It’s not uncommon to hear expats in China whisper about “LBH” like it’s a cursed word, a label that sticks to English teachers like gum on a shoe. The term feels like a punchline, a joke that’s been told so often it’s lost its edge, but the truth is, it's a stereotype as sticky as glue.
In countries where Mandarin Chinese isn't an issue for language barriers - many of these teaching jobs are considered to be 'backup plan' opportunities or last resorts. Furthermore, English teachers in China rarely get time off due to their job commitments and travel requirements which make them feel like they’re stuck on a bus without much chance for spontaneity.
The irony is that English teacher positions based abroad offer an opportunity - both blessing & curse – one hand holding onto benefits while another seeks out new experiences through local exploration, whereas some teachers may never actually take advantage of the travel opportunities presented to them.
For instance: there are various locations where a person with experience in teaching could potentially find themselves within China such as Shanghai and Xi'an or perhaps even somewhere like Beijing.
English teacher positions offer an opportunity – both blessings & curse - one hand holding onto benefits while another seeks out new experiences through local exploration, whereas some teachers may never actually take advantage of the travel opportunities presented to them.
There are multiple cities in which they can choose from such as Shanghai and Xi'an where English language courses could potentially be given by foreign students looking for better job prospects after getting their qualifications - this way giving said person both opportunity & experience.
Traveling without breaks is something many teachers face due to the heavy schedule required of them. This means missing out on local experiences, which can sometimes mean not appreciating historical significance in a location such as Xi'an where it has its famous Drum Tower and Bell tower - locations that are often photographed by tourists looking at their best.
In terms of spontaneity: English teachers who travel frequently may visit the ancient city's drum without taking advantage or appreciation for those particular sights.
There is another issue, namely being on a plane going over every single essay while traveling which can be said to take up so much time - an example would include flying from one end (Beijing) all way down into Shanghai within Nanjing and Hangzhou with little opportunity given these places along the journey due in part by job pressures requiring you complete your work before anything else.
The LBH label also has a funny way of making people question themselves about their choices, especially when they have spent so much time working instead of taking advantage or having fun from being on that bus. This can be attributed to some teachers' lack of spontaneity while others would say it is due in part by job pressures requiring them complete work before anything else.
This creates an interesting dynamic where English teacher positions are seen both as a blessing and curse, giving opportunities for growth yet sometimes making those very same people feel trapped on that bus without any chance to explore what each city has to offer.
The idea of spontaneity being taken away from these teachers
Categories:
English, Teachers, Teacher, China, Label, Travel, Without,
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