Job Discussion Forums

[nolefan]

I am the first one to be aware that I am still somewhat of a newbie despite being in China for 7 months now. During this short time, I have noticed a big shift in the available supply of "foreign experts".

Back in February, there were quite a bit of folks looking into China as a viable option for ESL in Asia. I remember signing up on the forums and reading all the questions from the newbies (myself included) and thinking that there must be a good reason why so many people were interested in coming over here. There was even talk for a bit of the number of opportunities going down and that it would be harder to get a decent job soon.

Fast forward to September, it seems as though there are less newbies wondering around here. Most of the recruiters I know off have a hard time finding enough teachers to fulfill the current levels of demand. They have noticed that on average, the number of applications has gone down by 30%. The schools in my town are still scrambling around two weeks into the semester to fill the vacancies they have.......

It's an interesting turnaround, wouldn't you say? The funny part is that even with a supply/demand ratio not in their favors, the schools are still trying hard to drive DOWN the FE salaries...

[struelle]

Yeah it's quite a mystery all right. I've noticed the same thing, and also it's quite hard to predict how the TEFL scene will go in China. One consistency though, is that turnover remains quite high as a number of teachers come and go. There are two common factors at work here, one is teachers who do a year or two and move on, the other is employers who sign out contracts for that same short-term duration.

Steve

[lagerlout2006]

There seems to be no logic to this...Last Spring Sars was at it's peak and there were travel advisories against China. So you would think schools would be desperate for teachers? WRONG. The school I was at-a decent College-were actually swamped with applications and they gave the teachers a hard time about renewing. I can't say about this year---I was never really looking for work. Where I am now they have all the teachers they need...On the other hand they wouldn't let me out of the contract saying it was too late to find someone else.

I do think (this is a touchy subject) they would rather have more teachers from the "correct" countries. And this may be area-specific. But again I don't know for certain. I'll find out in Jan when I will need a job.

[nomadic]

This is welcome news to me - I had been expecting to land in Shanghai in August, but some responsibilities from my job back in the US have kept me here a little late. I was worried that arriving for the 2nd semester would make it extremely difficult to find a good job, but perhaps that's a foolish fear to have?

Cheers,
- Nomadic

[kev7161]

This year, we have teachers from Africa, Trindad/Tobago, one of the Scandinavian countries, and a few other places where I can't remember. I'm the only one from the USA as far as I know. So, the traditional countries don't seem to be an issue here this time around. We are still short of their goal of 14 teachers this year.

[lagerlout2006]

Nomadic---I always say the 2nd term is better than September for finding work. Also good if you are staying a year..You will have housing for the summer and will in some cases a salary.

[Roger]

There is not shortage of backpacker teachers here in the SOuth, though; if you post your CV you stand to get far fewer job offers than at any time before 203.

Teacher shortage? Don't make yourself a laughing stock! Maybe in the more rural parts of China they are replicating the problems the more advanced parts of CHina experienced over the past ten years; the market will soon be swamped. Look at your students - more minors, fewer and fewer adults. And public schools mustn't hire direct. Thus we have to slave our time away for agents. No thanks!