Job Discussion Forums

wawaguagua · Joined: 10 Feb 2013 Posts: 190 Location: China

...Another suitcase, another hall. Take your picture off another wall.

I'd convinced myself since college that an ESL career in Asia was the right move for me. Gain international work experience, save money, and explore another culture all at the same time? Where do I sign up? I took a 100-hour TEFL course with 60% of it in class. It wasn't CELTA and it didn't have an actual teaching demo component.

After saving up at a minimum wage retail job for a year after graduation, I got very eager and jumped at the best of five offers in China. I was hesitant about coming over on a tourist visa but I was very tired of waiting around for the next big thing.

My first week was shaky but I felt I was getting the hang of things. At the end of my probation period, I was unceremoniously fired due to complaints that I was boring and inexperienced. I was told that I worked hard and did everything right from a technical standpoint, but I'm not experienced enough and I lack a certain "spark" needed to be a teacher.

I was given advice to find a job that focuses on older students and then go back to kids after I was comfortable there. Unfortunately, my job search isn't turning up much else but private language schools and franchises working with kids.

The whole thing has been very discouraging to me and I'm not sure what to do now. I don't want to give up, as I invested so much time, effort, and money into this, and it's been my dream for several years. I also don't want to relocate all of my stuff to another city just to have history repeat itself. Should I just cut my losses and go home? Alternatively, as I still have money saved up, I've thought about flying to Thailand and taking the all-inclusive CELTA course there... Would that be worth it?

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

Don't despair too much. Your teaching was probably no worse than many others who hold down jobs here, you just ran into some bad luck at that job you were just let go from. You were working legally at this place, right? Z visa, residence permit and all?

You could try the country to the east of China. We can't mention it's name here or discuss it but they have a separate forum if you want to join and inquire there. You could also try university or college jobs in China, those are older students, but right now isn't a very good time to land one of those jobs I'm afraid. All on holiday and openings are scant in mid year.

One piece of advice, try to avoid jobs with a probation period. It just gives the school another reason to dump you if they don't like you.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

Where in China are you now ? How old are you ?
Are you still here on only a tourist visa ?

If you can wait a few weeks until the next semester starts then you might be able to get hired at a college or uni. There might be some universities that have found themselves without a foreign teacher for the new semester.

This is one of the few times that a recruiter might be useful since you are already in China and you need a job quickly.

wawaguagua · Joined: 10 Feb 2013 Posts: 190 Location: China

I'm in my mid-20's, in a third-tier city on the eastern seaboard. I'm sorry, I want to be more specific than that but I'm a bit shaken at the moment.

Yes, I'm still on a tourist visa. It's a multiple-entry one good for a year and I still have about a month and a half before I'd need to do a Hong Kong reentry.

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

bharrell · Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 102

One thing I learned about teaching in China was to not take the employers too seriously, They are often not qualified to pass judgement on a teacher. Everybody I know has had at least one problem with a school; one guy leaves every job ranting about what a crappy school XYZ is. And yet he is always finding work.
I'd take that school off my resume and just apply as if you were just now looking for work. What have you been doing? Just sightseeing, relaxing.
There are some of the strangest humans on earth teaching English, and some of the crappiest employers posing as English schools. Screw 'em. You are better than them. Just jump back in. Getting fired and/or having major disputes is just part of the experience for most of us. Persist, and you will be fine. The first year is the toughest. Don't give up.

wawaguagua · Joined: 10 Feb 2013 Posts: 190 Location: China

wawaguagua · Joined: 10 Feb 2013 Posts: 190 Location: China

Big Worm · Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Posts: 171

I wouldn't take it too hard.

There are many reasons why a person might get laid off like this. Yeah, you might not be a polished teacher, but guessing a random school wouldn't know a "good" teacher if it walked off the plane and fell in their lap.

Just move on, everything will be fine.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

it'snotmyfault · Joined: 14 May 2012 Posts: 527

Lots of good advice here, but also some conflicting advice regarding what you should do next.
That's up to you to decide.

If you've just had your confidence knocked in a training school, going into a public school job with big classes and a remit of "just talk to them"
Well, that's pretty daunting for most people.

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

wawaguagua · Joined: 10 Feb 2013 Posts: 190 Location: China

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

Been thinking more since posting earlier. Definitely try and find another job where you are. And my personal preference would be for the private sector / training centre type place. I cant comment on your last employers approach as I dont know them ... but my training centres approach is normally for you to watch several lessons and chat with several teachers. Teach two or more one-off elective classes and get some constructive feedback, and then start on your own with a reduced workload and some help with materials for the first few weeks. (we rarely take inexperienced teachers .. the routine I desrcribe is the process for experienced teachers) I would imagine the training programs at places like EF, Disney, Wall Street, and possibly Aston and Shane are better again.

If you find a training centre that is prepared to give you a fair crack of the whip and some support ... that would be a wise option I think.

Im really unsure about the public school option, partly based on my experience of it, partly based on forum chatter and the impression I have been given from people who Ive worked with who've gone that route. I volunteered in a middle school teaching Senior 2 (students about 16 years old) for 12 lessons a week. It was easier in that I was never going to get fired as long as I turned up and wasnt drunk, but 40-50 students each class, some who wouldnt / couldnt speak a word of English, some who would sleep, and a handful that had interest is possibly not what the Doctor would order! I also think what you learn in that environment is often just how to get through, make do, survive. Its not realistic to expect that someone who has no recognised EFL qualifications is likely to accrue much knowledge on second language acquisition or teaching methodologies from that sector. What you learn isnt really always that useful.

But on the same hand ... the CELTA is quite difficult for many people. Yes, its a fantastic course for you to take, its going to teach you some real fundamentals about language teaching and let you practise language teaching in a safe and supportive environment, with feedback to help you. BUT, its hard and stressful for many people who take ... some of whom go on and fail to pass the course. Going to do the CELTA would be a break and a chance to start again ... but you would be entering into a 4 weeks course thats going to add different pressures. If your confidence is shot now ... you are going to have to be very thick skinned and have big balls to enter a CELTA classroom and teach with 8 people observing you and writing down your mistakes.

Its a difficult situation for sure.