Job Discussion Forums

Mysterious Mark · Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Posts: 121

Hello, I'm new here. I'm planning to go to China soon, probably Shanghai, and I intend to find job when I get there. The year of the rooster begins on February 9th, and I've read that the celebrations could last from the 7th to the 16th. How are English schools affected? How will this affect me if I begin a contract in early January? And how difficult will it be to find a position this time of year?

quanxie · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 91 Location: The Sticks

Finding a post in a public school will not be as easy an in a private school. Public schools will begin their Winter holiday at different times between Jan. 10th - Jan 21st. and the new term will begin in late Feb. (my school begins on the 23rd) The private sector will also take a short break usually 1-2 weeks during the spring festival that begins Feb 9th and end 15 days later with the Latern festival.

Anyway, just come and enjoy this big homogenous country many of us call home. Just remember to bring enough money to tide you over just in case you have to wait till March to get paid...

Good Luck,
Phil

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

The boss who hires you in JANUARY would be out of his mind!
He will more likely consider your job application with a view of actually using your services beginning March.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Janurary is by far the slowest month for teaching, contrasted to a semi-peak season now which will be winding down soon. Things also get busy after New Years, but by far the biggest peak of all is during summer.

At any rate, if you want to start a contract, it's best to wait until after the holidays.

Steve

Spiderman Too · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 8:52 am Post subject:

At the government university where I work the last day of term is Friday 28 January 2005, and the first day of the new term is Monday 21 February 2005.

My university recruits foreign teachers for 1 year assignments, beginning in July, so the next 'intake' will be July 2005.

I still keep an eye on the internet jobs boards and there seems to have been a steady trickle of positions advertised from July up to today; both private language schools and public schools.

Mark Beckman · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 1:26 am Post subject:

Guest · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 4:41 am Post subject:

I work in a Private Boarding School - and the holidays commence for us on the 14th January. I believe the Chinese New Year is on the 9th February, so School will recommence 10 days after that i.e. 19th february.

I was under the impression that most Schools would not employ you in January, because they would not need you to teach then, however some Franchises like English First, teach almost right through and do not get the holdiays that we do. We have an EF in our City and those teachers are always complaining about their long hours and lack of holidays.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

So Rhonda, all the kids stay at the school then?

Do they not see their parents?

I'd like to know more about that because it seems to me like it's a "get rid of the kids for a while" kind of deal.

ahopfe · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:30 am Post subject:

I would be surprised to see a school empoly you at the present time , I know I am at a Private School in Zhengzhou and we dont break for Spring Festival untill the 7th of Feburary or around there. then starting back 10 days after New Year

Might be an idea to go through an agency at the present time.

Anthony