Cost of living
You can get a decent western meal for about 40RMB. A large bottle of local beer for 10RMB and a pint of international larger for 25RMB. If you’re watching your cash, you can get a bowl of noodles or some other local dishes (of course the Sichuan spice is optional; not everyone enjoys tongue numbing sauce or soup) for 4RMB, or if your feeling a bit flush, the Beijing duck or other pricier restaurants, will set you back about 60RMB.
Meals can vary from quirky traditional Chengdu street stalls, flashy 7 story restaurants, Thai, Indian, Italian and surprise surprise - there’s an Irish bar and Starbucks.
Transport wise – there’s adequate buses (1RMB), plentiful taxis (12RMB to work). But the best we’ve found and use, is bikes (pedal if you’re keen or one of the popular electric scooter types – usually slower than a pedal bike – but a good laugh!)

Accommodation
If you choose not to take one of EF’s flats (which are a good size, good location, but with not very modern finishes), then you’re looking at anything from 500RMB+ per month. A decent one bedroom flat with modern and western fittings is about 1000RMB.

What to do
It’s a huge city with pretty much everything you might need. If you’re feeling Chinese, check out the numerous teahouses and have a game of the infamous ‘dou di ju’ or ‘ma jiang’. There’re plenty of temples and parks to wander around. And for night, there are some live music bars and lots of various drinking bars and clubs – although the Chinese music is somewhat to be desired. Something quieter might be the cinema (some English available) or just get yourself one of the cheap DVD’s or bowling.

What can/can’t you get in Chengdu?
You cant get ‘blue tac’ for teaching, proper English teabags and that’s about it…
Otherwise, the local Carrefour supermarket is more than sufficient, with a foreign section of imported foods: baked beans, Brie, cereal etc. There’s also an IKEA and a good selection of International clothing shops. These international and imported goods are relatively expensive but affordable. Oh, also shoes are sometimes limited in big sizes (over 48’s for men and 40’s for women).

The teachers.
There’s about 10, contracted foreign teacher’s here. At the moment we’re English, Kiwi, Botswanian and Spanish aged 22-30. Most of us are out here to start our careers, study and travel, so were all pretty like-minded people and actually all get on really well. We’re a pretty social bunch – always enjoy dinner and the odd beer or two together after work. You might find us sometimes at KTV or nightclubs, rarely at the Irish bar. But usually at one of the few local bars – probably the only ones that appreciate a bit of good music and atmosphere, where there’s often a bit of a jam on the guitar or bongos. We’ve got a good relationship with the Chinese staff here too, who sometimes come out with us, thankfully they love the microphone at KTV so we can escape deafening people!

Personal Experiences.
I've been teaching English in Chengdu for eighteen months. My first TEFL experience has been a great one!!
EF provides most materials you’ll need and have a great selection of activity books and extra resources. In the staff room we’re continuously teaching each other new ideas or swapping lesson plans and using the resources the school has provided as well as making some of our own. It’s great if you’re new to teaching because the school is very supportive, all the teachers are always happy to help with any problems and the local staff can help with those awkward translation needs outside of work.
EF accommodation is good for me, money owed is reliably paid (flights, overtime, wages) and most importantly for me is the good friendships with all our colleagues.
What's good about EF is the variety of teaching. From teaching three-year olds to say hello, to advanced business to directors of major companies. Young children, teenagers, adults of all ages, one-to-one classes, group classes, some three hours long, some forty minutes, in school, off site at schools or businesses.
Some of the activities EF holds for students are also actually a good laugh for the teacher’s too. Here’s some pictures of the activities we’ve done with EF:

Emma Tudor
February 2007

I originally started working for EF in another city called Guiyang. To begin with I wasn't too impressed with how things were run. A lot of the EF schools try to run without a DOS: it doesn't work. After our DOS arrived things improved. I wanted to continue working within their stable work frame. Which is when I transferred to Chengdu.
When I came to EF Chengdu I was very impressed with everyone’s professionalism. They run a very good school here and it works very well. I have been very happy with working for EF here.
We have a very good working environment where we are continuously help each other. I myself ran a training session a few weeks ago on teaching techniques for reading. I also know Allan the present DOS wants to do more of these types of session in the future we usually have one every 3-4 weeks.
My own experience here has been very good. I have been very happy with the school and there are many opportunities to develop your teaching. There are times when we are asked to a bit extra but it is very much the case of you help us we'll help you and always works out fair.
Our pay goes a long way here and it is possible to save quite a bit. Chengdu is a very easy-going city, and has a great situation for traveling around the country and the province Sichuan has a great diversity of peoples and places.
Also if you want to learn some of the language there are many friend to make here that would be happy to help.
Paul Traynor
May 2007