Job Discussion Forums

MrJaredGamble · Joined: 13 Apr 2016 Posts: 19 Location: USA

Alright, folks,

I've been researching, reading forums, watching Youtube videos, and talking to recruiters for three weeks, and I can honestly say that I am more confused about teaching China than I was when I started looking.

I'm an experienced American English teacher with a degree in English, a teaching certificate, 6 years of teaching high school, a couple of published articles, and experience as a university tutor, tutoring both students and faculty. What is the ideal goal for me if I want to teach in China (which type of school), and how do I find a school with an opening?

I'm losing hope here. The discussions of private vs international vs public vs university vs private lessons are endless. The talk of dishonest contracts is endless. The talk of teaching hours and "office hours" is endless.

After reading the China Foreign Teachers Union website and the MiddleKingdom website, I'm so paranoid about getting scammed or lied to by schools that I can hardly find a website or posting that doesn't seem fishy.

Somebody - please help me figure out what I should be looking for and doing.

Thanks,

J

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

MrJaredGamble · Joined: 13 Apr 2016 Posts: 19 Location: USA

Nomad Soul -

I want to teach EFL.

That's the thing - I could teach either adults or children happily. I really could. I love teaching, and if I'm good at anything, it's teaching. So, I want to do whatever is reasonably profitable and not crazy stressful (had enough of that).

jaybet3 · Joined: 15 Dec 2010 Posts: 140 Location: Indonesia

MrJared,

I just went through the process of finding a job in China for the first time. I was also very paranoid about all the negative info I've read about. It was a stressful but exciting process.

My approach was this: First I decided where I wanted to work and did some research. I ruled out the bigger cities and settled on either Chongqing or Chengdu in Western China.

Then I decided I wanted either middle school or University. I was in contact with many agents and only worked with the ones who I thought were professional. In less than a month I had two solid offers.

The most important was talking to teachers who were working at the schools. Both people I talked to answered all my questions and were quite helpful.

I initially decided to go with the middle school, but then changed my mind after the agent came back to me with some ridiculous negative comments from the school. I was always a bit reluctant taking this job because of some things I read on the internet, but I fact checked them by contacting another teacher working for the company and discovered that my suspicions were unwarranted.

Finally, I signed a contract with the University because I thought it would be easier working with adults for my first job in China. The man I talked to at the school said the students were glad to help show the teachers around so I figured a network like that would make the transition easier than working at a middle school and being on my own.

Anyway, you have much better credentials than me so you should have no problem finding a job. Do your homework. Research different cities and speak to teachers at those schools.

Good luck

MrJaredGamble · Joined: 13 Apr 2016 Posts: 19 Location: USA

Thanks so much for responding.

What agents did you work with? I'm in contact with Footprints right now, and they're pushing a job with New Oriental in Beijing, which is where I think I want to go.

I didn't realize I could teach at a University without previous uni experience or a Master's. That could be cool. If you teach at a uni, are you just doing oral English?

Thanks,

J