Job Discussion Forums

[wuda]

Hi everyone!

I'm a UC Berkeley engineering graduate who is seeking to teach English in Shanghai for a few months this winter/next spring.

I'd truly appreciate any leads on finding programs .. all the ones I've found so far require either 6 months or a full year commitment.

Thank you ever so much!!

~ Dana

[wonderd]

You're not going to have an easy time with this, but maybe I can help a little.

1. The reason they want you for six months to a year is that most places you teach English in Shanghai are schools. Not many schools want a teacher for half a term.

2. A working Visa is usually valid for a year, so most places would want you for the time of your visa.

BUT... here's where it gets tricky, and I might be wrong on this, but I do have a vague understanding. A visitor visa can be good for up to 90 days. When I first came to Shanghai, it was in a rush, so I had to have a visitor visa while we waited for the work visa to be processed. It was only good for 30 days. But I have seen people with 90 day Visas.

Also, I believe there are ways to extend your visitor visa when you are here. Actually, I'm sure of it, because they told me at the Chinese consulate in Canada I could do that.

Now technically you're not supposed to work with a visitor visa, but if you find yourself some under the table work, I think maybe you could teach here for only a few months.

Best suggestion would be to come here. But, be prepared for dissappointment since you're not willing to work standard contract time.

I know, not really specific, heart warming info, but its the only way I could think to do this. Maybe someone else has a better suggestion.

[Roger]

What makes you think an engineer can teach English?

[Susie]

Wonderd's advice is for you to work illegally, why don't you ask him/her about the consequences of taking that avenue.

[wonderd]

Susie; true enough. My suggestion was a bad one.

I guess what I was really trying to say is that unless you're willing to take that chance, then the answer is "No" there probably is no way to come here and teach for a few months.

If you were a teacher in your home country, you might be able to do an exchange.

Yeah, Susie's right. Not wise to break the law in any country, especially one you're not from.

[Jolly]

You could lie of course, because plenty of "teachers" do that. BUT please don't do that.

Thank you.

[tw]

[Midlothian Mapleheart]

Edited to remove offensive content.

Middy