Job Discussion Forums

GoPies · Joined: 19 Sep 2004 Posts: 589 Location: Melbourne

I am a recently retired Mathematics teacher who has done a TEFL course with the aim of teaching English in China. However I have been offered a job teaching GAC Mathematics (in English) near Beijing.
I am unfamiliar with GAC and can't find much documentation apart from the names of the modules. I gather it is a one year course like Foundation Studies for non-English speakers who wish to study in western universities.
Does anyone out there have GAC experience?

dalong · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 116 Location: China

I, too, have had great trouble obtaining course descriptions (in my case pertaining to computer teaching) beyond the name of the module.

I don't know what kind of job you have been offered, but if you are a retired maths teacher with a TEFL certificate, then you are well qualified for teaching students in their Foundation Course (which is a far better job around here than just teaching English to students who don't want to be there).

I, too, am unfamiliar with GAC, but I was just passed over for a job at an international school (foundation studies) because I didn't have the TEFL/TESOL certificate. If you would like to know more so you can assess your options, I would be happy to provide you with some contact details - you are welcome to send me a personal message.

No, I'm not a recruiter. I just think that someone with your qualifications should not end up with a job teaching English to a bunch of illiterates who have no desire to be better, like most of the foreign teachers here (I don't mean here, at this forum).

Teach at an international school. These students will actually want to learn.

Sorry I couldn't help you out on the GAC bit.

millie · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 413 Location: HK

Were they offering RMB7,000 or 8,000 a month or a similar figure?

If so, do realise the students on this course pay a bundle and you should not accept such an honourium for your considerable experience and abilities.

(GAC has a website - try a google search.)

Good luck
M

GoPies · Joined: 19 Sep 2004 Posts: 589 Location: Melbourne

Dalong - sorry to hear you missed out. I have been offered more than a TEFL teacher, but not as much as an International School teacher. The latter all seem to require IB experience which I don't have. They also recruited from expo's in my home country at the time I was in China doing my TEFL course. And I thought being in situ would be an advantage.
Millie - Google was my first port of call, but GAC has been bought by a US company and their website is under construction. Thanks for the encouragement to seek a fair wage. I guess I have to get a foot in the door and prove myself.

I have been teaching Chinese kids in Oz who are intelligent, hard-working, courteous and appreciative. Reading some posts here is preparing me for a small reality check.

phillipl · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 24

To those interested GAC is now operated by ACT Education Solutions, Limited. Their website is:

http://www.acteducationsolutions.com

Contact details can be found on the website.

There is also a Google's Group Forum for GAC teachers:

[email protected]

Hope this information helps.