Job Discussion Forums

[Xanthos]

Hello, I have a question if anyone would be willing to help my girlfriend and myself who are intending to arrive in China for the Spring term next year.

I have a TEFL qualificationand a BA degree, while my girlfriend has a TEFL qualification and a certificate for attending 2 yrs of a Music Degree from Goldsmiths University of London (she had to drop out due to her father being ill). She has been teaching music to for 3 years and I have been training people within the organisation where I work.

What do you think our chances are of being able to secure Z Visas before arriving in China?

A few organisations have expressed an interest in us but I am worried that my girlfriend will have to sign a contract stating that she has a full degree.

I have a friend who is currently teaching in Harbin who says it is relatively easy to get a Z Visa without a degree, but maybe this depends on the province? If this is the case, in which provinces do people know it would be easier in? We have our hearts set on going to Xian....

Please could someone help?

[tw]

If you had done a thorough search on this topic and read some of the sticky threads you would have found that this question has been asked so many times most users just don't bother answering new enquiries anymore.

Bottom line: type of employer, location of the employer, and how much guanxi (networking, connections) the employer has with the Public Security Bureau (the cops) to be able to get your girlfriend the necessary documents to get her Z visa.

[Xanthos]

Thanks very much for this tw, yes I had looked around quite a bit on this forum but there's only so much reading a person can do before they think they may be wasting their time.

Could you possibly point me in the direction of a thread which highlights some of the locations in China where people have had success with obtaining Z Permits without full Degree qualifications?

If these threads are hard to find or do not exist, could anyone suggest areas where they have had success? Any positive experiences in Xian with regards to obtaining a Z Permit?

I would be very grateful for any responses.

[Don McChesney]

Henan.
Some don't have degrees, but any paperwork helps.
It really depends on what your friend can teach, accent, appearance, and age versus what the school wants from you.
Accomodation may be a problem if the school provides it.

[Babala]

I would just state the fact that your girlfriend doesn't have her degree when applying to schools. Some schools may be able to get her a z visa (depending on area in China and school's guanxi). I wouldn't advise the bigger more popular cities though, smaller less developed areas may be best.

[Xanthos]

Thanks a lot for all this advice, it has really helped. Just one more question:

I have seen it stated several times on this forum that it is better to approach the schools direct rather than go through an 'agency'.

How can one approach the schools direct from in the UK? Is there a particular website dedicated to this?

Many thanks!

[mavazah]

Try www.chinatefl.com I got my current Uni job through this site. Like anywhere, recruiters may advertise on it, but mostly schools (both public and private) and Unis and Colleges advertise directly. The benefits to dealing directly with a school are that you have a chance to check them out and if any contract issues arise you have no 'middleperson' to go through. All the best.

[Xanthos]

Thanks once again, I will try try www.chinatefl.com.

[tw]

The best thing to do is to apply to any and all employers, no matter where they may be l;ocated, and no matter whether they are public or private. Then, cross your fingers and hope that (1) the province is willing to give work permit for people without a degree and/or (2) the employer has enough guanxi.

Here are other web sites that you can contact employers directly:

www.eslweekly.com/id105.html

www.teachcn.com/school/Liaoning/index.asp

www.tefl.cc/teachinchina.htm (Yes I am fully aware of the fact that it is the Frank Zhong/Zhang AKA Alan/Alin Buuer's web site so no flames please and it does have legitimate e-mail addresses, i.e. ones that belong to the employer's own domain name)

www.chinajob.com/individual/my_teacherlist.php

www.abroadchina.org

[SimonM]

Yo Xanthos!

Try my school. I know we are in the market for another FT. My school would probably take a couple if one of you has a BA. Currently there are two ESL teachers here.

We are in Lishi, Shanxi. It's about a 1 day trip to get to Xi'an.

[Xanthos]

Cheers TW, I really like TeachCN.com, preferred it to ChinaTEFL.com!

I will seriously look into it Simon, how do I get in contact with the right person (PM me if you need to).

I am really into my martial arts too. I have an excellent Tiquan/Tai chi teacher at present, it will be a shame to leave him!