New to teaching in Tianjin?

Every year, world-class teachers and their families from around the world relocate to Tianjin, specially to work with us. It’s one of the things that makes our school community so vibrant and special.

We also know what it’s like to face both the unique challenges and incredible opportunities that come with teaching overseas, having spent the last 40 years running international schools as part of LifePlus. We’ve taken all that experience and distilled it down into a shortlist of seven handy tips and best practices, all proven to help you thrive.

Here’s our essential advice on getting the most out of teaching at Tianjin International School, benefitting you and your students in equal measure…  

1. Build strong relationships 

Building relationships is at the heart of effective teaching. As one of our parents at our LifePlus school in Qingdao said, “What excites me about my son learning here is the fact that he’s known, loved and will be motivated to do his best and discover new interests every day.” Take the time to get to know your students, colleagues, and the broader school community. Establishing trust and rapport early on creates a supportive learning environment. Don’t hesitate to reach out to fellow teachers for advice and support—they’ve walked in your shoes and can offer invaluable insights. Remember, we’re stronger together. 

Yuri, our well-being counselor at a LifePlus international school in Wuhan, advises that “Building and investing in relationships is important for expatriates. It helps with reducing the isolation one can feel during your time in a different country… Investing time and effort in building relationships as an expat is not about simply socializing—it’s a decision that can profoundly impact your life, as well as offering greater satisfaction with the [overseas] lifestyle… We’re relational creatures, and we need relationships—it’s embedded in us all.” 

2. Stay flexible 

Flexibility is a vital trait for teachers, but especially for teaching in an international setting. “Working overseas, schedules were often changed by an event planning committee because of surprise visitors… or availability opened up for another event to interrupt the one we were working on, and we had to change plans at the last minute,” says Lee, a former technology teacher at Tianjin. “Or sometimes technology didn’t work, a firewall blocked a key website that day, and so on. Planning ahead for any derailment in the day and keeping a positive, flexible mindset are essential to thriving when teaching overseas.”  

Unexpected challenges will arise; plans might change. Approach these situations with a positive attitude and an open mind—being adaptable not only helps you manage stress, but also sets a great example for your students. You can show them that flexibility and resilience are valuable life skills. 

“Investing time and effort in building relationships as an expat is not about simply socializing—it’s a decision that can profoundly impact your life… We’re relational creatures, and we need relationships—it’s embedded in us all.”

3. Engage with the local community 

Your experience teaching abroad isn’t limited to the classroom. One of our staff, Chris shared, “In all the years that I have lived overseas, some of the most precious and dear friends that I’ve made over the years are people who are outside of the school environment. These are the people who I connect with when we visit different cities around China, just really dear relationships of people who know me beyond my professional role. They know my family as… friends, as people who they enjoy hanging out with, and we really enjoy spending time with them. These are the people who we celebrate Chinese New Year with; we learn culture from them.”  

Try to engage with the local community to enrich both your personal and professional life. Attend local events, learn the language, and immerse yourself in the culture. Building connections outside of school can provide support and a deeper understanding of your host country. We believe in the transformative power of community. 

4. Prioritize self-care 

Teaching is a demanding profession, and it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the new school year. Start slow! Take a few weeks to get a feel for your students and your workload before you commit to many extracurricular activities. “Self-care is always important, but when you're living internationally, your typical connections and routines are disrupted and may not be available to you,” Grace, a secondary art teacher, reminds us. “Make sure you give yourself grace as you navigate and settle into your new ‘normal’ and find the people and routines you enjoy to give you the balance and stability you need.”  

Additionally, set aside time for activities that recharge you, whether it’s reading, exercising, or exploring your new surroundings. We can only offer energy that has been restored from proper rest times. 

5. Embrace cultural diversity 

Remember that teaching internationally means you’ll encounter a rich and beautiful variety of cultures and backgrounds. One of our former students says, “I was lucky to have friends from many different nationalities… Being able to understand what other people think helps me communicate, with no fear.” Even our students recognize the importance of embracing this diversity by learning about other students’ cultures and traditions, and we should try to do the same. 

This understanding fosters a respectful and inclusive classroom environment. Encourage students to share their traditions and stories, turning your classroom into a global learning community. Remember, we learn as much from our students as they do from us. 

“Set aside time for activities that recharge you… We can only offer energy that has been restored from proper rest times.”

6. Stay curious 

When we encounter new situations, students, or settings, it can be easy to jump to conclusions about why things are happening, when someone may have a very different reason for their words or actions. Jerry Jones, a cross-culture coach with The Culture Blend and former LifePlus staff member counsels, “When we get an answer, we are left believing that we no longer need to ask questions. We’re good. Problem solved. Case closed. Now we understand, so there is nothing left to explore. And that is never, ever true. There is always more to it. Especially when it comes to cultural understanding.” So please ask questions. Ask all the questions. Stay curious about your students, your colleagues, and the host culture you’re living in, and it will help to build valuable bridges of understanding between you and those around you. 

7. Seek professional development 

Finally, continuous learning is a cornerstone of teaching excellence. We expect our students always to be learning, and as new discoveries in education happen every year, we expect the same from ourselves and our teachers. Stay active in your professional groups, engage in the dedicated staff training days, and talk with your divisional principal about other opportunities for professional growth. Tianjin International School wants to support all our teachers’ growth as educators and encourage them to share their knowledge with colleagues. We grow through ongoing connection and collaboration, and that requires intentional engagement. 

Let’s embark on this new school year with a spirit of enthusiasm, resilience, and a commitment to making a life-changing difference for our students and the world. Welcome to the new school year!