Job Discussion Forums

Jade · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Brisbane, Queensland

Hi everyone I am doing a TESOL course at the moment and will be finished soon and I was hoping to go to China around October or November and I was wondering if anybody new if that is a good time to be able to get jobs or not. I would love know. Thanks guys. Smile

LSP · Joined: 09 May 2004 Posts: 56

July and August seem to be the best times to go because schools start in the fall.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Hopw long do you intend being in China? What kind of job?
Regular public schools want you to begin on 1st of September.
Private schools... well, if they have work, they hire whenever they need someone.
But often, they hire you out to public schools.

august03 · Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 159 Location: Jiangsu, China

I began at my current position in November of last year at a public primary school. It's been great because by signing a 1-year contract I get paid for the summer holidays - 2 whole months!! Plus I get paid extra if I want to do a short summer school. I also got paid for 4 weeks over Spring Festival and of course the May Day break and the October one.

Schools (not language mills) that are looking for people in Oct or Nov are doing so because they were unable to find suitable people for the beginning of the semester in September, or like my school the previous people will be leaving. It's not uncommon, although your choices will be limited, but yes, it's possible. Very Happy

Ruth · Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 105 Location: China

My situation is the same as august03's. My husband and I arrived in Nov. to work at a public senior middle school. Signed a one year contract. The school was desperate for new foreign teachers because our predecessors had left in October (having been here for THEIR one-year contract Oct-Oct). Lots of schools will hire for late January also, that being the end of the Spring Festival holiday and the beginning of a new term.

So, Jade, Oct/Nov may not be the BEST time to get a job, and your choices might be more limited than at other times of the year, but obviously becoming employed then is not impossible.

Jade · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Brisbane, Queensland

Thankyou everyone for your replys it gives me something to think about. I think I'll try to be able to go by september if possible it sounds like the best thing to do. Thank you

nomadic · Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 118

Hi Ruth and august,

If you don't mind my asking, what channels did you use to arrange a job in November? Or did you just show up? And whereabouts in China are you? I had been planning on moving to there in late July/early August, but fate has intervened, and it appears I won't be able to go until November or so.

Previously, I just figured perhaps I'd wait until December and aim for finding a decent job in January, but if opportunities exist in November, I'd be very interested in hearing about them!

Thanks very much for any advice you may have.

Cheers,
- nomadic