Job Discussion Forums

[sparkysadie]

Hello---

This is my first post. I've read a lot on the forums, but still have SO many questions about trying to find a job in China.

So here's my story:

I have a friend in Beijing who told me that it's super easy to find a job their teaching enlish and that I should try it for a while. She say's I'd love Beijing. So, at the moment I'm thinking about landing there at the end of January.

I have a BA in Women's Studies. Not educuation related at all, I know. Also, I don't have any TESL certificate. But, I do have some experience with education, leading workshops and working with kids in general.

My questions:

Should I be madly searching for a job right now? Or might it be better to wait till I arrive? I've read the pros and cons on the forums, but new opinions are always cherished. If the vote is that I look now, any advice? There are SO many websites! Any Beijing-specific anyone knows about? Any specific sites/schools/recruiters you'd recommend?

Also, I am not totally set on staying in Beijing. I'm sure it is amazing and I would love to spend some time there, but if I can get a better quality job in a more beautiful location, I'd take it. Any thoughts on that? What about courses (preferably super inexpensive) in Beijing?

Oh, and what about online TESL courses? I've come to the conclusion through talking to various people and reading the forums here that it really isn't worth it, but if anyone thinks otherwise, I'd love to hear your story.

Thanks for any and all input!

---Sadie

[sojourner]

Sadie,

It would definitely be worthwhile undergoing some TESL training before coming here. Of the various programmes available, consider a course that involves one having to do some practice teaching with actual students (not fellow trainees ! ). The most well-known courses are, of course, CELTA and the Trinity College TESL Certificate.There are others -some might be very good, but unlike CELTA/Trinity, there'll be the problem re lack of brand-name recognition - an important factor, should you be considering remaining in this game for several years, working in a number of countries.

I realise that CELTA/Trinity courses are pretty expensive in the States.Thus, if you intend to travel to this part of the world, consider a 1-month stop-over in Thailand, where CELTA training is (relatively) cheap.

You mentioned something about online courses. Because they lack a practical teaching component, they are usually not recognised by reputable employers. Yes, a good online course might provide you with some good ideas, but you could pick up such info from reading books by Jeremy Harmer and Jim Scrivener. However, if you are adamant in wanting to do an online course, checkout the course run by Jeff Mohammad, who is one of the regular contributors to Dave's Teacher Training Forum. Jeff, himself, is a CELTA trainer, who has had many years of teaching experience. Thus, his online course would probably have far more substance than most other courses. Send Jeff a PM, if interested.

Re finding jobs, you could check Dave's International Jobs Forum. Also, you may wish to submit your resume to Dave's 'Post Your Resume' site (or whatever it's called). Many posters to this forum often warn against dealing with recruiters, and suggest dealing directly with employers.Yes, a lot of recruiters do appear a bit dodgy and incompetent, but some are definitely not. My last two jobs were found for me by a Beijing-based recruiter - so far, I have found her to be both conscientious and effective. PM me if you want her email address.

In China, it's best to work in a college or university - the salaries might be less than what language schools pay, but the hours and vacations are much better. Also, you'll have the opportunity to teach other subjects (eg Western Culture, Business English, Global Business, British/American Literature, etc), as well as the more usual Oral English.

Do a search on some of my previous postings re training, as well as on teaching in China.

I'm currently working at a university, in a backwater in Zhejiang province. The outlying area is bit picturesque, but the town where the uni is located is rather quiet, compared to Beijing ! We just might have some vacancies here for the next term (beginning, I think, in February). If interested, send me a PM.

Good luck.

Peter

[voodikon]

i think you might as well start posting your resume to web sites and seeing what kinds of offers you're getting--you'll probably get a bunch that want you to start right away, but then you'll just have more information for later, when you're actually looking. since you have a friend already in beijing, why not have her keep an eye out for good opportunities for you, and you do your research from the net?

if you're planning to be in china by late january, that's pretty good timing as the second semester will be starting in february. you might want to make sure you have some good contacts by early january, though, as a lot of employers make themselves scarce(ly) available around the time of the chinese new year.

as far as places more beautiful than beijing ... well, that's in the eye of the beholder. if you're talking purely in terms of natural beauty, you'd probably want to head west, toward tibet, i suppose--everything east of that (which, yes, is pretty much the whole of china) has been touched by the dirty hand of pollution. but to be sure, there are various other historically scenic spots to look into. if you're definitely a city person, though, i'd stick to one of the big ones: shanghai, beijing, guangzhou, chengdu, etc.

[tw]