Graduate to Teach English in China

Like other top schools, King’s offers a rigorous Christian education with a focus on critical thinking and persuasiveness. But education at King’s is different. What happens in the classroom quickly bleeds out into the many opportunities, not only in New York City, but also around the globe. Greg Dubois, a graduating senior in the House of C.S. Lewis, recently landed a job in China teaching English to university students. He is also the recipient of William R. Bright Award, an award given to a student who embodies a similar vision, passion and commitment to that of Dr. Bright in reaching people for Christ.

In the Q&A below, Greg describes his journey and how his education at King’s contributed to him landing this opportunity in China.

Q. Where are you from?

I grew up in upstate New York with my parents and two brothers and sisters. I was home-schooled through the 12th grade, although I supplemented that education with classes at a community college and at a local co-op. I loved music while growing up—studied classical piano for 13 years and sang in a number of choirs including the Empire State Youth Chorale. Besides music, I enjoyed sports but never quite found the time or availability to pick them up. I joined a crew team in high school and eventually gave that up to participate in high school Mock Trial.

Q. What brought you to King’s?

A. I came to King’s because I was looking for a school that would integrate the development of students’ faith with that of their intellect. I got way more than I bargained for! King’s is a place where students can grow tremendously in all areas of their life—leadership, practical skills, knowledge, intellect, and faith—if they are willing to take up the gauntlet cast before them by the faculty and staff of King’s.

Q. Tell us a little bit about how you came to teach English in China. When did you get the job offer, and what will your responsibilities be?

A. Last year, I spent three weeks in Shanghai with International Ventures teaching a cross-cultural curriculum on the American worldview to undergraduate and graduate students at Shanghai International Studies University. I discovered that I really enjoyed teaching. More importantly, I discovered China for the first time.

I began to pursue positions teaching English as a foreign language last November. After a month of e-mails, phone calls, and more, I discovered the English Language Institute/China, a teacher placement organization with quite an impressive track record. Since 1983, they’ve been placing English teachers at over 25 universities across China. Most recently, the Chinese Government has asked them to develop certification tests to ensure that only quality English teachers can work in China.

I immediately applied of course. After a series of interviews, they offered me a position in their Teaching Fellowship Program. I’ll be teaching English to university students along with a team of other recent graduates. ELIC will also certify me in TEFOL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) prior to my teaching engagement.

Q. Do you have any plans for the long term future? 

A. In the next three to five years, I will be preparing to join Wycliffe Bible Translators to serve in some capacity on their international teams. Teaching English in China is a stepping stone toward that goal—I get international, experience, teacher certification, and language skills the first year out of King’s. Of course, I’ll have to pay off student loans, and probably get a Master’s degree in anthropology or linguistics before joining Wycliffe. But a lot can change in five years. I may stay with ELIC for a few years, pursue a degree in Intercultural Communication in Shanghai, and continue teaching English as a foreign language.

Q. What components of the King’s education were most important to you getting this opportunity?

A. I would not have gotten this job if not for King’s. International Ventures opened my eyes to the possibility of working overseas as an English teacher and gave me valuable experience teaching in a cross-cultural context. The King’s Debate Society taught me how to think and communicate clearly—an invaluable skill in a language learning context. Last semester, I interned with the Latin teacher at Geneva Classical School and got some practical experience teaching foreign languages.

Most importantly, my King’s education helped me understand the links between language, ideas, and actions. Dr. Jackson’s classes on philosophy of education have changed the way I approach education forever, and my PP&E degree will help me communicate the very culture which created the English language to my students.