Job Discussion Forums

[bugaloo_shrimp]

Hello there!

New to the forums, signed up hoping for some advice! My long-term girlfriend and I are hoping to do some ESL teaching starting from next August. We do not have teaching experience or TEFL training (yet - we of course intend to over the next year). We each have a BA Hons degree, one in History and the other in English. We are both currently 21 and both Caucasian. We do not wish to do ESL teaching as a career move, but we would like to use it as a way to experience another culture and to travel Asia for a year or so.

A few weeks ago we came across the TEIC programme, a programme ran by a retired university professor from Wales - http://www.teic.co.uk/. We emailed him and he responded straight away with full answers to our questions - which we took to be a good sign!

The whole thing just sounds perfect for what we want from our overseas experience, but we wanted to ask whether or not anyone on the forums have taught in China through this programme and could share their experiences. Or if not, if someone had the time, whether or not they'd cast a more experience eye over the website and let us know what they think. It would be very much appreciated

[it'snotmyfault]

All the things they are offering you (for a fee) are things that an employer in China would provide you for free, plus they would give you a higher salary. Just have a look on the jobs boards.
This just seems like one of many outfits that are there to exploit gap year students and people who don't do their research first.

You really don't have to pay anyone to get a TEFL job in China, or anywhere.

[bugaloo_shrimp]

We know there are vacancies available where we don't have to pay anyone for anything, but in our heads we feel the �190 is worth it. With it being our first time doing anything like this overseas, we would appreciate the extra level of support provided with the programme (the english speaking buddy you receive whilst in China, and the help in with applications/cvs/visas etc, especially when it seems hard to get a straight answer when googling these things). We also like the fact they include free online TEFL training before departure, which continues with a 2 week base camp in Beijing where further training is given. Would an employer in China normally provide such things? We were under the impression that they would not.

Furthermore, he said that it would not be a problem to house us together and get us teaching positions at the same school, given that most of the schools they recruit for require two ESL teachers at a time. And again, we also like the fact their posts are in cities as opposed to rural areas, and that they are state schools as opposed to private ones.

[vikeologist]

It's not just what you will pay. You will also be receiving less money than you would get by finding your own post, and doing a recognised, and better, qualification.

It may well be a relatively pleasant experience, (though you should judge that from talking to lots of people who have done the programme, not from their blurb) but the demand for English teachers in China is so high that it would be much better, in lots of ways to avoid it.

I understand your enthusiasm for a gap year adventure type thing, but you have far better options, both for the year, and expanding your opportunities long-term.

Basically this is a recruiter. Avoid recruiters. It's that simple.

[it'snotmyfault]

If you want to work in the public sector have you thought about the JET program in Japan or the EPIK program in Korea?

They'd be more competitive to get on, but I imagine the experience would be more worthwhile. Especially In terms of having something useful on your CV and being able to save some money.

[rogerwilco]

[bugaloo_shrimp]

Thanks for your replies everyone. We have considered EPIK and JET but it seems like we won't be able to do it together - we read on these forums that you have to be married in order to be placed together on EPIK and on the JET website it says there is no guarantee spouses will be placed near each other, and married couples would receive priority over unmarried ones. If we can't at least live together then for us there's no point in doing it. That was one of the things which attracted us to TEIC.

Can anyone offer us some advice on where to look for vacancies for couples jobs? And just any advice in general about doing this together.

[rogerwilco]

It should be easy for the both of you to get a job at the same university.
Many universities prefer hiring couples.

Why ?

Because female Western teachers are still relatively rare in China, and since the male Western teacher is in a relationship the school assumes that he will be better behaved, and also not chasing the students.
Many of the students prefer and ask for female Western teachers.

Another reason is that the school can save on housing and utilities.
Having the two of you in one apartment is cheaper than two teachers in two apartments.

[bugaloo_shrimp]

Would we be able to teach students at university level though? Given that it'll be our first time teaching, and don't have any teaching qualifications (except for some kind of TEFL certificate we'll get in the near future). Have you worked at university in china yourself? If so what were your qualifications/experience when you first started? If you don't mind me asking

[vikeologist]

I'm involved in recruiting teachers for Uni.

There's 2 separate requirements.

a) The Police (usually) require you to have a degree, some kind of teaching qualification and some kind of teaching or tutoring experience. Sometimes they like teachers to be 23 years old, which is something else you may have to be aware of.

b) What the Uni is looking for.

Although we obviously want great teachers, the reality is that we have to look at inexperienced newly qualified teachers. Attitude and personality is important. Also we want to reduce the risk of teachers being unhappy, alcoholic or mentally unbalanced. Thus a couple is actually quite a good option, provided we have 2 spaces available. We're quite happy to take on newly qualified teachers. If they are enthusiastic, friendly and enjoy teaching, Uni is a good place for them, as long as its a supportive environment.

At a Uni you'll have more time to explore the country. Probably easier to get your own job at a Uni than with a Public school.

I'd definitely recomend that you look for a Uni gig.

[bugaloo_shrimp]

That's great advice, thanks a lot! Sorry for my late reply, I've been on holiday!. Where are the best places to look for uni jobs? I presume online, but where? Also, is there a certain TEFL qualification you would recommend to us? We've read that CELTA and TESOL are the 'best' and most recognised by employers, but we won't be able to get the time off work in order to do it - and we wouldn't want to give up our jobs yet at this stage