Shanghai rose to prominence in the 19th century when China opened its borders to trade with the West, and has since developed into a global business and financial capital with the busiest container port in the world. From ancient gardens and temples to a highly modern skyline towering above the East China Sea, Shanghai is a fascinating synthesis of the old and new China and an extremely rewarding city to live in.
Moving to Shanghai will prove quite an adjustment for many English speaking teachers coming from Western nations. The sheer number of people can make the city feel overwhelming at times as the streets are constantly bustling with noise and activity. Traffic can be very chaotic, but the Shanghai Metro is one of the best in all of China and connects to most major urban and suburban districts, so you will never have a problem getting around town.
The language barrier can prove another formidable component to living in Shanghai, but with patience and understanding you will find that communication is usually possible even when the other party is not familiar with the English language. Many signs are written in both Mandarin and English so that it is easy to find your way around as well.
While you are earning your TEFL certification in Shanghai don’t hesitate to make the effort to learn Mandarin as well! The world’s most common native language (English) is becoming increasingly useful as China develops into a global leader on many fronts, but expanding your language skills can never hurt.