Job Discussion Forums

level · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 34

Sorry, more questions.

My boyfriend did a Post Graduate Certificate of Education. This is a year long teaching course for those who have not done a whole degree in teaching. It is usually focussed on teaching a subject related to your degree to older children (11- 18 y/o). His degree was Philosophy and the main focus of his PGCE was Religious Education. He also taught IT and English.

Is the whole RE thing going to be a problem in China? I know they're not really into teaching Religion and was wondering if they would be nervous of someone who taught RE.

BTW, after his PGCE he never went into teaching, he ended up in IT/banking.

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

I can't see it being a problem. His degree is in Philosophy and that's all they need to know. I have never been asked anything about my degree except that I have one. Here's the thing, don't volunteer what they don't need to know.

level · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 34

Cheers, that's what I was thinking

Alex_P · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:54 am Post subject: Re: Religious Education

level · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 34

Yes, his degree is BA Hons Philosophy. He's not interested in teaching Religion in China, just teaching English.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

My last co-worker graduated from bible school and it clearly showed on his CV and his certificate/diploma. In fact he was a minister as well but that didn't cause any problems for him to get a teaching job in China.

As far as the Chinese are concerned, your boyfriend has a master's degree and that's all that matters.

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

I also graduated from a Christian Uni had a similar concern. This was no problem for me either... in fact my part time employer at a university in Zhejiang really liked that I had a Bible based education. I was surprised too.

Surely they will recognize that you're there to teach English.

clarrie · Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 75

proslytising is illegal in China and regardless of what a person's major is, if they have the intention of 'converting the masses', as it were, they will be breaking the law! I know of people who have been deported for doing so and you see on some job advertisements now little riders like, 'the person should not have an intention of preaching to his/her students.'

This in itself is very interesting of course because it begs the question of how 'believing' a person like this is when they flagrangtly break a law!

Just finished at a school where the bulk of the teachers were clearly on a mission to convert and it was awful!

If only for the sake of one's fellow teachers one should keep their beliefs to themselves!

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

I didn't try to convert anyone. Why would I make the trip over there only to be deported?
I was only noting that an employer claimed to really like the fact that I attended a Christian school.

Regarding the "missionaries"... it may not be a wise idea to go into a place like China with the intention to convert, but the lifestyle will speak for itself both on and off the job.

Chris_Crossley

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

Hey Chris

Missouri's not really southern...

I did notice at a church in Shanghai that a sign was posted outside during the international service that only those with foreign passports and passports issued in Hong Kong and Macau could attend. Others from PRC could only attend the Chinese service. I think the government has a bit of control over what is conducted behind the doors of the church in China. This was hard for me to accept I but I had to anyhow... not my country.

This is very different to where I come from as we have "separation of church and state".
Oops... off topic now.

Anyhow, I agree that most employers in China should not have a problem hiring teachers who've studied religion as a major, nor should they frown on a teacher who clearly comes from a Christian background and agrees to do the job they are hired for-- Teach English.