Job Discussion Forums

[pennylane]

Hello! I am a newbie to this teaching experience and I am desperate for some help and guidance. Before I ask my questions however, I will give you some details on my background, experience and motivations. (I have been reading a few threads and notice this is all a question that pops up for newbs)

I am 20 years old, female, and a Native English Speaker.

I hold a British (EU) passport but am currently a permanent resident of Australia. I am about to finish my third year of a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Clinical and Neuro) at University of Queensland in Australia!! (I�m deferring for a year to go to China). Unfortunately, due to the annoying circumstance of my degree having a compulsorily fourth year honours component, I will not have (technically) completed my degree in time for my year long trip to China. (a source of great irritation)

HOWEVER! I will have (by the 20th of November!) have completed a TESOL course at the Teach International School in Brisbane. (5 days in class, supervised training; and I think another 60 hours work online)

I have many motivations for wanting to go to China. Firstly, I�ve always been obsessed with modern Chinese History (I have done a few subjects for my electives at Uni) and the history of Chinese Art. I also thoroughly enjoy working with people and would love the chance to work with those from a completely other culture from myself. I feel my three years doing Psychological Science which included many child development and language acquisition (1st and 2nd) subjects would be helpful in a teaching position. I know I probably sound very na�ve about all of this, but I think I am semi prepared for how tedious the teaching could be; when you have done much work experience teaching children with severe autism you develop a knack for patience� I also love art and I paint (for a hobby) and the art scene in China is pretty awesome at the moment!!! However I am freaking out because I have absolutely no real teaching experience!


Ok now I have got that over with, here are my questions: (Apologies if they are annoying but I have read quite a few threads here and have not got satisfactory answers to my questions)

Question for people from Australia � has anyone else done a TESOL cert with the Teach International Company?? Are they any good�I�m just wondering because they are SOO expensive ($1,595 AUS)

1. As a 20 year old female, Is it wise for me to go to China by myself? It�s the only option I have seeing as none of my friends are willing to defer Uni and come with me. I know this sounds pathetic but I have never traveled by myself and I just want to check I don�t end up in a bad situation�

2. As a 20 year old female with no real teaching experience, no degree, and just a TESOL certificate in her favour, are there any real chances of me getting a decent job. I don�t want a lot of money, I don�t need to save and I don�t have any debts back home to pay off. Just a decent post with accommodation included, tv, basic furnishings and enough money to live off and buy the occasional DVD and go on the occasional daytrip in China. I have no problems surviving without Western Food �rice etc is fine with me.
I would REALLY like to get a government post. The pressure that seems to surround the private language schools makes me very nervous. I don�t know whether I would be able to perform to their standards (with having no real experience) and getting sacked after a few weeks would be VERY bad.
I would not like to be posted to a very remote or rural place. To be quite honest I had hopes of going to Beijing � any chance of this? Also, my parents will probably be able to send me about $100.00 (AUS) a month to help out �
Also at the risk of sounding like an absolute girl how�s the fashion shopping over there, any good stores for a 20 year old girl?? Haha�and what about Western literature and music�?

[limits601]

I know from experience that women teachers in China are not treated with much respect. I am a 22 year old guy from Canada and been here one month and my colleague is also from Canada. She�s a 61 yr old retired teacher and the kids respect me a hell of alot more than her. She has a tough time keeping her class under control. Make sure where ever you sign a contract with, have the clause in there that a local teacher will be present in the classroom at all times or you will be nothing accomplished. Hope it helps a bit.

If your cautious like me, bring your own needles and blood work kit. Also, while in Australia, have the Heb A, Hep B, HIV, Syphilis, etc blood work done and bring all the paperwork with you. I totally refused the blood test at the hospital and handed all my papers to them and I made them accept them and they did. Also, know your blood type. I was asked this at the hospital and I didn�t know so I had to make a call to my surgeon to find out.

As for salary, 4000 RMB is good. Good enough to survive on easily. Also, get your flight, apartment and visa costs covered by the school.

[peggiescott]

Penny,

I'm not in a position to give you much specific advice but I do want to counter Jeff's comment that women teachers are not respected here. Please Jeff, disabuse yourself of that idea and accept, instead, that you are probably just the better teacher and the students know it. My classes do respect me and the students are often better behaved in my class than in their "regular" classes. Kindness and understanding (which, Penny, you seem to have plenty of) are not enough to control the classroom.

I respect and admire many of the reasons for your wanting to come here and, although it is clearly not what you want to do, strongly suggest you wait until you have your degree. It will give you leverage to find a position that's right for you and not be at the mercy of the "mills".

Best of luck to you,
Peggie

[WYSIWYG]

I'm kinda curious. Has anyone ever heard of a FT contracting anything from a dirty needle used in a hospital in China?

[earl]

I have just finished that very same course (two weeks ago in bris) and found that it was very informative, met a bunch of cool people (the instructors were great) and had some fun.

As yet i haven't signed any contracts but have had plenty of interest/offers and even a couple of local interviews. As for being a young girl in China (based on my experience as a man in these areas), I wouldn't worry about it unless you are really clueless (it seems as though you aren't - so you will be fine...).

Good luck!!

[go_ABs]

Hi,

My g/f and I did the Teach Int'l course in New Zealand. It sounds just the same, and was also amazingly expensive. However, it was a very good course, and they really cram in the information. It doesn't prepare you for everything, but then nothing can. They give you a huge manual - bring it with you when you come, it's got lots of good ideas in it.

My g/f has not had any problems regarding respect in the classroom. We both teach at a 'language mill', with easy hours and good pay. I have a degree but my g/f does not, therefore I get a little more each month.

You shouldn't have a big problem getting around by yourself, but as a slim blond white person, you're going to get STARED at something chronic, especially if you do end up going outside the big cities. Just be safe, keep out of dark alleys, etc, keep your passport and money away from prying eyes... these are things you'll learn quickly when you travel.

It's cool that your parents are nice enough to keep you in money. BUT: my advice would be the same as Peggie's - wait until you've finished your degree. This will make sure that you get the proper visa without problems. You will be able to get a higher-paying job and won't have to rely on Ma and Pa. And, if you really like it here, you can stay another year without having to keep putting off your final year.

Your reasons for wanting to come to China will still be valid in a year.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

[mandu]

I have a certificate in early childhood care and education.when i 1st started out i went to teach english in japan flights all paid for before i left.then i went to taiwan,everything all paid for before i left,then korea for 9 months,everything paid for.

now Im in china i have been here 4 yrs but apart from my child care exper i have no english teaching cert,and never had any exper when i started out.

i picked up all my exper from the different places i have been to.

i have a friend who had never taught english or anything before,he has been at his kindy for almost 2 yrs.
i teach at a kindy i do 3 classes in the morning 9-10.30 and 2 in the afternoon 3pm 4pm and then finish and my salery is very good.

at 1st my reason for teaching english was to see some different countries.Iam good with kindergarten children,but lack exper with older children,my grammer and spelling are not the best either.
if you do decide to come to china government kindergartens are good to work for as they will get your work permit,z visa,residence permit,and i have worked in 2 government kindys before.

like i said i have not done a tesol course,i was a childcare teacher in new zealand

[voodikon]

to answer some of the questions that haven't been addressed:

[burnsie]

[Roger]

Welcome, Penny!
I admire your frame of mind! Since you have already done some locomotion across continents you will hardly find moving to China insuperable. COme here, get the feel of the country, experience it and continue in your career where you left off.
There won't be much in the way of "arts", though...

As for teaching experience: it's not absolutely necessary, though it is an asset. It's an asset in selecting jobs, and for employers selecting you. But your experience gained anywhere outside of China wouyld hardly stand you in good stead HERE since they have extremely idiosyncratic notions of what teaching is all about...
Frofessionalism is not high on their agenda, and in time this might be your biggest problem.

Imagine why they do hire foreign teachers! If they knew how to teach we wouldn't be in our jobs!

As for your choice of a location - if Peking is your cup of tea, then by all means go there! It shouldn't be too difficult for you to land a position there. Other good places include Shanghai (for many this is far better than Peking), and Guangdong province (many medium to big sized cities with well-to-do populations; also the climate there is more welcoming to those who don't like harsh winters).

Good luck,
Roger

[Roger]

Welcome, Penny!
I admire your frame of mind! Since you have already done some locomotion across continents you will hardly find moving to China insuperable. COme here, get the feel of the country, experience it and continue in your career where you left off.
There won't be much in the way of "arts", though...

As for teaching experience: it's not absolutely necessary, though it is an asset. It's an asset in selecting jobs, and for employers selecting you. But your experience gained anywhere outside of China wouyld hardly stand you in good stead HERE since they have extremely idiosyncratic notions of what teaching is all about...
Frofessionalism is not high on their agenda, and in time this might be your biggest problem.

Imagine why they do hire foreign teachers! If they knew how to teach we wouldn't be in our jobs!

As for your choice of a location - if Peking is your cup of tea, then by all means go there! It shouldn't be too difficult for you to land a position there. Other good places include Shanghai (for many this is far better than Peking), and Guangdong province (many medium to big sized cities with well-to-do populations; also the climate there is more welcoming to those who don't like harsh winters).

Good luck,
Roger

[Sinobear]

You're going about things the wrong way. If your posts here are any indication on how you intend to carry yourself in China...you're in for a rude shock.
Are you going to send that picture, with the accompanying comment, to prospective employers? If not, why did you post it here?
Do you think that the Chinese people would want to rehash their non-positive history?
If you are serious to come here and teach, then that's what you'll do. If you're serious about travelling and documenting converations to further your own studies, while teaching...well, you're in for a rude shock.

Good luck.

[ContemporaryDog]

I really think that teaching children depends more on attitude and confidence than qualifications. Of course, your English should be of a decent standard. Other than that I've come across people with nothing who are great teachers.

There was a guy teaching at the place I did a summer school this year, who was only 19, he'd just finished one year at Uni in the UK and had no TEFL certificate.

My new colleague here in Wuhan, also, has only the TEFL, no degree.

I do think though that if you are teaching adults, some kind of qualification is more important. Adults tend to ask more questions about grammar etc etc, and linguistic knowledge therefore comes into play. Still, doing the TESOL/CELTA will prepare you for that.

As to the points others have made about bieng a woman out here - sure, you have to be careful anywhere, but this will NOT be like being in India or the Middle East!

[Sinobear]

Really guys! Without the picture, this might be a legit post...as is, it's a dog catcher's wet dream (no offence intended, Pennylane).

[2 over lee]

I just can't resist saying that the picture may have been a useful tool in getting all these helpful replies!!!!!.