Job Discussion Forums

geek squad · Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 7 Location: New York

i'm planning on going to china to teach after i graduate this june. ideally, the original plan was to graduate, hang out all summer, say my goodbyes, and then leave for china in august or september so as to start the fall semester.

browsing the job postings, i noticed that there are a LOT of job listings now, in mid-january. and surely, with most schools requiring a year's commitment, one would imagine that if they're all recruiting in january, the pickings will be slim to find a job for the fall semester.

which led me to a question -- does the chinese school year begin in the fall like in the west, or are they on a more calendar-oriented schedule (new terms starting at the new year)? will there be a job market in the fall? should i postpone my trip until next year this time?

also, are there any benefits to starting at certain times of the year, aside from simple job availability factors? i feel that this is something i need to think about now, rather than in july and august when, suddenly, the pool of job offerings has dried up. any advice?

randyj · Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 10:11 pm Post subject:

More jobs will become available in the fall.

lagerlout2006 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

For public school College and some private boarding schools the year is like at home--Sept-June. There is a month long break for Chinese New Year which is starting now. Also big holidays are May 1 and Oct 1. Many sign for one term-5 months so jobs can open for spring term but I guess Sept is still the best time.

As for private language schools they go year-round so could hire anytime. They do not take as many holidays-maybe just a few days at the big holiday times. Is there a best time to start? Some like to sign for a year in February---this can mean having the summer off and---in some cases--be paid for it...If not you will still have housing. Sept makes sense but then you are unemployed in July. At private mills you should get a higher salary--for longer hours -much longer but these can also be dodgy so need to be careful.

Jolly · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

parvati_overdrive · Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 69

When is the best time to start looking for work in the fall? Maybe restated, when will employers start posting jobs and accepting applications? This is really importan tto me because I may not be able to get my documents online till May.

Also, if sending .jpg of passport is required do you think its ok to send/post my current passpost - While I am home I will be getting a new pp (# and photo will change).

THANKS

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

The essential has already been said: the academic school year commences at the beginning of September; some schools do hire at the beginning of the second semester, which commences on 20/21 February, or thereabout (there is a wekend there, but many are supposed to arrive on Friday...).

When do schools hire?
They are in the bad habit of hiring in the last minute, so typically, a public school will recruit new staff on one-year or half-year contracts at the end of August.
Private employers are even worse. Ad hoc decisions abound. They advertise their courses first, then, when enough enrolment has been accepted they begin the hiring process, usually with the effect of having a lot of crossed wires, classes cancelled or teachers deployed to the wrong places.
Good luck!

ahopfe · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 2:09 pm Post subject:

wait untill aleast May and then most of the Jobs will be on offer

but yeah many people come here on 1 year contracts which start in Sept. and end in June

Good luck buddy and welcome to the adventure called Teaching in China