Job Discussion Forums

[getbehindthemule]

Hello everybody,
I have read some really interesting posts and got some valuable information from the few threads that I have read on this site thus far. I have noticed some recent posts about people thinking of changing careers to teach in China so I thought I would share my experience.
I left a technical career in my home country (Ireland) to come to China to teach, having previously worked in both the pharmaceutical and food industries. My last position was as an Operations manager for a food company. Was I sure that it was the right move at the time…hell no! I always wanted to try my hand at teaching so I came here for a year out to be honest. I am now in my second year here and I am so glad that I found the courage to take the plunge.
With no real teaching experience I was a little apprehensive. All I possessed was a TEFL certificate but I had worked in training and have FETAC level instructor skills qualifications. Teaching adults was one thing but moving here to teach little monsters was another! (I absolutely love teaching young students now btw).
I was hired through an education company as a science teacher and work for an international school that has an IB program. But here is the twist, I am based and teach at a public elementary school and I am the only foreign teacher there (it really is a great experience and I get on really well with my Chinese co-workers). I was able to do this because my international school has some input in the management of this ‘experimental’ public school.
I teach 11 x 35 minute classes per week (last year I taught 7 x 35min classes per week, as it was a new school and only had 2 grades). My salary is 13k per month basic with additional monthly rent allowance which covers my rent. The company provides an annual airfare allowance (8k), health cover, etc. I have also been sent on a couple of really good science teaching training courses.
Okay, financially it’s not quite as good as my previous job, but it is enough for me to live a nice stress free life here. I am sure my education company takes a large chunk of my wages but they have been very helpful on a number of issues. Upon arrival they put me up in a hotel, helped me find an apartment, get a phone, internet, open a bank account, advice on transportation, etc. I imagine that these can be pretty daunting tasks for a newbie fresh off the boat.
I know a lot of education companies, recruiters etc, have a bad reputation over here, and rightly so from the stories that I have heard, so maybe I got lucky. I would advise anybody thinking of making the move to research the company thoroughly and ask to be put in contact with one of their international teachers before committing to any contract. Try and speak with a teacher who is teaching at or has taught at the school which you will be based. Even better if you can get in contact with the teacher that you will be replacing if at all possible. (I have met teachers who had right horror stories to tell from their initial teaching placement).
It is all very much relative to the individual but I for one can only encourage people to go for it if they are currently very unhappy in their roles in their home country. I had a very stressful last couple of years in my last job and should have left sooner! Why didn’t I? Well… ‘lucky to have a good job’, ‘other employees being dependant on you’, and lots of other irrelevant crap, basically I had become somewhat institutionalized!
Of course both teaching kids and living in China is challenging and is definitely not for everybody. I guess I am lucky in that I enjoy both. The fact that I really appreciate my freedom, love to travel, etc. and coming from a career where I had a very limited amount of time off, this is a dream (having over three months paid leave annually)! At the moment I really enjoy what I am doing and it doesn’t feel too much like a job. It’s easy to say that there is more to life than money (try telling that to someone struggling to put food on the table) but you cannot buy happiness!
Hopefully this post can be useful to somebody thinking about making a career change.
I think subject teaching through English (primary school) may be a growth area at present in Shanghai at least? In the field of science (general science and physics in particular) anyway, if you have a degree with relevant work experience and a tefl qualification (although I am unsure if this is a requirement in Shanghai at present.). Oops, this is a bit long, apologies, I will leave it here!
P.S.
Are there any members here that are science teachers in China?
I also wonder is it possible to teach science in other countries, Vietnam for example?
I would be interested to hear what more experienced teachers think of my situation and any advice for the future would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!

[schwa]

User name checks out. I listened to Mule Variations constantly & that album precisely encouraged me as I pondered moving to Asia.

That was 1999, I was 46 & in a dead end career, hadnt taught before & had no idea if I was suited to it. Found my calling (in Korea not China, & elsewhere now, but same diff) & I'm content.

But dont get ahead of the mule. You've been here a short time & have evidently lucked into a soft position. Seems like you've got a bit of karma working for you. Teaching can certainly be fun but should never feel "easy." You need to keep improving & upgrading to achieve anything.

No idea how old you are but heres some other important things to consider. Want to raise a family? Its going to be tough as an EFL teacher as conditions are deteriorating everywhere. Save for retirement? Ditto.

Still theres the possibility you can really distinguish yourself & succeed at this longterm. I wish that to anyone so inclined.

[getbehindthemule]

Hi Schwa,
Haha, Tom is probably my favourite artist
Thanks for the reply and yes I do feel lucky falling into this job but I do love teaching and feel that I am improving at it all the time. Like your good self I think I may have found my calling too!
I don't think it is easy but compared to my last job it is stress free. I do find it challenging, but rewarding and enjoyable also!
You are right about raising a family. I have just turned 36 so it is definitely something for me to think about for sure. I also need to think a bit more long-term for sure but I don't have a mortgage or debts back home so that is something I guess.
Well done yourself for making such a move and I hope you remain content for many years to come.
Thanks again for the sound advice and encouragement.
Cheers

[Hermosillo]

[getbehindthemule]

11, 35 minute classes? Very light load. I've seen union contracts in the US, that call for 280 minutes per day. That would mean 40 x 35 minute classes per week. Enjoy it. For an extra thousand USD per month, you might feel more like you are being worked to death. If you could put 250 USD per month in some good dividend paying stocks, and reinvest the dividends; you could be set for retirement. If your apartment is OK, and paperwork is good; I would stay put. You could get a job in an EP in Thailand or Vietnam, but you would be looking at 20 x 50 minute classes for half the pay in Thailand, and they won't hesitate to request your presence on week-ends, Summer camps, sports days, etc...[/quote]


Yes, I realise my workload is very light but because I am currently based at a public school I still have to be around a lot of the time when I don't have class. But with every weekend off and the bones of 4 months paid leave annually I can't really complain about my first teaching position here (I did land on my feet).
My apartment is fine and the school renewed my residence permit for my second year so I had to do nothing bar handover my passport.
I will have to think long and hard about what I will do when this school year ends. I might do another year here. The pay is pretty low in Thailand but I have heard there are some very well paid positions in Vietnam?