Job Discussion Forums

ottawaguy · Joined: 07 Mar 2014 Posts: 3

Hello all! First post on the message boards, many more to come I'm sure. So after doing a lot of reading and researching I think I've settled on Shenzhen as my most desired location for my teaching English experience next September. The combination of warmer climate, lower pollution over many other major cities, the proximity to HK and GZ, and the ability to have a certain quality of life and comforts has won me over.

I have many questions still unanswered but here a few major ones I'm hoping to get some insight on.

My experience: 4 year degree in psychology. 3 years experience working in social work with children and families. No teaching experience per se but definitely lots of related experience ( facilitating groups, group home work etc..) and love kids.

I would like to teach mostly middle school children. I'd be ok with a bit younger, but would not want to teach kindergarten kids and would prefer not to teach in high schools either. What would you recommend as the type of school with this age range. I'm hoping to have reasonable work hours and weekends off. Does anyone have specific schools they would recommend?

I'm a fairly sociable person and would like to live with 2 or 3 other teachers or foreigners. Would I be best to have the school provide me with housing and pick my roommates, or would it be feasible to get housing allowance and find my own place/roommates if I'm arranging this from here in Canada?

Should I use a company or are the best deals kept for those who do the extra leg work and contact schools directly? Salary is important but more important to me is the experience, both at the school and outside of the school.

Any other insight from those who have taught in Shenzhen would be greatly appreciated!

Eric

doogsville · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 924 Location: China

Simon in Suzhou · Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Posts: 404 Location: GZ

If you are coming to Shenzhen for lower pollution levels, you've been misinformed. Maybe lower than Beijing, but smog and a deep haze pretty much hangs over the city continually these days.

Other than that, Shenzhen is a decent modern city. Not much culture to speak of as it was rice paddies 25 years ago. Good location. Easy access to HK. Warmer weather. BIG ESL job market. You should be able to find what you're looking for and teaching kids your salary should be above 10,000 RMB/month for a full-time job. Make sure there is a housing allowance or an apartment provided as Shenzhen rent can be pricey. Forg4t the roommate idea. Maybe after you've been here a year and you have friends you want to shack up with...but strangers? Too many weirdos out here. You'll regret it.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

ottawaguy · Joined: 07 Mar 2014 Posts: 3

Thank you for your quick replies. You definitely hit the nail on the head, I'm basing a lot of my ideas on my experiences here, after all I've never lived abroad. I've visited China but I know it's not the same. I'll have to put some serious thought into living arrangements. I dont know if I will stay more than a year (could happen but not my plan), so i may not have the chance to live out that scenario. I'd be curious to hear if anyone has more positive roommate experiences. I have a friend living in Shanghai that ended up in a house with 4 roommates (all strangers previously) and has become great friends with them, so I know this is possible, if unlikely.

As for teaching children, I enjoy kids and their sense of humor and goofiness. That said, if its all goofiness and no eagerness to learn, that would get old quick. I'm open to teaching older kids as i said. I do think I would enjoy teaching adults quite as much. I will be sure to ask any potential school to speak to a teacher.

If anyone has any more input I would love to hear it, I know that experiences vary greatly from person to person.

davelister · Joined: 15 Jul 2013 Posts: 214

ottawaguy · Joined: 07 Mar 2014 Posts: 3

Thanks dave, I know Shenzhen is not a cultural city, but HK and GZ are a short train ride away. Ill be doing lots of weekend trips to get my cultural fix I'm sure. Glad to hear your roommatr experience was more positive. Ill try to find an arrangement where i can at least skype with the roommates before moving in. Would you recommend having signed a lease on a place before getting there or can that be arranged once there. Might mean id have to live in a hotel for a week.

davelister · Joined: 15 Jul 2013 Posts: 214

When you're in Sz, arrange viewing (a) place(s) and if suitable (location, cost, the potential roommate isn't both drooling and barking) then sign the lease and pay the deposit. A half-decent hotel will not cost the Earth for a week or two. There's a site, which may or may not be of use / interest to you: shenzhenparty.com

surendra · Joined: 09 Feb 2012 Posts: 82

Hey all,
I have been offered a public school job in Shenzhen but still on the fence. I am worried that I might not be able to make friends. I am not the type of person to go out and party solo (aka creeper) but I like people to associate with and don't really see this happening unless I get an orientation with other foreign teachers.

Am I over thinking things?

Thanks in advance.