About the Host School

Founded in September 1942, Fuyang High School is a well-established State key school with an outstanding reputation based on the excellent academic record of its students, as well as the excellent quality of the teaching staff. In January 1996, the school was approved by the Zhejiang Education Committee as one of the first-class key high schools. The school enrolls students from all over the Hangzhou area and Zhejiang province. There are more than three thousand students ranging in age from 16 to 18. With "Diligent, Realistic, Positive, Creative" as the motto, and "Help set every student on the road to success" as the goal, the school is operated in accordance with laws, and managed with morality. With the scientific management, the school spares no effort in building a national school of high standards and unique features.

The AP Centre

The AP Center was initiated in September 2010, with 70 students, five Chinese subject teachers, five foreign teachers and a comprehensive administrative team. The AP program is a natural fit for a school with a history of many strong international relationships, annual teacher and student overseas exchanges, and English language summer camps. The Center has its own computer lab, physics and chemistry labs and all open access to all other school facilities.

All foreign teachers in China can agree on one point: Chinese students are a pleasure to teach. They are polite, well-behaved and accustomed to structure and self-discipline and therefore, classroom management problems are minor. As with most boarding schools worldwide, the student day is carefully planned and very busy, leaving little personal time. Though many students are reticent to speak up or pose questions in class discussions, they are willing and even anxious to adapt the student-centered styles and learning activities that promote individual responsibility.

Lifestyle

The low cost of living here allows us a very comfortable western style apartment off campus and on the opposite side of the river. A typical 2-3 bedroom, 2 bath, furnished (sorry, no clothes dryers or dishwashers) apartment in a central location is easily found and covered by the housing allowance. Internet service and other utilities are much less expensive than in the US. Our host school currently takes care of the apartment rental process and has even paid the substantial deposits.

Fuyang is a small city by Chinese standards so there is very little in the way of ex-pat life. There are some very good (and cheap) local restaurants and coffee shops, as well as typical fast-food fare, e.g., KFC (no Starbucks or McDonald’s as of now). Hangzhou is 40 km away but even by car (average cost of car/driver is 250-300 RMB; bus is also available), it takes over an hour from door-to-door. A few ex-pats do live here, some work as English teachers at our school, but connecting with other foreigners will not be easy to do.

Hangzhou area in Zhejiang province is one of the top tourist spots in China. There are numerous websites, books and magazines for travel planning. Expedia and C-Trip are good places to start.

Teacher Case Study

Neil Swaysland - English

I came to China in 2004 with a desire to teach English and experience something different. I still feel, after more than six years, that I am learning about this vast culture, and my optimism for teaching English here and bridging communication has never waned.

Dipont offered me a professional environment to practice English language teaching and the freedom to develop further as a teacher in China. I am currently enjoying working with American teachers in a small team in Fuyang, Zhejiang. Although I am the only British teacher here, I feel that the collegiality in this AP center has motivated me and made my experience pleasant. The American program and exams have been a big interest for me after a longish stint of IELTS examining.

I have picked up an LTCL TESOL Diploma on the way and am completing my MA TESOL by distance. Researching Chinese students’ English offers a plethora of novel research avenues, and I hope to continue studying whilst applying insight to practice.

I also managed to start a family in China and have a beautiful daughter and Chinese wife. It has been easy for me to accommodate them here and get on with an exciting life in China.

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Student Case Study

Ashley

When did you start at the AP Center and how would you describe your experience there?

I just started at the AP Center this September. The experience here is new; I've never had such a kind of experience before. I mean speaking English every day, doing homework in English and so on. Since I'm here, I have to learn a lot of new words every day and now I begin to feel how hard English is!

What are the benefits of you personally studying in the program?

I don't need to learn the tough Chinese classes any more. If I were in the normal class, I'd have a hard time to improve my grade and the result maybe dissatisfied. Now, I think personally I'm doing not so bad here. It gives me confidence. Also, I can go abroad to further my study, which is one of my dreams.

What are /have been the challenges for you personally studying in the program?

Language. Sometimes the knowledge is not difficult, but as long as I don't understand the question, it can be really tough.

What are your plans for university?

I haven't made up my plans for university as I don't know a lot about American universities. But I'd like to have a job working on translation or in diplomacy

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