As the full moon rose above the World Link campus on a late September evening, the Real Life English and ACLS teachers and students gathered for what would be a fabulous night.

The celebrations were kicked off with a comedy number from the ACLS students. The finer points of the Chinese language joke were lost on many of us westerners but our Chinese friends assured us that it was indeed very funny.

For the second act a group of English language students were directed by Real Life English teacher Josh in a rousing retelling of the romantic story of "Chang Er Flies To The Moon"- with water pistols in place of a bow and arrow, a cheesy musical soundtrack, and plentiful cardboard props, the passionately acted tale had everyone laughing.

Next up was the annual World Link moon-cake eating competition. With 8 competitors working in teams of two to down 6 cakes each, there was an early disqualification and some very sick looking participants before RLE student John Galaxy came in at first place. Congratulations to him!

Real Life English teacher Scott rounded up the activities with a moon festival quiz. The much coveted prizes of 'fuwa' Olympic mascot toys meant the competition was fierce, and tempers ran high.

All was settled afterwards however with moon-cakes and iced green tea being enjoyed by all. It was a great evening of fun, friends and laughs.

Meng Ding Yi (China) brandishes his pistol at the hapless Josh as the drama unfolds in 'Chang Er Flies To The Moon'	Stomachs are tested to the limits in the Moon Cake eating competition

The competition heats up as Scott leads the Moon Festival Quiz	The winning team laps up the glory - Josh, Liu Li Yan, Wang Zi Tong, Lu Ying, Guo Wen Xia

Classes at our newest campus in Haidian were kicked off to a spectacular start when our teachers put on a show in the shopping centre downstairs. The huge turn-out of local residents were greeted first with a show put on by our teachers, including a very cool sax and guitar performance by David and Ben, followed by other various performances. However the most fun came afterwards with the inventive English learning games that the teachers played with (at times slightly bewildered) willing volunteers. Josh quizzed people on their understanding of English directions, by blindfolding them and directing them around a maze, Scott channelled his inner game show host with an English themed 'Wheel of Fortune', and local kids got right into pass the parcel and musical chairs. Those who were unaware of the English school upstairs certainly know where we are now.

John (U.S.A.), Josh (U.S.A.), Scott (Australia), Olivia (Australia) and Nicola (China) got their dancing shoes on	Jackie (U.S.A.) leads young English learners in games

One of the exciting aspects of the Teach-in-China programme is that there are fun-filled excursions every month. This is an excellent opportunity to see the major sights of Beijing, such as Fragrant Hills Park. It is a park located at the foot of the western mountains in the north-western part of Beijing. Most of us were content to take in the breath-taking scenery of the park from the cable car ride, while Aussies Michelle and Scott hiked to the top of the mountain! They must put something extra in the water in Australia.

We were lucky enough to be able to visit The Fragrant Hills (or Xiang Shan) in autumn, when the forests covering the western hills take on all the shades of red, gold, green and brown. This is the time that local Beijingers choose to come to Xiang Shan to take in the last fire of colour before the leaves fall for winter. We spent a great morning up on the mountain, tasting local Beijing snacks at the summit. As we looked out over Beijing from the top of the mountain, the smell of roasted chestnuts filled the air, making us feel warm on that cool autumn day.

Y (U.S.A.) and Emily (U.S.A.) take in the scenery from the cable car	... While Michelle (Australia) treks up the hill down below

Emily (U.S.A.) and Elliott (U.S.A.) enjoying the Fragrant Hills' famous autumn colours	We did it! John (U.K.), Chris (U.S.A.), Jared (U.S.A.), David (U.S.A.), and Elliott (U.S.A.)	The Fragrant Hills' scenery took our breath away

By Tim Gutmann

With insatiable demand and flexible requirements, English teaching jobs abound worldwide. The intensity and uniqueness of Beijing endorse it as a destination, but the city's character simply must be seen. There is so much here, and nowhere else.

What you've heard is true. It is a city of countless intersections. Its hutongs hold community immemorial while international designers remake its skyline interminably. Temples and palaces tell of legendary power while Beijing's common corners look like time has forgot them. Each season, Beijing bounds forward with the worldly confidence of Shanghai, while retaining the easy grace of northeast China. Despite its hectic contemporary character, the city's deep-rooted traditionalism takes modernity only on its own terms.

Now, those looking for a hearth of globalism and case in much-studied contemporary contrasts need not be satisfied with just that. Beijing is not just an intersection of history, it is one of many people's paths. There is little these generations of Beijingers have not seen. A thriving expatriate community also provides the respite of home and a chance to take advantage of China's unique hospitality. In Beijing's restaurants as well as its speech, journeys all over China can begin.

To plump for it I ask what other Ming dynasty capitals turned nexus of globalization could pull this off? Of course, coming here on a teach abroad program like World Link Education's is practically appealing too. Our parents' generation had the year in Europe. Time teaching in China provides invaluable cultural perspective for contemporary tastes and budgets. Don't mistake me on this point: teaching English is not the way to build up equity, but the exciting experience complements a more than comfortable lifestyle. The combination of work experience and perspective on a job market in seemingly ceaseless boom fit nicely into many of our post-college plans.

Most of all, should you come to Beijing, come here to learn. Beijing contains volumes of cultural history that have already been written. Living there now keeps one up to the developments of the future, increasingly scripted in China's hand.