Job Discussion Forums

[domjohnson]

Hi there,
I'm currently planning my post-sixth form gap year (which means I'll be 18/19 when I plan to go) and would love to go to China to teach English. However, I am not sure I could commit to a whole year abroad, and so am hoping for shorter-term contracts - between 4 and 6 months.

At the moment, I'm considering undertaking the internship offered by teflinternships.com, which is around 4 months, but I'm not sure if this is the best route to go down - I don't know for sure whereabouts in China I'll be and I'm a little weary of the amount of money put down straight away. So I'm now thinking that I could perhaps take the TEFL qualification and then try and land a short contract in China.

So my question is - is this possible to do? Would it be difficult, especially given my lack of degree, experience, and my age? I'd hate for me to invest the time and money into the qualification to find that I'm unable to actually go.

[wangdaning]

Very slim chance of this happening.

1) You have no degree, which makes it more difficult, and against employment immigration rules
2) Your age, which makes it more difficult, and against employment immigration rules
3) You want a short term contract, which is not very common. The employer has to shell out money to get you hear, so are unlikely to hire short term when they could find someone for a year

Most offers you would end up getting would be for illegal employment.

[Denim-Maniac]

Legally you arent going to be qualified to work in China. Age and lack of completed university degree (as well as two years work experience) are the hurdles you probably wont be able to overcome.

Internship and volunteer programs are probably the way to go ... but it isnt always essential to pay for placements on programs like those. There are sometimes freebie alternatives that might be available. You may also find that you could book a 'learn Chinese' course for the same price as a paid internship which is another way of spending time in China legally.

We offer both at my place. http://www.omeida.org/ If you look at the website, and click the available job openings, you will see the volunteer option. There is no fee, and up to 10 hours volunteering a week (normally done as 1-1 sessions with our VIP students, generally less than 10 hours per week) in return for free board, food and utilities. The vast majority of the students are adults ... so they might be keener on older volunteers ... but if you have a mature approach and take it semi-seriously you might well be OK.

[Mr. Leafy]

[Denim-Maniac]

I have used a gap year provider before: real gap / gap year for adults. They were my introduction to travelling really and I did a stint in Africa and later, a trip to China with them. The disadvantage is that they charge a lot of money for something that generally doesnt need to be paid for if you have contacts, and they offer very little service once you are in-country. Orientation is normally provided locally with little quality control etc.

The price is often a bit of a con. On my China trip several people booked for 3 months ... many booked for longer, up to 9 months. The school we were placed at didnt see any of that money and let the 3 month volunteers stay for extra months at no cost, as long as they continued to volunteer. The 9 month volunteers paid a lot more money for nothing really.

The big advantage for someone so young is the likelihood of sharing your 'adventure' with other like minded individuals. That might be key of course.

[A593186]

What, is "gap year" the self-denial term for can't get a job in my own country? I've heard the term used for 10 years, before that it was called, "backpack across Europe."

OP, you don't qualify for employment in China. Don't waste time, effort, money, or anything else on it. How many foreigners don't meet the immigration requirements in your home country and yet still come and get legal jobs? Don't consider coming to China, you don't meet the necessary requirements.

[Mr. Leafy]

[domjohnson]

[domjohnson]

And thanks to those of you who've provided useful information rather than just flaming me because I don't feel any obligation to go straight into higher education after finishing A Levels.

It sounds like the internship is probably the best idea.

[twilothunder]

[domjohnson]

[Denim-Maniac]

[choudoufu]

[domjohnson]