I’ve never liked a 9 to 5 job, especially desk jobs. So about a year and a half ago when I found myself behind a computer 40 hours a week, I needed a change. My newlywed Chinese wife and I decided to move back to her Chinese hometown. 

We were so excited to move that I hastily accepted a job with an English school. This school looked very official, but I found myself to be in the hands of unorganized Chinese management and unorganized teaching training. When I arrived at the school I expected to be taught how to teach, but this school wanted to see how I would react with children. My first day I was given 6 flashcards and 90 minutes to teach them, meanwhile my supervisors watched my every move. Obviously 90 minutes is too long to teach 6 flashcards, and obviously I didn’t know what I was doing. I left this school very quickly. 

After my first experience I knew what kind of school I was looking for. I wanted an organized school willing to train me how to teach children. When I found DD Dragon I wasn’t sure if it was the school for me until I met the “crew”. I found all the foreign teachers to be very welcoming and kind.  I instantly felt part of the group and could tell I wasn’t going to have the same problems as before. The final thing that led me to sign my contract with DD Dragon was Matt Johanson gave me a copy of a contract to read at home. I could tell right away that this school had western management compared to my first school that shoved papers in my face and demanded I sign. 

Matt’s training style for teachers is very efficient, individualized, and well thought out. I found the training to be very enjoyable and straight to the point. I would show up early discuss certain teaching methods with Matt, watch others classes, and then discuss what I saw. Eventually after becoming confident enough to teach, Matt would let me teach while he listened. He would later tell me what I did great and what needs to improve. This doesn’t stop with training either Matt was always willing to give advice and help teachers become better. 

I fully enjoyed my time at DD Dragon under Matt Johanson’s a.k.a M.J. and recommend anyone interested in coming to teach in China to consider this school. 

Tanner B.