Job Discussion Forums

David Bowles · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 249

So, after drawing people in with a reference to the pop classics of yesteryear...
I just tried to apply using an online form to teach at a Chinese university (Guangxi Uni to be exact) to be told that the minimum age is 23 (it doesn't help much screaming 'But I'm qualified, damnit!' to a cold uncaring machine, as I've just discovered).
So, my question- how standard is this? And how rigorously is it done? (I'll be 22 in under a month) If it turns out to be a cast-iron requirement of the work visa, I'll probably cry and/or bribe somebody.
Bye, y'all...

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Not standard, you'll find in China, people who work here and very young, very old and in between. You might also find that this uni that you applied to calls you for an interview anyways. Welcome to China! Smile

Ailian · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 192 Location: PRC!

Ludwig · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:40 am Post subject:

How come you have got your degree (a pre-requisite for teaching legally at a university in China now) already?

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

It's not a cast - iron requirement for the Visa. I have mine, and all the little books and certificates as well, and I don't turn 23 until July. The real question is - why do you want to teach at a university if you're only 21? Those kids will have a hard time taking you seriously. Trust me, I'd know. I suppose that's a whole different issue, though.

Giantbudwiser · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 6:33 am Post subject:

I think it depends on how much "guan xi" your school has, The school I work for gave a Z work visa to an 18 year old kid FT

Ludwig · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 7:02 am Post subject:

Well, actually, for Government institutions at least, it is a hard and fast rule now.

David Bowles · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 249

I considered 2 options for lying about how I got my degree:
1. I bought it on the streets of Bangkok (you wan' degree? for friend, very cheap!)
2. I bought it over the internet (get qualified without the expense or time-consuming 'studying'!)
3. I'm some kind of boy genius, like Macauley Culkin except I can't act or foil burglars

But actually I'm in merry old England, where you get your Bachelor's after 3 years of soft graft, which means next month I turn 22 and graduate (in theory). As to whether the kids will treat me seriously- either I could treat them as an equal who happens to speak English and who can teach, or I could just terrify them with my fearsome western beard.

David Bowles · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 249

Oh, and thanks for all the help. I'll see if I can't win them over with my extremely poor (but charmingly peasant-accented) mandarin.

Taiping04 · Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 188 Location: East of Aden

Usually an age restriction comes after someone in a certain age group screwed up at that particular school. Administrators here go for knee-jerk reactions.
I started school when I was 5, and was a fully qualified and working teacher at 22. Isn't everyone?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I graduated high school a year early at age 16 (did 4 years in 3 years), finish a double major degree in 3.5 years (4.5 years in 3.5 years) and graduated early at age 20. It depends on the loopholes, overloading of classes and tons and tons of summer school.

nik_knack0828 · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 109 Location: Chengde, PRC

It's not gov't regulations, just that school.
I'm here with a FE cert, a visa and all that and I celebrated my 20th Birthday yesterday (Happy B-day to me).
I teach 19-23 yr. olds at a little college and I think the students respect me. I am not qualified (have a TESL cert, but no BA) but I work hard and I think I do a very good job.
I think you should be able to sweet talk them pretty easily.

lagerlout2006 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

As for age this school got the docs for a teacher when he was still 17. (sic)

But Colleges seem to ask for certain ages--often 25-55 I see in ads...

Not being rude but how are you qualified for a College in China? In 3 years of teaching and traveling in Asia I think a College class of Chinese might be the most difficult thing to do...Do you have a plan for 4 months of classes? You won't get any help here as to what to teach or how..Will be lucky to have acess to a printer. You can keep the classes light and easy---everyone will be happy but the students won't really improve.

If you go to a Uni a Teachers College might be best...Most students will be Eng majors so at least they willWANT to be in your class..And classes are smaller--at least in the 2 I have dealt with...