Job Discussion Forums

[Londinium]

Hi there everyone. This is my first post. I am British, age 28, I have a law degree from King's College London, and am currently teaching in an adult education college in suburban London. I am thinking of taking my CELTA TEFL in Bangkok because it's cheap, a reputable school (International House), and I like the city. Here is the deal:
http://www.cactusteachers.com/course_print.php?course_id=1223&year=2005

It costs �757 for the full time course. I think that includes exam fees. I want to do the 4 week full-time course from 4th July to 29th July 2005.

Once qualified I want to teach in Shanghai. I must be quite specific about Shanghai because I am interested in investing in property there but also having something to do whilst it appreciates. Some questions:

1) I believe the jobs for China recruit twice a year - will I be able to secure a job for a September start even though I finish my CELTA course so late (ie July 29th)?

2) Is a CELTA really needed or preferable anyway?

3) Will I earn less if I am unqualified?

4) How much will I get paid given my experience (three years teaching Key Skills in London) and CELTA? Is Y5000 and apartment too much to expect?

5) How many hours will I have to do? Is 16 hours pw standard?

6) How much can you earn from overtime or private tuition?

7) What's the visa situation for working in China?

8 ) And finally - does anyone know anything about buying property in Shanghai?


Please try and answer anything you can help me with.

[lagerlout2006]

In Shanghai 5000 should be the MINIMUM as opposed to the maximum you will get.

Thats all I could get but the hours are light. There is a lot of competition there--many students and these days a lot of people move there-get their own flat and look for peice work.

As for the CELTA it can't hurt of course but really don't expect it to get you much more money. It can be used when negotiating but not by much. With 2 degrees you have I wouldn't even bother.

And now wait for people to tell you to disregard everything I say---as usual.

[sojourner]

Londinium,

As Lagerlout indicated, there is a LOT of competition for jobs in Shanghai.However, I don't think that he's right when he stated that 5000 RMB per month is the MINIMUM - rather, that would probably be the MAXIMUM, due to the intense competition for jobs. I've heard of cases where people have been offered just under 4000.

I take it that you have your eyes set on college/uni jobs, and not language schools ? For jobs in the tertiary sector, you would need to sell yourself. Don't just express an interest in doing run-of-the-mill Oral English work - with your LLB, you should indicate that you would be willing to teach Business English.

Language schools usually pay more than unis and colleges.But you often have to work split shifts, and sometimes have to deal with overbearing centre managers who think that your teaching approach "isn't interesting enough" ! But with your experience, you might be able to land a job as a D.O.S. in a language school chain. Why not browse the English First (EF) site and see what they have to offer ?

Re private tutoring, the bare minimum would be around 100 RMB. But, even in Shanghai, you won't find too many students who could afford that sort of money for 1-to-1 tutoring - thus, you may have a small group (say, 4), each charging around 25 RMB. Of course, you may find some businessman who may be willing to pay well in excess of 100 RMB for 1-to-1 tuition.

Is it absolutely imperative that you live in Shanghai, itself ? There are some good colleges in places like Hangzhou, a little over 2 hours by bus from Shanghai - but, unfortunately, competition for jobs in Hangzhou is quite keen there, too.

Re property, post a mesage to Dave's China Off-topic Forum - far more "China hands" surf that forum than this one. A few have bought residential properties in Quandong - not sure about Shanghai - but they should give you a few ideas about the bureaucratic hassles involved.

Good luck with your CELTA course. Even though you've had some ESL experience, you should be able to pick up some useful insights from CELTA, such as those relating to classroom management, the teaching of grammar, etc. Also, having done CELTA would convince some of the better colleges/unis that you are, indeed, serious about ESL work.

Start to apply for jobs in June. PM me if you want the name of a conscientious and efficient recruiter. Otherwise, check Dave's jobs vacant forum, or send copies of your CV to a number of unis.

Good luck with your CELTA training.

Peter

[Londinium]

[Londinium]