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Amari
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 3
Location: Dunedin, NZ
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 Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:07 am Post subject: Total newbie- What's the best plan of attack? |
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Hi everyone,
I'm totally new to this forum, have been reading it avidly for a couple of months, and decided to ask for advice of my own (sorry if i'm repeating hundreds of other messages...)
I'm graduating in December and am planning on going to China (after doing a TEFL course as well) with my sister- who won't have a University degree but will do a TEFL course.
What's the best plan of attack for finding a job without a degree?
Are there any cities/areas in China that come highly recommended (or, adversely, any that we should steer clear of?)
Would there be any chance of finding jobs at the same school?
How long should we start applying for jobs before we want to leave (probably Feb)?
Also, how are New Zealanders regarded by the schools in China- i've noticed lots of ads for vacancies seem to prefer Americans- would my nationality disadvantage me at all?
Well, thanks for any help you can give me.  |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:57 am Post subject: |
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| My experience has been that while North Americans are often suggested as "preferred" in advertisements - LOTS of Kiwis, South Africans, Australians, and more - are hired. Demand is great - supply is limited. |
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acwilliams
Joined: 17 Feb 2006
Posts: 68
Location: Now in China, soon moving on
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| Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 7:28 am Post subject: |
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Amari wrote:
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| What's the best plan of attack for finding a job without a degree? |
Some provinces in China insist on only issuing visa invitation documents to teachers with degrees. Other provinces are more relaxed. To further complicate the degree issue, if a particular school has good 'guanxi' (personal relationships) with the local Foreign Affairs Bureau, then visa invitation documents will be issued whether teachers have degrees or not.
The best plan of attack is to apply for all the jobs you can find that offer pay and conditions you find acceptable. Even if the job ad says 'Bachelor's degree required', you have nothing to lose by applying anyway. Some schools will respond positively to your degree-less sister (although some won't). Then you can make your choice.
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| Are there any cities/areas in China that come highly recommended (or, adversely, any that we should steer clear of?) |
Gosh, this is such a personal decision. What kind of climate do you prefer? Do you want a big city on the east coast, or a remote rural location? Is air quality a concern for you? Give us some hints!
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| Would there be any chance of finding jobs at the same school? |
A very good chance, I'd say.
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| How long should we start applying for jobs before we want to leave (probably Feb)? |
The Chinese New Year festival holiday lasts about 3 weeks and usually (lunar calendar) comes round in February - google the exact dates for 2007.
The good news here is that the spring term starts immediately after this holiday in public schools/colleges/universities, so December and January are good months to be looking for work starting in the spring term.
Alternatively, if you want to work for a private training centre, these recruit year round.
In any case, start applying in December, because it can take a month/six weeks for the school to answer all your questions, and obtain your visa invitation documents.
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| Also, how are New Zealanders regarded by the schools in China- i've noticed lots of ads for vacancies seem to prefer Americans- would my nationality disadvantage me at all? |
Your New Zealand nationality will not be a problem. Quite the reverse! |
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stillnosheep
Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 2068
Location: eslcafe
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| Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 11:07 am Post subject: |
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If you're looking for a nice gentle introduction to China with beautiful scenery and a holiday atmosphere you could do worse than consider Yangshuo, Guangxi, SE China.
Convenient for HK and Vietnam and not too badly located for Tibet, Yangshuo offers bamboo river rafting, cycling, hiking, rock-climbing and cave-dozens of cafes of an evening - or foot shuttlecock in the street for those who still have energy to spare - in a stunning landscape of rivers and Karsts - vertical rock formations of Limestone. Only a couple of hours away by bus are the famous Dragon's Back rice terraces.
The weather is sub-tropical in summer and cool, not cold, but damp, in winter, and the pay is low; but there are always vacancies for teachers with TEFL training.
PM me. |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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stillnosheep would be a helluva travel writer!
I wish I could write like that. I'm ready to go there - just on vacation! |
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Super Mario
Joined: 27 May 2005
Posts: 1022
Location: Australia, previously China
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| Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 6:40 am Post subject: |
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Sounds like stillnosheep is auditioning for a position with LP, no offence meant!
Having spent 2 years in Guilin [including naturally many Yangshuo visits] I'd have to disagree with the "not cold" advice. It can get bloody cold, and even snow very rarely.
Many of the Yangshuo cafes have little charcoal braziers they put under tables as foot warmers.
Of course, if you're Canuck you won't notice the cold though. |
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