| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
lemke2020
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 36
|
 Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 4:08 am Post subject: Uni Positions Still Available? |
 |
|
Hello everyone, I've gotten some great advice from some of the members on this board. I have a question I'd like to ask everyone though: Is it too late to get a job at a university? I am particularly interested in working in Zhuhai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen areas I believe. I have a BA, tefl, and 8 years of experience.
Also, I looked at other options, namely institutes, but they don't seem nearly as good of a deal. If it is indeed too late for a university, can anyone recommend a language school that's halfway decent in the areas I mentioned? I responded to an ad at Meten, a business English school, but I read some reviews that basically said to steer clear. I'd like to work 20 hours or less at my 'visa job' and get some privates on the side.
I pray none of the comments above will spawn any hateful reproaches, slander, or ill-will. Thank you citizens of the world. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
vikeologist
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
Posts: 600
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 4:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
It's not too late, but if you get a job in a week's time, it may be a bit of a rush to get your criminal check, invitation letter etc in time for the start of September.
There won't be a lot of Uni jobs out there. I don't know what the percentage of unis that still need teachers will be. I'd guess about 1%. You've also got the problem that even at those Unis that still need teachers, the key staff may all be on holiday at the moment. You have significantly missed the boat for getting a job, but there will be teachers who have dropped out at the last moment somewhere.
Don't restrict yourself to adverts. Get a list of Unis and apply to all of them, sending them copies of your degree / TEFL cert, passport, photo. If you restrict yourself to just the 3 areas you mention, then there's a good chance you won't get anything. You don't have time to apply to a few and then wait and see before casting your net wider. If this is what you want I'd suggest applying for a few hundred Unis in the next couple of days.
Generally speaking using recruiters is a really bad idea, but it could be a good option here. Just bear in mind that there will usually be a reason why there's still vacancies at that uni, and it will probably be bad. You'd be more likely to get an enjoyable job if you waited till next Feb. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lemke2020
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 36
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 5:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thank you Vike. It sounds like pickings are slim. You say February would be a good time to look for uni jobs. Would that be to secure employment for September? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rioux
Joined: 26 Apr 2012
Posts: 880
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Toast
Joined: 08 Jun 2013
Posts: 428
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
| lemke2020 wrote: |
| You say February would be a good time to look for uni jobs. Would that be to secure employment for September? |
He means for a second semester start in February. Those jobs start being listed online around November.
Correct that some schools are still looking for teachers, but in a sense they're kind of the sloppy seconds if you know what I mean...they were either too disorganized to do the process in time, or too undesirable (poor location, low pay, crappy hours, bad reputation etc.) to snag a foreign teacher.
There will be some advertisements around a month from now, even for some good unis/colleges who've had teachers move on / quit / die during the summer vacation, but they'll usually need someone to commence ASAP meaning possibly tourist visa start (risky) or possibly teaching an all freshman schedule as at many schools they tend to start their classes around week 3 or 4 of the semester due to requirements to undertake military training. These guys are often great to teach in that they're still uber-respectful, but in many cases their levels can be appallingly low.
If you don't have any solid leads, already swapping emails back and forth with an FAO you may be relegated to a Feb. start.
Along with Shanghai and Beijing the three cities you listed are basically the holy grail for ESL work in China. Everyone is after those gigs. Don't be too afraid to look further afield - China is developing rapidly, a lot of Tier 2 cities are very clean and modern also these days. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lemke2020
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 36
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
Aha, thanks for that info. I also read some reviews about that link that was posted on this website http://www.tefl.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2328&start=520 It sounds like it's basically 2 hours from civilization. Beggars can't be choosers though.
So, I could start the job search within the next couple of months for unis. You mentioned the areas I am interested in are most people's first choice. Are there any tier-2 cities you'd recommend?
One other thing- is it possible to begin at a language school and then seek employment elsewhere or must the term of employment stated in the contract be completed? Not sure how strict they are about that. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GuestBob
Joined: 18 Jun 2011
Posts: 270
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| lemke2020 wrote: |
| Not sure how strict they are about that. |
Strict enough to make it a bad idea.
How do you think employers feel about employees breaking contracts and forcing them into a hiring cycle in the middle of the teaching year? Not very pleased.
You might be able to find something at a training school for 6 months though. Make sure you insist on a Z Visa if you explore this option as you will have to do an (increasingly difficult) visa run if you aren't legal. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lemke2020
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 36
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Yes, good point Bob. Hmmm, sounds like I should wait a couple months to begin my job search. |
|
| Back to top |
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
