Job Discussion Forums

[ozzydutchy]

Hi,

I'll be moving to China next year with my family and I was thinking of perhaps teaching in Shanghai.

I would only be interested in teaching small groups (4-5 persons). Is this possible? Or are most groups larger? Are the teacher requirements for small groups higher or lower than normal? What's the salary like for teaching small groups?

I'm not a native speaker (dutch) but have lived in english speaking countries a lot, but it may still be an issue...

Any comments on your experiences will be much appreciated. I would also very much like to hear from other 'expat wives/husbnands' to read if they could combine looking after their children with teaching and if they found it rewarding.


sylvia

[Roger]

Sorry to tell you we are teachers (at least the majority), not backpackers. We accept jobs, and our employers define class sizes for us; usually they run into 40 and many more students.
You need a sponsor, a work permit and a resident's permit. All of these are unavaiable for drifters and "freelancers" and other II's.

[dajiang]

Hey ozzydutchy,
Always good to meet fellow Dutchies.

So, you'll be moving in with your whole family, and you'll all have residence permits I'm sure. I don't think you're a backpacker eh, like Roger thought. Don't let him put you off btw, he worries a lot about what's legal and what's not. I'm saying it's good to know about the laws and regulations, but China is also the land of possibilities: everything is possible here.

So don't worry: there'll be a job somewhere. Being non-native is not that much of a problem for us, because we look foreign and our English is pretty good. The only thing is applying by e-mail hardly ever works, unless you don't mention your nationality. Once you're there applying in person however, there is practically never a problem in getting hired. (unless your accent is terrible, which I'm sure it isn't since you've lived abroad for a long time. Australia?)

Class sizes are usually bigger than 4/5, but for small classes you'd better go to private language schools like EF or something, where you'll have up to 15 students in a class (or is it 12?), which is a really good class size btw. Or you can teach privately of course.
The important thing is that you have a BA, then you can try teaching at middle schools and uni's (bigger classes, but it's still fun). I'd say just go for whatever comes your way. Just give it a shot, and if you like it consider getting some TEFL training.

Anyway, I don't know much about salaries in Shanghai, nor do I about expat-wives experiences. I'm sure the other posters will have more for ya on that. Hope everything works our for you in Shanghai.
See you around,

Dajiang

[juliexcz]

For ex-pat wives' experiences in Shanghai, there is an expat social club called the Shanghai Women's Club or something like that. The American Chamber of Commerce website is great for information about different organizations and opportunities. There might be a site for the Dutch community in Shanghai. I volunteered with an student exchange organization called AFS(American Field Service) while in Shanghai and it was a great way to get involved.

As for salaries, for a BA, 4000RMB per month is the average at public univ. Not sure about language schools or small groups. If you have certified teaching experience, you should look at the int'l schools. I know the Shanghai American school pays very well and the teachers' children can go to the school for free starting at age 3. Unfortunately, their teachers' standards are very strict as well.

[ozzydutchy]

Thank you all very much for your replies.

I'm indeed an 'expat wive' (3 not a backpacker so residential permits will be taken care of. I will basicallly be there and all I need to do is find a sponsor (at least that's what I think) I'm not a certified teacher so the only place I would really be comfortable teaching is in language schools.

I always thought that my only chance of work there would be teaching but my husband thinks that there may be other opportunities there.

This may be beyond the scope of this forum but if any 'expat wives' have been able to find other jobs there I would like to hear of your experiences.

sylvia

[lostinshanghai]

Hey, I know a woman who's married to a guy that lives here and is just here to be with him for the year. And, yes, she teaches. Depending on the company, you can have small groups. Roger's right tho! Most times you'll have big classes.

[tw]