Job Discussion Forums

[nellychess]

I guess that I was prepared that this could happen, but to say that it's disappointing would be a major understatement.

Maybe there is still a chance, but I don't know.

About me:
15 years tennis teaching experience.
BA in Sociology
USA Citizen no criminal stuff, perfect health check etc.
2 great letters of recommendation

The job seemed great. Big Uni in a smaller city in Henan province. 3 older FT's that were super nice and helping me, and had all been back many years. I figured that shows they are treated well.

Pay was 6k after tax. 19k flight, health ins, and all the general deal, but perfect for a newbie I thought.

I have spent 100 USD on mailing documents, 450 in xray/medical check even with insurance, and have been working with the school for about 11 weeks I think.

Everything seemed to be going perfectly until this step. I'm now told that the Foreign Experts Bureau in Henan says I need 2 years teaching experience, and that my 15 years tennis teaching experience is not enough. The FAO asked me to send teaching experience documents even though they know I don't have them.

Maybe there's still a chance, but it appears to be over. I have a few thousand saved up, and can last pretty well here in the states for a while 'til I figure something else out. I am hoping the Uni will send back my documents, although I have copies.

What do I do now? Should I give up on China? I really wanted to come to China, and thought a University in China was a great, safe starting point for a career in teaching English. I am open to anything at this stage if anyone has any ideas.

Please keep the attacks to a minimum for those who like to attack. I am pretty fragile right now.

Not terribly stressed though because I have money saved, and am staying in a cheap place as long as I need to.

Cheers to all.

[johntpartee]

Is there ANYTHING you can spin into English teaching experience? I'm not telling you to lie, but.........

[nellychess]

I thought the teaching 15 years of tennis teaching would suffice. Yeah, I have nothing else. It seems like it's the luck of the draw who goes over the application, and decides to be a stickler for the rules.

I don't even think the CELTA would have helped in this instance.

[kev7161]

I'm sorry to say, but I agree with the Education Bureau. Teaching tennis is in no way equitable to teaching English as a Foreign Language in a Chinese classroom. Also, a Bachelor of Arts doesn't go a long way in helping you be prepared either. They are getting tougher it seems, but in my opinion, that is a good thing. No offense to the OP, but it's the way I feel.

[nellychess]

[Denim-Maniac]

The chance of this story being BS is quite high I think. Its a little late in the day for university jobs as they should have well and truly started, so I would hazard a guess and say they filled the job with someone else already. And its far easier to say a visa application has been refused than to say a better candidate has applied / a candidate already in China has arrived.

Whilst I tend to agree with kev - I also think university work is the lowest entry point and most in need of 'dancing monkeys', and as a result reckon you are already as well qualified as many / most. I wouldnt believe all university teachers in that province hold verifiable experience. 11 weeks is a long time too ... Again, it sounds to me like they were jerking your chain a little and perhaps you were there best back-up option ... but their other choice(s) came through.

Id apply for other employers ... and test the water with regard to your qualifications and experience.

[A593186]

Two years TEACHING experience is well known as a requirement - both online, in forums, and this forum, in many threads, other people, including me mention how it's required. Why did you never ask this question WAYyyyyy back to your potential recruiters, employers, government, embassy, etc.? See what happens when you just "hope nobody will know the truth" or "just let me skirt by"?

[wangdaning]

The OP has 15 years experience as a tennis instructor. What does that entail, teaching people how to play tennis. Or, put simply teaching.

[theoriginalprankster]

[teenoso]

Don't give up - apply for other posts and see what turns up. Colleges in the smaller cities may have less pull with the PSB or Work Bureau, who then impose stricter rules on them, and that means you lose (in this case).
Try another province.
Henan would never be my first choice.
The fact is , now you have all your ducks lined up, health certificate etc, the visa process should be quick once you find an employer who can accept you.
Tennis is quite popular at college level here , so someone is going to be interested in your experience (I mean as an added bonus to having you teach English).

Timing is the problem now, because Unis are into the 6th week of teaching , so you might need to wait to next semester (March 2014), or you could try outside the college sector.

[nellychess]

[Bud Powell]

Explain that part of your training required analysis of players from the past as well as how the muscles of the body work in concert to allow the player to deliver an accurate return. In addition, you taught the physics of the bouncing ball as well as technique--- all in the class room.

In addition, tell them that you worked with video analysis and /or live demonstration of general technique.

In your defense, tell them that you assumed that they would know that athletic training required class room/non-play time because there is no way to demonstrate how muscles work while the students played.

[Javelin of Radiance]

[damn_my_eyes]

You can always tell the university employed posters, the ones who have spent hours analyzing others posts, cutting and pasting previous quotes, making measured patronizing responses....while sat in their boxer shorts for most of the day.

Nellychess, you could go to Thailand and pick a job up easily. Have a look on the Thai page or on ajarn.com

[Javelin of Radiance]