Job Discussion Forums

tangelo · Joined: 06 May 2014 Posts: 2

I recently graduated with my BA in Linguistics, and got my TESOL certificate through my university (includes the standard 18 semester credits, 150+ hour supervised practicum, 2+ years experience with a foreign language). I accumulated about two years of part-time teaching experience before graduating.

A good friend of mine teaching English in Nanjing put me in touch with his director, and I sent in my CV and introductory video. I just received an email telling me that because I don't have two years post-grad working experience, I will have to go to Beijing for a one-week TEFL training/certification workshop mandated by the Foreign Expert Bureau. Then I will have to go to Hong Kong to get my Z visa, travel around, and then make it back up to Nanjing.

From what I gather, this isn't about receiving TEFL certification again, this is about getting the Foreign Expert's Certificate in spite of my having recently graduated. It's also going to increase my start-up costs significantly (which she assures me is the what's best for my future career in China - she also promises to reimburse the training fee).

I appreciate her trying to keep things on the up-and-up, and she's right - none of my teaching experience is post-grad - but I have never heard of this being done before. I believe that they may also hire people without TEFL certificates, and send them up to Beijing to make them legit, as well.

Long story short: I'd rather not blow the equivalent of my first months' salary (6000 RMB) or more on this side-trip. I know I shouldn't be too picky because I'm not nearly as qualified or experienced as many of the people on this forum, but I'd like to think I can still find work at a semi-reputable place without this much hassle?

Should I just look elsewhere, or is this something I am going to run into with any (mostly) above-board school?

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

A guy I worked with was sent to Nanjing for the same thing. He had just graduated and had no teaching experience. How he got to China in the first place is baffling. I believe that he had his z-visa, but the work permits (for all FTs at the school) had not been issued.

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

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

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

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

No the Beijing thing is legit. The FEB in Jiangsu will forgo the 2 year experience rule if the teacher takes the TEFL course through the Chinese government. The course was offered before in Shanghai but I think the Beijing one runs much more frequently.

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

davelister · Joined: 15 Jul 2013 Posts: 214

tangelo,

I think you should contact the Shanghai and Beijing TEFL training centres, not to sign up for a TEFL course, but to apply to be a teacher trainer.

tangelo · Joined: 06 May 2014 Posts: 2

Thank you all for your advice and shared skepticism/confusion - I'm glad I'm not the only one finding this zhen mafan. I will keep looking. I've received a couple of other leads through friends and old professors, and this forum's been very helpful for learning how to do my own legwork, too, so I think I'm in good shape. I'll see what pans out.

Also: As Babala said, the government does indeed seem to have set something up to help schools/teachers get around the two-year requirement (at 3000RMB per head). This is the program I was linked to: tefl.chinajob.com (中文： tefl.safea.gov.cn)

Thank you again!

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736