian province but also spent 18 months teaching in Suzhou. I loved the place, its very special. I also am too old to go back and teach now, but you arent, you can get work up to 60 years of age. Thanks for the note. Lana.
Miss K，
Its a great blog．I always remember the time when u were teaching in suzhou.we all had a good time with u and we like u very much,do u know after u left us ,many things happened and the school changed a new english teacher for us,but most of students cant get use to her accent ,but anyway we need to move on with our study. r u working now? or u 100% retire now? James went to vietman for teaching.u r so good at teaching and so brilliant,u should try to teach again if u really want..dont give up because of ur age.im working in guangzhou city now.
love
abby
Yes Abby we had some great times at STFI didn’t we. Nice memories. Van is in Australia, I met him in Sydney, and now he is in Adelaide studying to be a nurse and on a trip to New Zealand, I met Rebecca Chen, she is still there. Maybe one day I can come back for a visit. Miss K
Hi, I have just chatted with Lana and it was facinating too. I am an engineer and I hold an expert certificate that allows me to stay till 65. I am not sure what is the difference with teaching permits. In fact, i think China is missing out lots of good people, older people filled with life long experience. I was also told that one can get 3 months business visa to china if that is of any help.
cheers
hey,how are you?
I’m fine that’s Adrian. How are things with you? I am back in Australia now.
i’m doing good in longyan college.it’s good to hear you are good in Australia .sorry to replay this comment so late,but i was happy to meet you and talk to you that night.awesome!!haah……and my email is adrianhuang@126.com.facebook is Adrian Huang Yi. i hope we can keep in touch.thank you!!柯兰。hope everything goes well to you!!!
hey there and thank you for your information – I’ve certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Ensure that you update this again very soon.
My blog post: Nelson
Thanks Nelson, I will check this out. Lana.
Hi Lana, I bought your book from a bookstore in Shanghai today, and couldn’t stop reading it. Can feel your optimistic attitude toward life from words which make me laugh a lot. Also, it gives me a new look from a new perspective to my own country. Nice book!
Hi Rachel,
Thanks so much for your note. I am glad you are enjoying my book. You know, when I first came to live in China there was little information about how to cope with daily life when everything was so different. But the place does get in your blood, there is something very special about China. Thanks for your note.
Lana.
Hi Lana
I am 60 years old, originally from New Zealand and Australia and call myself an Aussie/Kiwi. I started teaching in China in February this year, actually Inner Mongolia.
I made the decision that when I reached 60 years of age I would do something very different with my life (a bit of a challenge for my Children to accept, but of course now they see how much I love it and realise what a fantastic opportunity I am having).
I previously worked in Banking & Insurance for many years, but was lucky to have a degree in English and a BBA in Training & Development. This helped me find teaching work in China (I should have done this many years ago as I love it).
I had many people tell me at the time that I would not be able to work in China and that I was to old, but did not have any trouble finding a teaching position.
I would suggest to Brian Shelton that he gives it a go as they are always looking for good, passionate teachers here in China, if you would like to pass on my email to Brian he can contact me and I can put him on to the people that found me a teaching position, I work with two Canadian teachers one who is 57 and he has been here now for four years, the other is 63 and he has been teaching here for 6 years and is married to a very lovely Chinese lady.
China is a beautiful country and the people are fantastic, the students are so willing to learn, and what an interesting country to live in. I have felt safer here than anywhere I have lived.
I am currently learning Mandarin myself (being taught by one of my top students).
I have found your website so useful Lana, and I thank you for the lovely short stories that some of my students have read and loved, their favourite one is “His First Swim”, not many of them guessed it was about elephants.
Thank you once again for a great website/Blog.
Darryl
Hi Darryl,
I was delighted to get your comment, and I agree with everything you say. I made a trip to Inner Mongolia, staying in Hohhot and doing a three day trip to the grasslands and desert. One of the best parts was the fabulous clear skies that you don’t get in China itself. But how do you deal with the cold? Boy it would be cold in winter!!!
I will certainly hand on your message to Brian so he may contact you. I know if you are in a job and the school is happy with you, it is possible to say on til you are 65 but after that, usually it is the end of the road because you can’t get a visa. Perhaps this is different in your neck of the woods.
I agree with the safety factor, one of the safest places to live. I come back to China about once a year for a visit, the place does get into your blood.
I am so glad you like my stories. I am hopeful of having a second book published of my short stories as a text book for school readings. Xiamen University Press were keen when they first agreed to publish my first book. Will see how things go.
Thoroughly enjoyed your message, and I hope all goes well with you. I am on the Gold Coast, but kiwi born.
Lana.
Hi Darryl,
I am Chinese, and I am very glad that you like China.
I lived together with my English teacher who from Australia after graduated. He is 74 years old and very kind to all of us. For now,I decided to hope Foreign teachers find position here in China.If some things I can do for you just feel free to contact to me.
And thank for Lana’s blog, it is very good.I will by the book read carefully.
Pillar
hi Lana
I am a sophormore student in Hainan university,and I borrowed your book from our library a few weeks ago.It is a fantastic book and both I and my classmate love it.Have you been to Hunan province in china?If you are interested in,welcome to my hometown.
Thank again for your interesting stories!
Hi Larry,
How nice to get your note. Thanks for the comments. Yes I have been to Hainan. It is really nice there and the beaches are lovely. I stayed in Sanya. Iam so pleased your have read my book. Make sure to read the short stories on my website too….you will enjoy those. Lana.
Hello Ms. Kerr,
First I would like to thank you for your website. I am a new Oral English teacher in China. I recently graduated from college, and wanted to better understand if my path placed me at home or perhaps elsewhere. It sounds pretty conceited. I like to think this is a part of my self development. My reason for thanking you, is that such a decision was peculiar to my family and co-workers. I feel I seldom get the other point of view. I also do not know how I could stand opposite to so many people.
I came across your site, while looking for short stories as a vocabulary exercise for my students. Many of the sentiments resonated with me. There is something about being here has me missing it when I am away and feeling uncertain about leaving. The students do really make the classes enjoyable.
I am not sure if this site is still active as it has ben some time since the last post, but again “Thank you”.
Im happy to read your these stories and enjoy it . I hope that i can read many funny stories in future . These stories could improve my English skills and study much knowledges . thanks for your help.