Job Discussion Forums

[footsteps]

What happened to my thread enquiring about teachers' experiences in Kunming ??

I was asking if anyone had taught there and had comments to offer.

I also asked if anyone had worked at Yunnan University or Kunming University of Science and Technology.

Please post here if you have comments ON THIS TOPIC.

[filiusterrae]

I'd also love to hear about this. I plan to be moving to kunming later this year.

as I understand it, visa requirements and so forth vary a fair amount from province to province - can anybody provide info about Yunnan?

thanx

[footsteps]

You had my hopes up for a minute, there, filiusterrae.

There is apparently a provincial cone of silence over Yunnan.

That or there's no internet.

[filiusterrae]

oh yeah, could anybody supply a list of schools in kunming - that would also be helpful. thanx.

[Louras]

Stop asking stupid questions. Come to Kunming and find out for yourself. Don't be a pissy, wuss and all related silly things.

[Spiderman Too]

[tw]

[Kurochan]

To give a civil reply, but not one that really gives you the info. you are looking for, let me say that I returned to Kunming this holiday after a five year absence, and it was so changed I didn't recognize anything there. It's developed really fast.

I think it would be a fun place to live, though not as rustic and relaxed as it would have been a few years ago. There are a ton of really nice-looking restaurants all over the place, lots of nice parks, some pretty temples, and even a Carrefour if you start missing western food.

As far as schools, there's a regular univeristy and a teachers' university. I visited the grounds of the regular U., and it was very nice, with attractive, well- maintained buildings. There are a lot of nice cafes, including those selling western-style food, nearby.

From what I remember seeing, salaries are pretty low in Yunnan because it is way out west. I remember seeing a salary of 3,500 a month at Yunnan Nationalities University. That would probably include housing (my guess). You could definitely live on that way out there, and even save about 1,000 of it if you were prudent.

[footsteps]

Thanks for the links, Spiderman T - will follow up. Thanks also for your comments, Kurochan.

[Roger]

Kunming has been one of myfavourite travelling destinations for years but it isn't the same with me when looking at the labour market.
Change or not - I recognise my Kunming but yes, the city is fast modernising yet it is still largely controlled by the State. This means that most employment opportunities are offered by provincial and municipal employers, and these haven't been over-eager to hire FTs. They know full well how much FTs crave the place - hence poor working conditions and a lot of uncertainty if you do get hired.
Apart from Kunming there are some 3 to 5 other localities where FTs can be hired legally, including Jinghong, Dali and others that are less well-known.

[Mpho]

While I don't live or teach in Kunming. I did spend two weeks there before taking my teaching position in Xinjiang this year. I also spent a full day with students at the Teachers College (Normal University). If you want to TEFL I would highly recommend the Normal University as they will treat you well (based on my observations) and really appreciate speaking with a foreign teacher.

Pay is not great in Yunnan perior. Some places don't pay airfare until you've been there two years. Lots of mosquitos most of the year, which are quite bothersome when you are trying to sleep.

Kunming is modern, bustling and not exotic in any way. Traffic is loud. The streets packed and there are some twinges of Western culture.

There are job openings in Yunnan in Kunming, Yuxi, Zhaotong and Chuxiong usually, but very hard to get replies from the FAOs. They all want to see you first and decide if you are for real or some passing hippie .
They are not too impressed with resumes from talking to others at the colleges.

If you are serious, go to Yunnan and knock on doors, this seems to be how they hire.

Mpho Kasper
Kuitun City, Xinjiang

[Louras]

Mpoyana did not make it. Glad to hear you are OK.

[vikdk]