Job Discussion Forums

[Doinel]

First post from someone too new to this enterprise to even be a newbie.

I'm looking for a little advice. I'm a college junior with intermediate (and rising) Putonghua skills. I've spent a summer in Beijing studying the language, and despite the spitting, squat toilets, and blatant selfishness and social inequality... I've got an itch to go back that's turning into an obsession.

Although I've done pretty well in my History and East Asian Studies majors... I'm just now realizing how difficult it will be to find find employment in China without business education or experience.

So now I'm considering the TEFL route, and a few hours on this board have filled me with both abject terror and wild anticipation. My main question is this: Will my Chinese language skills be of any use in gaining employment on the teaching circuit? Is there perhaps a special category of class where knowing and using Mandarin is permitted (maybe with small children?). Is there a pay boost (however minimal involved?). With knowledge of Mandarin, should I be shopping for jobs in another field? What I care about most of all is simply being in China, but I want to make sure that I make the best of the opportunities there.

I also have some experience doing copy editing for university publications. Is there any market for this in China? (The prevalence of Engrish signage suggests there is or there should be, but I really know little about it).

Thanks all you veterans for any help that you can give. You guys must have nerves of steel or serious love for all things Chinese to put up with the negative parts of TEFL in China.

[lagerlout2006]

Here 2 years but don't call me veteran..

I think if you are fluent - very advanced at least in Putonghua would open some doors. Can you read and write? But keep in mind a lot of foreigners are pretty advanced so there would be a lot of competition..

As for teaching I don't think it matters---after all the idea of classes with an FE is they use ONLY English. I have heard that in Taiwan some Mandarin helps in finding jobs...

[no_exit]

I've had schools here tell me that they want to hire me over another applicant because of my Chinese skills.

Being able to speak Chinese especially comes in handy when dealing with the parents and administration. Many of our staff at a previous private language school where I taught could not speak English. We English teachers were also called upon frequently to speak with parents about their child's progress, attitude problems, etc. In the classroom, as little Chinese as possible.

As for other jobs, it really depends on the area. In some places, a foreigner with good Chinese will be a rarity, in other places the competition will be fierce. Some cities will have a greater need for your services, some won't care if you're the next Da Shan, they still won't need you. You should be able to read and write in order to really be marketable as well. I have reasonable Chinese skills and can pick up translation work, but so far it hasn't been consistant enough to give up teaching.

[Roger]

I don't understand why Mandarin skills would be of any advantage in a job such as those reserved for FTs. I really don't get it. You are supposed to prompt your CHinese charges into using YOUR lingo, not using THEIRS.
If you are bilingual then you would potentially fulfill the job description of a Chinese English teacher. I doubt they give you one of their jobs.

But, in this country anything is conceivable; a foreigner with Mandarin communications skills might get a special deal - DOS or Recruiter or Head of the English Department at some university?
Then, there are mags and dailies that recruit bilinguals, sometimes for reporting purposes. But don't get overexcited over the latter - hacks must have a thicker skin that us TEFLers do. They lose their jobs more quickly than us.

[ShapeSphere]

Roger's more cynical than me! That's quite an achievement.

Anyway Doinel, you clearly know about China and are realistic. I've been here 15 months so will give some input. Having Mandarin is a bonus - it's that simple. How cannot having the local language be otherwise?

If you teach kids (I don't - can't stand them) then basic commands and discipline in Mandarin will be useful to you and the school. I know this as friends with good Mandarin are respected and retained by the school.

If you teach university students or adults - then it doesn't matter; I do all my lessons in English. But the students would like you more for having a grasp of their difficult language.

If you want non-teaching work, then that will definitely be possible later when your Mandarin is fluent or near-fluent. I know one acquaintance (Australian) speaks perfect Mandarin and has a great job in IT. Have a good friend (part American/part South African) who has a nice TV job, nice teaching job, nice business opportunities and lots of Chinese friends due to his excellent Mandarin.

This is where the money lies, in working for a multi-national. But it's better to get a job abroad and then get transferred here.

There are many job sites on the 'stickys', but these two seem to have more for 'Chinese' speakers:

http://english.zhaopin.com/ejobseeker/index.jsp

http://www.51job.com/