Job Discussion Forums

[babar6789]

Hi this is my first time writing a post. I'm planning a career in TEFL hopefully starting by the end of the year. I've been looking at courses for a while and i am currently leaning towards the TEFL International course in Zhuhai, China with the intention of teaching in the area for a year or so.

Before i make such a big step (and financial investment) i'd appreciate some advice if at all possible.

First of all i'm assuming that this course is worth the money. Has anyone sat this course, and was it worth the cash??

Zhuhai seems like quite a nice wee town but is it expensive to live there? Am i going to need a pot of gold to sustain me until i get work.

Finally, are these courses easy to get a place on? Also how long does the application process take? I'm hoping to hit town by october.

Anyway I hope that these questions arent too idiotic. I've done loads of research but theres a lot to take in and I have to start making decisions.

Cheers.

[mlomker]

TEFL International is very well respected...I've been researching them myself. I find their programs interesting because they have a diploma and a masters degree (in Thailand) and grant credit for obtaining the certificate first.

I'd be surprised if you didn't have a job lined up before your class was even finished. They do placement assistance, I'm sure...and there are just a ton of jobs in the country.

[saint57]

[Roger]

Yeah, such certs are not geared to landing you on a career. They train you to be culturally sensitive though why you should have to learn that in such a course is beyond me. In essence, you will turn out politically adapted.

But that should not turn you away from that Zhuhai outfit; they do have a solid reputation. And yes, Zhuhai is a nice place to live though a tad boring and too "modern" (concrete boxes and all the western lifestyle gadgets and little else).

[scorch]

I did the course in Zhuhai during the summer of 04. I met some good people, enjoyed the course, and learned a lot. They had a job lined up
for me after I had been there for only two weeks. It was a good job and I am still at it, and I have just signed for another year. Going from TEFL
Zhuhai to a good job was effortless, at least for me. The course is a bit
expensive, but it was worth it due to the ease in which I was able to make the transition from American cracker to English teacher in China. Zhuhai
is a fun town, not too expensive unless you like to hit the expat bars.
I had a great experience there and have no regrets.

[icebear]

This question is addressed to scorch, but I'm sure others here could answer it.

If you come and complete a TEFL course in say, August, and plan to begin teaching in September, where does this put you visa wise? I imagine you'd enter on one like a tourist or F/L, take the course, and then have to make a run to HK to get Z, correct?

Does this mean a round trip ticket would be necessary upon entry into the country, even though I'm planning on staying for the year? I've recently begun to sway towards doing a TELF course prior to a job in China and am trying to figure out the logistics of it all. scorch, can you comment on general expenses besides the course fees during your month in Zhuhai?

Care to comment on their job connections outside of Zhuhai? I'd like to work in Guangdong province, but was initially leaning towards Shenzhen or Guangzhou. That said I've heard Zhuhai is very livable.

Thanks for any feedback.

[Roger]

Why don't you just apply for a visa that has a long enough shelf life to cover September so that your putative new employer can apply for your residence permit during September?
I suppose while you are taking that TEFL course in Zhuhai you are on an 'F' visa anyway. Those come in validities of up to one year if applied for in Hong Kong. One year, or six months or 3 months.