Job Discussion Forums

[isosceleswheel]

I am a student in the US at university. Ive taken the year off during which time Ive worked and also travel to Thailand and Laos for 3 months. I had largely decided it would be a good idea to move to China or Japan (or perhaps others) to teach English for the experience both as a teacher and in a totally foreign environment. I have done a wide range of teaching unnofficially for years: given piano lessons, edited college papers and explained writing and grammar to less than perfect writers and grammarians as I edited their papers.

I felt very comfortable in SE Asia and I think that being abroad I can manage independently. I'm getting an online TEFL from Bridge Linguatec right now and also learning Chinese with Rosetta stone, although I know that its never usually considered important. I'd like to work in China or Japan but from the research I've done here it seems most if not all "legitamate" programs, i.e. those sponsoring Z visas and required to honor contracts, are all for those holding BA's and higher. I also have no ESL experience although as I mentioned I have been a very successful tutor in a number of subjects.

I was originally thinking I could leave at the end of this summer or perhaps sooner for a 6 mo. to 1 yr. contract job in China or even Japan. I have survival resources (a good income doing carpentry with little possiblity of letting up) and I would certainly be comfortably prepared to spend time in an Asia country come summer.

What I'd like to ask is where I stand for finding a decent job by August 06. Like I said I would probably not be in for over 1 yr. commitment. For my job I would like relative flexibility over my lessons, most basic comforts that crop up in the contract sticky on the China forum, legally recognized contract (if possible without my BA) and some freedom to explore the country/culture/people i.e. 20-25 contact hr/wk.

Hopefully I haven't tooted many tired horns... I'll be going back to crawl through the forums now. Thanks!

[tedkarma]

I think you can probably find what you are looking for in China. Many people in Thailand - also do not have degrees - but it does make it more difficult to get a work permit. However, many people here work without legal sanction. Just the way it is.

Know that 20-25 contact hours per week - is pretty much a full time job - you will need time for preparation of your classes and a few other things too.

Go for it. You might find it as addictive as many of us out here do!

[Calories]

Most of the teachers I've met here in Jiangsu, China don't have degrees but, they've all got Z visas and 6 mo-1yr contracts/14 hours a week.

[Glenski]