Job Discussion Forums

[MDaisley]

I have an English Language degree, and I finished my CELTA at Bell International at the end of November, but, unfortunately, getting even cover work in the UK at the moment without any experience is somewhat like the Burly Brawl fight sequence in Matrix Reloaded. Which is unfortunate, because I don't know Kung Fu. Or how to fly.

So, that being the case, I was wondering if I can openly state that I have no experience when looking for jobs in China, or if that will just close every door for me. It's not a matter of losing some money over it, I'm fine taking lesser pay, I just don't want to accidentally close myself off from a lot of opportunities that would have been perfect, because you're not meant to say you have no experience even though it's obvious.

I'd love to hear any other advice of zero experience starts in China as well. I was hoping to look for jobs that leaned more towards 'perks' other than sheer salary for my first year, just to remove worries and make it easier to settle in a bit, like provided accommodation, and things that would mean more to me than a bit more money, like free Mandarin classes. Hopefully this isn't a terrible idea that goes somewhere in the list of Teaching In China Advice I already have from others I've met while doing my CELTA. This is the somewhat tongue-in-cheek list so far:

1. Don't go to Shanghai.
2. Memorise where all the department stores are, because that's where all the toilets acceptable for Western sensibilities are. Or just never poop outside your own house ever again. EVER. AGAIN.
3. Don't go to Shanghai.
4. I hope you enjoyed using this IWB during your CELTA, you will never see one ever again.
5. Don't go to Shanghai.
6. Maybe consider not going to Beijing, it depends.
7. Don't go to Shanghai.

Yes, I have been looking things up and researching, but trying to move to the other side of the planet on your own to teach and live in an alien culture while not knowing the language, is kinda scary even if it's something you want to do....so this is also partly an 'asking for the sake of reassurance' thread.

[Aristede]

[MDaisley]

[wangdaning]

[Aristede]

[jimpellow]

As for the experience, you as of this year need to have two years of relevant experience which is proven through dated letters of recommendation. This rule has been becoming more and more widespread and enforced.

For some jurisdiction, the two year rule will be waved if you attend a TEFL in China at your expense. Your superior CELTA does not count. A couple people on this board reported that the school was able to go through a process to get this requirement waived for the teacher. It seemed that there was no guarantee for success. Moreover, the request for an exemption was made only after all the other visa requirements were completed and paid for by the school and teacher. Hence, you would be putting a lot on the line in terms of time and expense beforehand.

China used to be the place to start an ESL career, but this has changed rapidly.

This recent article does a fairly good job explaining why...

http://www.echinacities.com/expat-corner/The-Great-Laowai-Exodus-Why-Foreigners-Are-Leaving-China

May want to try elsewhere. Or live in an inexpensive country that has good Internet and build up your resume through online teaching opportunities and privates with locals.

Best of luck!

[jagb6f]

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents here.

I've just finished my first year in China, and I honestly think that you won't have too many problems. I went to China with a standard TEFL cert(the CELTA is considered much better) and I found a job at a training center really quickly.

A lot of people on this board don't like training centers, but they've been pretty nice to me and it's nice to have a large group of people working to make sure I find an apartment, get the in-china TEFL cert I also needed(completely reimbursed for it) and everything else.

For a newbie, I honestly do think a training center is the way to go. The schedule isn't great, 1-9 usually, but the money is pretty damn good and they've really helped me out with everything else for getting started here.

I definitely don't want to spend another year at a training center, but it's a good starting point for me and for anyone else who's new.

Feel free to ask me any questions you'd like!

[Elicit]

^ ^ Yep, what the above poster says for me.

The one city you don't want to be in, just might be the one place you're most likely to get legal status. I saw a Wall Street ad recently which states no experience for Shanghai or Beijing: can't remember which tbh.

Flight paid and lots of material and teachers to help you along as well as useful professional development (possibly) in the first year or 2. Can't be too prescriptive about your first destination or you'll miss out on a better starter job.

I'd contact the infamous EF if kids are for you and Wall Street if they're not.

[3701 W.119th]

I just got back from a week-long holiday in Shanghai - having lived and worked there for 8 weeks in 2014 - and I can say it's easily my favourite city in China. If I was ever serious about settling in China, it would be one of the only places I would consider, and it would be top of the list. All the things that annoy me at times in China are dialed way down there, I don't feel like a freak when I walk down the street, and the little things I miss about home are all readily available. Getting back to Zhengzhou railway station yesterday (a provincial capital!), within 10 minutes I was quickly reminded just how different things are here where I am. Different worlds.

I got my first job in China (training centre), having just finished my CELTA, with no teaching experience. All they want is a signed reference on letter-headed paper that contains the words '2 years experience', and either 'teaching' or 'coaching' or 'training' or 'mentoring', or whatever (my old boss wrote me one). I doubt they even read it, it's to tick a box.

Choosing one of the big chain centres is a good way to get your foot in the door in China. Do your time, then move on to better things after your 12 months is up.

[jimpellow]

I am curious if the poster wants to go to China, or if he wants to go to China as that has been the traditional land for the ESL newbie?

If the first, I would work on seeing how and where you can get around the rule as a couple posters stated above. I had sort of assumed the second. If the second, I would pull out a globe and realize the world is a big place with a lot more opportunities than the China littered job boards suggest.

[CNexpatesl]

Employers/schools have become very arrogant and picky in Shanghai due to the volume of foreigners here. They know they can replace you in a heart beat. You make one mistake or lose them a client, and your ass is gone. That's why people recommend against working in Shanghai as a newbie teacher.

Now, Beijing (somewhat), Shenzhen, Guangzhou are a different story.

[thechangling]

[3701 W.119th]

[3701 W.119th]

I was talking about centrally-run schools of the big chains, namely EF. A brand name is nothing, especially in China. Even the centrally run centres might well have awful people managing them.

If you get a job through EF central online recruiting website, you will go through the interview process, and Z-Visa, and take off from your home country with ease. The recruitment agent I had in 2014 (who's since become a friend) was a superb help throughout.

Choose your city, get a job. They will walk a noob through every step.

I really disliked the schedule. I also have some problems with the people they will employ (but they employed me, with no 'teaching' experience, so I'm part of the problem).

[Aristede]