Teaching, Serving, and Finding Meaning in China

When I first arrived in China in 2018 to teach English (I started teaching English in 2021 - before that I did teach other topics like business, math and finance etc…),I thought my role would be simple: stand in front of a classroom, deliver lessons, and help students improve their language skills. But over the years, my journey has become so much more than just a job.

Beyond the classroom, I’ve thrown myself into every opportunity to support my students—whether it’s joining English corners, helping with speech competitions, or participating in cultural exchange activities. These moments have allowed me to connect with students in ways that go far beyond grammar and vocabulary.

Guiding Students Beyond English

Something unexpected happened along the way. Many students began approaching me privately—not just for help with English, but for personal counsel. They saw me as approachable, friendly, and someone they could trust. And because of that, they asked me questions about life, relationships, and their future.

I never imagined that my role as a teacher would extend into being a mentor. Yet, I found myself offering advice that students later told me had made a real difference in their lives. Some even returned months later to share how my counsel had helped them achieve success or overcome challenges. Hearing their feedback filled me with deep satisfaction and gave my time in China a profound sense of meaning.

More Than a Job

Participating in these activities and offering guidance was never required of me. I could have limited myself to teaching English and nothing more. But I chose to serve because it brings me joy—and because it reflects my beliefs as a Christian.

My faith is central to who I am. I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and one of the values I hold dear is serving others. For me, teaching in China has become a way to live out that faith. Every conversation, every piece of advice, and every moment spent helping students is an extension of my commitment to serve, uplift, and love others as Christ taught.

Lessons From My Students

One of the most fascinating discoveries I’ve made is the difference between advising my own children and advising my students. At home (well I am divorced, but I do talk often to my kids through Wechat on a video call),my kids sometimes resist my counsel—perhaps because of the emotional ties and the natural push-and-pull between parent and child. But with my students, there’s no such resistance. They feel they have nothing to lose by trying my advice, and often, they find that it yields surprisingly good results.

This contrast has taught me something important: sometimes, people outside our closest circles are more open to listening and applying guidance. And when they do, the impact can be remarkable.

The Spirit of Christmas

As the Christmas season approaches, I can’t help but reflect on how my experiences here in China connect to the true meaning of Christmas. For Christians, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ—the ultimate example of love, humility, and service. His life was dedicated to lifting others, healing the brokenhearted, and teaching us to serve one another.

Even for those who are not Christian, Christmas often becomes a time to gather with family, exchange gifts, and celebrate togetherness. And that, too, reflects the spirit of Christ: bringing joy, strengthening bonds, and sharing kindness.

In my own work with students, I see a parallel. Just as Jesus gave freely of Himself, I try to give my time, counsel, and encouragement to those who seek it. The joy I feel when students tell me my advice helped them is, in many ways, my own Christmas gift—one that doesn’t come wrapped in paper, but in gratitude and shared growth.

Finding Joy in Service

Looking back on these years, I realize that my time in China has been more than a career—it has been a calling. Teaching English opened the door, but serving students, guiding them in life, and living my faith through action has given me a sense of purpose that I never expected.

Every success story from a student reminds me why I am here. Every smile, every “thank you,” and every testimony of how my advice helped them is a blessing. And in those moments, I feel the joy of knowing that my work is not just about language—it’s about love, service, and faith.

That, to me, is the true spirit of Christmas: following the example of Jesus Christ by serving others, sharing kindness, and finding joy in giving. Whether through family celebrations, gift exchanges, or quiet acts of service, Christmas reminds us that life’s greatest meaning is found in love.

#E05 Wang Xiaorui 1130# I did write a review of this post from my teacher: 

https://mgameirollc.uteach.io/blog/christmas-2025

Here is my review: After reading my teacher's blog, my heart is filled with warmth and gratitude. To us students, my teacher is never just an English teacher, but also a friend who is always willing to listen and care for us sincerely.✨✨✨ 

In class, my teacher teaches us English. Outside class, we can always find my teacher at English corners, English speech contests, and even in the school cafeteria. We are willing to share our confusion in life and our worries about the future with my teacher, because my teacher is always gentle and patient, and my teacher's advice is sincere and helpful. My teacher never treats us casually; my teacher takes every question to heart. This trust and companionship have long gone beyond the usual teacher-student relationship.🎊🎊🎊 

My teacher has shown us through my teacher's actions that education is not only about passing on knowledge, but also about sharing love and strength. We deeply appreciate all my teacher has done for us, and my teacher's encouragement and guidance have truly changed us in many ways.🌷🌷🌷 

From this Christmas blog, I understand what my teacher means: true joy comes from sincere dedication and companionship. Thank you, my teacher, for giving us so much precious warmth and growth on our journey of learning English.✨✨✨ 

May every Christmas of my teacher be filled with love, hope, warmth, and happiness!🎉🎉🎉

# E02 Fuhuijing 4141 # I did write a review of this post from my teacher, Here is my review: 

After reading Teacher Marcelo’s Christmas 2025 blog, my heart is filled with warm gratitude and deep feelings. What he shared let me see not just an excellent English teacher, but a sincere mentor who devotes himself to caring for students’ growth. When he first came to China, he only planned to teach English knowledge, but he has long gone beyond this role—he joins our English corners, helps with speech competitions, and takes part in cultural exchange activities, making English learning a warm and lively experience instead of a boring task of memorizing words and grammar. [拥抱][拥抱] What’s more precious is that he is always a trustworthy listener 👂👂for us. Many of us have talked to him privately about troubles in life, confusion about the future, and pressure in study, and he always listens patiently and gives sincere, practical advice. I once felt lost about balancing English learning with my major, and his gentle guidance helped me find a proper rhythm, which made my English study more efficient and eased my anxiety. 💪🏻💪🏻 From his sharing, I also understand the true meaning of Christmas he wants to convey: it’s not just about gifts and gatherings, but about the spirit of love, service and giving. He takes serving students as a part of his faith, devoting his time and care selflessly, and feels joyful for every little progress we make. Meeting Teacher Marcelo is a great luck on my English learning journey. He not only teaches us how to learn English well, but also tells us how to face life with a warm and sincere heart. I will keep his guidance in mind, work harder on English, and also learn to be a person who is willing to care for and help others, passing on the warmth he has given us.❤️❤️