Job Discussion Forums

[mieze]

The vast majority of ads that I've seen for university jobs require 2 years previous teaching experience. They vary in the strength of their demand from "unqualified applicants will not be considered", to "must have", to "preferred", to "our ideal candidate will have". Are they just overstating the necessity of having that experience as a way of filtering out totally unqualified sheisters, or do they really have such a wealth of options that they can afford to descriminate so much? I got the impression that most TEFLers in China were of a straight-out-of-uni-taking-a-few-years-off-from-real-life-before-finding-a-proper-job bent.

That isn't me, but it might be hard to demonstrate that to an interviewer being hardnosed about previous employers, etc.

I would search this, but given that it's information particular to China that I'm after I wouldn't know how to begin. Apologies.

[Non Sequitur]

Do you have an ESL qual - even an online one that you can use to get some class experience at local refugee resettlement programme? Likely to be voluntary - not paid.
Even just volunteer without an ESL qual.
Are you the neighborhood 'go to guy' for maths homework?
That said the further you get away from the bright lights the more the must haves become wish lists.
Anything is better than saying to the interviewer 'you know I have no experience of any kind and I don't know how I'll react to a class of 50 teenagers'.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

The official legal requirement to work as a foreign expert teaching English in China is:


1. Holding a passport from one of the following areas:

United Kingdom
United States
Australia
New Zealand
Ireland
South Africa
Canada

2. Holding a university degree in any field of study from a university in one of the above countries.

3. At least two years' experience teaching English

4. Fitting a certain age requirement which I am not sure about. I believe it is 24 to 60, but don't quote me.


Now, these are the national government's requirements. Provinces and local areas tend to bend the rules (or reinforce them) as they see fit. I have personally met 18 year-old high school dropouts working here on a proper visa. I have also encountered retired couples (or singles) coming out here to teach with no formal teaching experience.

Also, some "rules" are often unsaid. This means the so-called unspoken "white people only" rule which is very common. This could also mean no one over 40, must be tall, must not be overweight, must be good-looking, females only, blue eyes only... etc.

[mieze]

[therock]

When did you graduate?

Most places require either two years teaching experience or two years working experience. Just apply, I have seen jobs in Henan province (a backwater) that ask for a Bachelors, TEFL and 2 years teaching experience, they are not going to get anyone with that and eventually they will have to accept somebody who doesn't have these qualifications or nobody at all.

[mnguy29]

Yes, depends on where you go. If you want a top notch city like I am in then forget it. But, in many other cities they will have to take you if you have a degree and a good looking picture showing a white face. Just try. I worked in some crap cities for a couple years before going to a good one.

[Non Sequitur]

[choudoufu]

[MisterButtkins]

Ehh I have worked throughout the northeast and in my experience 2 years experience is definitely not required here. Last year I worked in Shenyang, which is by no means a backwater, and 3/4 of the teachers I met had no experience prior to moving to China. I can only think of one guy I've met in China who is under 30 and was a teacher before moving here (he worked in Korea previously). Maybe the rule is enforced in some places (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong) but in my experience it is definitely not strictly enforced in most places. Personally I had no teaching experience before moving here, and the majority of other foreigners I know didn't either.

I have seen uni advertisements stating they require at least a masters degree, and that they prefer publications, and they will pay 4800 yuan a month. Yeah, good luck with that. If I remember correctly I actually applied to one of these places two years ago (I don't have a masters degree, and had 1 year experience at the time) and got an offer, though it was too low so I didn't take it. It was a well-known school in Beijing. So they do hire people who don't meet all their requirements.

[Jay-bird]

hey guys! complete newb here & I'm in the same boat. I was hoping my first time teaching could be somewhere in the Yunnan Province (preferably Kunming). I've recently graduated but have no official teaching experience (also no TEFL, CELTA, etc). I had a work-study position in the library for 3 semesters where I would occasionally tutor students but mostly helped them with computer needs. Along with this, I was enrolled in two ESL related courses my last semester. We were required to stand up in front of the class and teach a lesson every week (also attended a few ESL seminars)...anyways, with all of that said I'm just wondering if there are any reputable recruiters I could look at to take me on.

I'm not sure if this is the best place to ask that question but it revolves around my lack of experience so I figured it would be appropriate. Though I do apologize if it's not. I would be incredibly appreciative of any advice or input! PMs welcome

[Non Sequitur]

If you write up that exp in your CV in a positive way than it's certainly do-able.
Just don't be too tied down to location. The fewer upfront conditions you have the better.
We're well in to the uni hiring season so now's the time.