Job Discussion Forums

[friedrich nietzsche]

Hello Forum,
I am qualified to teach at secondary level in my home country. I also have the basic TEFL qulaification and am currently upgrading to a DELTA. On top of that, I have 5 years of classroom experience, half of which is in an EFL context. My question is whether there are any real jobs at actual schools in China. By a real job, I mean a job where a teacher is treated as a teacher, has the responsibilites of a teacher ,is respected as an educational professional and is paid like one too. By a real school, I mean a school that operates according to the educational standards and practices of the developed world.
I am asking becasue I have already done a spell in China, but I would only consider going back as a professional. It is not my intention to stuff the pockets of some petty despot/school-owner.
Thank you for your time in considering my question.

[nolefan]

international schools might be what you're looking for.

[Roger]

Nolefan said it!

There is hardly any hope for a job from a purely Chinese outfit! The least bad ones may be private or public schools that run a bilingual section where some subjects are taught in English. The problem with their students is they can seldom coped with the requirement that they understand advanced level English. Consequently the frustration of some FTs is high.

Another place you might consider is Hong Kong. IT is China alright, but it is more westernised and professionalised than the mainland is.

[vikdk]

dear Mr. Nietzche -Of course it�s difficult to find a workplace here that would be condoned by any teacher brought up with the ethics of the western education system � just have to glance at the replies above to understand that - but that doesn�t stop you being a good teacher here, a teacher who is willing to try and change things for the better. To do that you have to have attitude � an attitude that antagonizes both employers and many of your fellow teachers � you have to be willing to rock the boat � and be prepared for occasional censorship for talking out of turn. But if you are willing to let your conscious lead rather, than your pocket and wander lust, then maybe you can do something here that you will be latter proud of

[friedrich nietzsche]

Thank you for the replies. It seems that a foreign outfit may be one way to go. I am particularly intruiged by your suggestion, Roger. Hong Kong may offer what I am looking for. This would also have the advantage of not having to put up with too much CPC nonsense.
I also acknowledge that there is truth in what vikdk has to say. One can still try to be professional under trying circumstances. However, I am unsure of my ability to change anything on the mainland. I am also unsure of the ability of those who run mainland schools to change. Why would they? Don't they have it all sewn up? Isn't it more in their interests to continue taking bribes from publishing companies and rich parents? If I am only there for PR purposes, why would they listen to me? Having said that, I sense that you may be speaking from personal experience and I would be interested if you could expand on what you mean. What sort of changes do you mean?
On the issue of money, I would have to say that I do not have some magic figure. I realise that many salaries are somewhat localized. In my previous PRC spell, I made 6000RMB per month for 20 hours per week. This was a damn good salary for where I was and for the hours I put in. I lived well and even managed to save a bit. However, I may be buying a home this time and I know that that's not cheap in China. Therefore, I am looking at a higher salary. On the upside, my wife is Chinese so i will not have to jump through too many regualtory hoops, and I will not be restricted as to which type of property I might choose.

[Super Mario]

Funnily enough I'm also a HS teacher in my home country, with post grad TESOL and considerable years in both ESL/EFL and mainstream English [ie, native speakers mostly].
I personally found my 5 years in China more professionally satisfying than "teaching" the unappreciative, disinterested dross that pose as students in most Australian high schools.
On an 8000 base in China, with an extra 2000 for a Sunday morning class, I was saving more than I can here. Low taxes, free housing and utilities and cheap everything make China an attractive deal if you get it right.
Mind you, I'm back in Oz now at a pretty decent school, so life isn't too bad.

[vikdk]

Of course it�s na�ve to think we can send any huge shock waves through the education system here � but because good professionals are in such short supply � the difference we make is actually appreciated. Good teaching produces good results - even the greediest of employers in the end have to acknowledge that fact � if they have their heads screwed on this can be used to their own marketing advantage �for us it�s something like jumping into bed with the devil. Problem is you have to be careful not to follow all of the devils game � knowing where not to tow the line is the great skill of getting around a job in china. I personally can�t tow the line any more if I smell children�s rights are being infringed � you know, the financial exploitation of small kids in evening and weekend classes. For me � and I hope for many other FT�s - we draw the zero tolerance line in these circumstances

As far a money is concerned � well getting in bed with the devil means that you should be able to spin a situation to your own financial advantage � quality is hard to come by here � while the competition is getting tougher � when the Chinese really want something they have no problem paying whatsoever.

[Roger]

[vikdk]

please read the thread - help with kindergarten - to learn a little bit more about Rogers "opus operandi" as a teacher - I need say no more