Job Discussion Forums

hankpeters · Joined: 03 Dec 2004 Posts: 14

I would like to teach in China this September, and I am looking for a school to teach at. I have a Bachelors of Science in Education and one year of teaching experience at a public school in the U.S. But I am Chinese-American (born in the USA and native English speaking).

My fiance and her family are in China, and I have been thinking about moving... so she can stay close to family in Guangzhou.

Does anyone know of any schools that have hired Asian Americans in the past? The recruiters don't answer my emails. I know that there is discrimination, but I am guessing that there are some Asian Americans teaching in China. Am I right?

NateM · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 358

Yes, there are definately some Asian American teachers here. There is discrimination, and it isn't as easy to land a good job, but it is possible.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

PM me and I will give you an address of an Asian-American who places teachers in North East China....he currently lives in China.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I think I saw a similar post some time ago; you may be the same poster then...
Generally speaking, Chinese judge you by your appearances rather than anything else, but it might still work out for you. Since your fiance is in Guangzhou, I suggest you try Puiching School in Huadu outside of Guangzhou. This is a school that in the past used to hire up to 60 FTs of every conceivable hue and ethnic background.
Where is yaco when we are in need of him?

hankpeters · Joined: 03 Dec 2004 Posts: 14

Thanks for the suggestions. Roger, I have heard of the Puiching School in the past. But they only offer 2500 RMB per month. And they only offer shared on-campus housing, where I would be stuck with a bunch of guys in one room... no room for the future wife. If I have no other choice, I will go with them. But there has to be something better out there.

This is the link that I found for the puiching school.

http://www.puiching.com/teacher/Work&Life/work_description_emp.htm

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

I have worked closely with a couple of agencies in the past and I can confirm how hard it is for certain folks to get a job teaching in China if they belong to a certain ethnic. While I do not condone such practices, I have to admit that they are a reality.

That said, some of the bigger cities will present you with more opportunities, especially in guandong province. Be aware of the fact that you will earn a little less than a caucasian person and learn to deal with it. Don't settle for less than 3500 RMB/month with your own accomodation. The demand is there, just gotta find the right buyer.

good luck

Talkdoc · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 696

clomper · Joined: 07 Oct 2003 Posts: 251 Location: Beijing

I'm teaching here in Zhanjiang, which is 4 to 6 hours by bus to Guangzhou. Zhanjiang Ocean University hired a black American-Indian this term. They also hired an Asian teacher.

If the rumors are correct, two teachers will be leaving at the end of this term and their branch in Chikan still need one more teacher.

My school needs teacher as well and they don't mind if you're Asian-American as long as you're not dark-skinned (they're a bit racist about that).

Claudine

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Bankpeters:
Re: Puiching
You should enquire at that school rather than rely on their web information. To my knowledge, nobody works for that little at their school. I mentioned one poster, yaco who was working there for over one year. He informed me soon after accepting his job that he was getting a lot more than that.

Re Guangdong: It is my impression that this year jobs are a lot harder to find. And yes, you have to ;put up with anti-Chinese bias. The Chinese mind doesn't seem to be able to dissociate ethnic origin with linguistic background. The PR campaigns to hire "native English speakers" to do certain jobs may have contributed to this silly phenomenon. It means that "oral classes" - whatever that means - are given to FTs, and that FTs' quals may be different from the quals of a Chinese teacher.

Anyway, Zhanjiang is 500 kms from Guangzhou; there is an over-night train between these two cities. I wouldn't do the trip by bus, though... I see too many road accidents.
You might look out for jobs in Foshan, Nanhai, Zhaoqing, Conghua, Dongguan, or even Shenzhen and Zhuhai - all within convenient distances from Guangzhou (Foshan is but some 30 kms from downtown GUangzhou, and Shenzhen can be reached by express train in just one hour).

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Bankpeters:
Re: Puiching
You should enquire at that school rather than rely on their web information. To my knowledge, nobody works for that little at their school. I mentioned one poster, yaco who was working there for over one year. He informed me soon after accepting his job that he was getting a lot more than that.

Re Guangdong: It is my impression that this year jobs are a lot harder to find. And yes, you have to ;put up with anti-Chinese bias. The Chinese mind doesn't seem to be able to dissociate ethnic origin with linguistic background. The PR campaigns to hire "native English speakers" to do certain jobs may have contributed to this silly phenomenon. It means that "oral classes" - whatever that means - are given to FTs, and that FTs' quals may be different from the quals of a Chinese teacher.

Anyway, Zhanjiang is 500 kms from Guangzhou; there is an over-night train between these two cities. I wouldn't do the trip by bus, though... I see too many road accidents.
You might look out for jobs in Foshan, Nanhai, Zhaoqing, Conghua, Dongguan, or even Shenzhen and Zhuhai - all within convenient distances from Guangzhou (Foshan is but some 30 kms from downtown GUangzhou, and Shenzhen can be reached by express train in just one hour).

One last option: I met a guy who works for Li Yang's Crazy English; not that I would volunteer to make PR for them... the guy that heads up that outfit is a nationally recognised crook. Anyway, they are constantly hiring Chinese English teachers and pay rather well (I know how much this Chinese chap makes, and believe me, this is an easy way of making money).

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

My little city of 400, 000 must be the most racially diverse per capita in all of China.

We had a white Canadian lady before she left for Cambodia and now a British bloke to take her place. A Chinese man from Singapore who had been here two years. Two black Africans. An American Latino who is now dating one of the locals (ahem, that would be yours truly). Even the Uighars have set up a noodle shop across the street from my school.

Anyway, the point is, yes, there are all sorts of people working in China, even Asians. If you are upfront about it when contacting schools they will let you know right away if that is a problem for them. I believe that Asians may have the hardest time finding jobs here, even harder than blacks (who at least "look foreign," cripes), it's true ...

But once you've found a job, of course you should get by much easier than the rest of us, as most of the negative aspects of being a foreigner (the staring, the mild discrimination, being targeted by the damn beggars) won't apply to you.

Ciara · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:57 am Post subject:

do you speak cantonese?

try www.cheironacademia.com (i think that's right...)

last time they offered me 7000RMB, they teach english to companies etc.

yes, i am chinese canadian, i am workin in shanxi province now and they are looking for a replacement, but they want a couple, and preferably white.

hankpeters · Joined: 03 Dec 2004 Posts: 14

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Clomper: Thanks for the tip about Zhanjiang Ocean University. I'll follow up on that.

Roger: Thanks for the tip about the Puiching School in Huadu. I will call them instead of going by what's on the website. That will also give them a chance to hear my English.

Does anyone know where I can find more info on Li Yang's Crazy English? Does he have a website with hiring info?

Anthyp: Thanks for your tip. Do you work in Jiangxi now?

Ciara: Thanks for the tip about Cheironacademia.com. I'll check it out.

If anyone has additional suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. And if there are any Asian-American or Canadian ESL teachers out there, I would love to talk with you about your experiences.

grizzlies03 · Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 8

Hello

I think it is harder for a Chinese to find work here, but you can still find work. You just need to find the places where it doesnt matter. Im chinese canadian and i found work here in Dalian. Some places will just tell you right away if they want a white foreigner. they say the parents of the students might complain and sue and say the school is lying and tricking them. And i think they will pay you less. good luck.

darkchild · Joined: 30 May 2004 Posts: 47

another Chinese-Canadian over here! :wave:
i knew it would be hard, i'll be joining you guys in China by next week
currently crossing my fingers and still searching! Rolling Eyes