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twilothunder
Joined: 09 Dec 2011
Posts: 442
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 Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:23 am Post subject: |
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| Erutpar wrote: |
I'm trying to find decent, reputable training centers and language schools in the city. My search is coming up empty.
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I would be quite surprised if that were the case, especially right now (hiring season).
Some sites you may not know about:
http://networkesl.com/ (I found a good job here a few years ago, suggest you look at their list of schools recruiting then contact the school directly)
http://www.chinajob.com/ |
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zootown
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Posts: 310
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:37 am Post subject: |
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| Erutpar wrote: |
| Miles Smiles wrote: |
Can you check yourself into an inexpensive hotel in Beijing without the help of a speaker of Chinese? Can you order a meal at a restaurant without help?
Do you know how to ask for directions in Chinese?
To whom will you turn when the situation goes south?
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I failed to mention I have a small network of Chinese friends in Beijing, hence why I chose Beijing specifically. And also a reason why I'm wondering if I can find a job on arrival, because my primary purpose would be to visit friends, get a feel for the city, and then hopefully work.
I'm trying to find decent, reputable training centers and language schools in the city. My search is coming up empty.
If I could obtain a Z visa in the current country I'm in (Australia, not my home country), maybe it would be best to take that route. |
I wouldn't get your hopes up of getting a Z visa in Australia my dealing with the Chinese embassy in Sydney was poor to say the least now that they have outsourced their visa application process to a " private company" their even worse just charge you more money. |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:36 am Post subject: |
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| Erutpar wrote: |
I failed to mention I have a small network of Chinese friends in Beijing, hence why I chose Beijing specifically. And also a reason why I'm wondering if I can find a job on arrival, because my primary purpose would be to visit friends, get a feel for the city, and then hopefully work.
I'm trying to find decent, reputable training centers and language schools in the city. My search is coming up empty.
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I would think that your friends in Beijing would be able to provide a LOT more help than strangers on an EFL board.
Good luck. |
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Erutpar
Joined: 16 Apr 2012
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you.
Ok then, for the sake of not starting another thread I'll also ask about the realistic time frame. That is, assuming I go back home and get my Z visa the correct way--landing a job before going to China-- how long will the process take to get me to Beijing, from application, to stepping foot in Beijing? |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010
Posts: 3258
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Best case scenario: one week. But........ |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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If you get a contract in your home country in the first week of July, count on getting your letter of invitation (which you'll need to apply for your Z visa) in August.
Try to apply for a job as soon as possible so that the FAO of your school can get on it right away. In many schools, the FAO doesn't even go to the office after school is out, even though the FAO's job is a FULL TIME POSITION. In addition, the letter of invitation always seems to arrive pretty late, but always in time for you to process your visa application through a courier service.
The question is this: If things run REALLY slowly, are you willing to buy your plane ticket before you even get your visa in-hand?
Summary: try to get your job lined up as soon as possible, and then start hounding the recruiter and/or your employer for the letter of invitation on a regular basis. The Chinese don't get out much, so they don't really understand that getting a plane ticket is a lot different from buying a bus ticket. Consequently, many schools feel almost NO sense of urgency to get the paperwork taken care of quickly. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:30 am Post subject: |
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'The Chinese don't get out much, so they don't really understand that getting a plane ticket is a lot different from buying a bus ticket. Consequently, many schools feel almost NO sense of urgency to get the paperwork taken care of quickly'.
This is so true. If you add in things like letting your house, putting car in storage etc, even when you know you're going, is a hassle. Arranging these things on a 'might happen, might not' basis is a nightmare.
My take home message is 'apply early and often from April onward'. |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:37 am Post subject: |
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| Non Sequitur wrote: |
My take home message is 'apply early and often from April onward'. |
I tried to make this my signature attributable to you, Non Sequitur, but apparently, signatures aren't allowed.
This is excellent advice. |
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shadowrider
Joined: 05 Feb 2012
Posts: 208
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:58 am Post subject: |
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| Miles Smiles wrote: |
If you get a contract in your home country in the first week of July, count on getting your letter of invitation (which you'll need to apply for your Z visa) in August.
Summary: try to get your job lined up as soon as possible, and then start hounding the recruiter and/or your employer for the letter of invitation on a regular basis. The Chinese don't get out much, so they don't really understand that getting a plane ticket is a lot different from buying a bus ticket. Consequently, many schools feel almost NO sense of urgency to get the paperwork taken care of quickly. |
True. My employer sent my paperwork in mid-August after many requests of where it was and then expected me to be there basically prior to September 1, a few days after I received the paperwork. I sent my paperwork in mid-June... They didn't seem to understand we can't book out flights before getting the visa and the extreme cost of flights on short notice. I arrived on my contract date of September 1.
Same thing with holidays, as booking/ buying tickets in advance is much cheaper. Is it the *rich foreigner* thing or is the don't care attitude? Me wonders... |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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I had forgotten about the air bookings.
The 10000RMB allowance on offer at my last school didn't cover even the best deal I could get on the airline.
Some newbies come to China so strapped that they have to book one-way only. Cheaper than a return but 2x one-ways is vastly more expensive in the end.
Someone mentioned that FAOs are paid to work over the summer to tidy up the recruitment side. My experience that they are on deck until 2nd week in July and saunter back say 2nd week August.
Again get all your paperwork early. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010
Posts: 3258
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Some newbies come to China so strapped that they have to book one-way only |
If you're so strapped you can't afford to get out of here.......... |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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| johntpartee wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Some newbies come to China so strapped that they have to book one-way only |
If you're so strapped you can't afford to get out of here.......... |
What happens is that not having a paid ticket out adds pressure on the job working out.
If money forces you to get a one way, make sure all the other factors add up. |
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Nkengaola
Joined: 28 Nov 2011
Posts: 92
Location: Wanzhou, Chongqing
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| Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 9:00 pm Post subject: One-way vs. round-trip ticket to China |
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I'm curious about one-way vs. round-trip tickets to China.
I have enough money for a one-way ticket, or a round-trip ticket, or to buy two one-way tickets. Obviously it would be most economical to buy a round-trip ticket, but for what length of time? A year (the length of my contract)? If I hate China and want to bail out, I doubt I would be able to change the return ticket without incurring a lot of fees, negating the savings. And buying a ticket with a flexible return date - frankly it seems about the same amount as buying two one-way tickets. Maybe I'm looking at this incorrectly, or at the wrong travel websites. What's the best route to take? |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010
Posts: 3258
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| Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Obviously it would be most economical to buy a round-trip ticket |
Not really. The difference is minimal if you're purchasing your one-ways sufficiently in advance (two weeks or so). Usually. |
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shadowrider
Joined: 05 Feb 2012
Posts: 208
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| Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:19 pm Post subject: Re: One-way vs. round-trip ticket to China |
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| Nkengaola wrote: |
I'm curious about one-way vs. round-trip tickets to China.
I have enough money for a one-way ticket, or a round-trip ticket, or to buy two one-way tickets. Obviously it would be most economical to buy a round-trip ticket, but for what length of time? A year (the length of my contract)? If I hate China and want to bail out, I doubt I would be able to change the return ticket without incurring a lot of fees, negating the savings. And buying a ticket with a flexible return date - frankly it seems about the same amount as buying two one-way tickets. Maybe I'm looking at this incorrectly, or at the wrong travel websites. What's the best route to take? |
Most airline return tickets are capped at a year. Any discounted online tickets usually don't allow changes* Varies with the airline. Its a full-fare if you want the change. I would buy a RT ticket and time the return for spring festival. |
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