Job Discussion Forums

joesgonnago · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Yueqing, China

Hello all-

I am seeking advice on securing a TEFL position in China. I am a 33y/o male with an AA, tons of college credits, and extensive teaching experience. I live in NYC and plan to attend a certification course. I want to TEFL in order to experience another culture, learn/teach a new language, and travel in Asia. My intentions are to teach for 1-2 years (though I'd make a career out of it) and then go into business. (here, there- the wind will say)

After browsing through Dave's, I've learned a great deal and now I have my own questions. Please reply with any input or advice.

#1. China was my first choice because of the culture and I believe it is a emerging market. However, once I heard that Korea is where I could also bank some cash, it opened that possibility. What I need to know is, will the lack of a BA totally ruin my chances?ANSWER: YES, ONLY CHINA AND THAILAND ACCEPT A FT WITHOUT A DEGREE I want to be honest and not use a fraudulent diploma and get deported. I interview well, have public speaking experience, and can get letters of recommendations. Will this or anything else improve my chances? ANSWER: YOU NEED A PASSPORT, PICTURE, COPIES OF DIPLOMAS, TEFL CERTIFICATE, AND POSSIBLY A HEALTH CHECK-UP
#2. I was in the Army. I was stationed stateside and made eye glasses. Will this hurt or help me? ANSWER: DON'T MENTION IT.
#3. I read that the SE of China is very nice weather wise and good for traveling to other spots. Also, it was advised to stay out of the big cities and stay about a 1-2 hour bus ride from one. Reasons included were pollution and quality of life. Is this true? DEPENDS Can anyone tell me for sure to avoid a certain area? NOTHING SO FAR... Try to get a location?
4#. How much money should I bring? Have in a account, assuming I have no bills? I have seen that I should have a Int. banking card that has Cirrius or something. How long will it take before I get paid once arriving? ANSWERS: ONE MONTHS SALARY AND YOU GET PAID AT THE END OF THE MONTH, USUALLY
5#. I am very athletic and have coached both basketball and baseball. Will playing sports be something schools will consider a positive? Should I put it on my resume or bring it up in interviews? I plan to secure employment prior to leaving. ANSWER: YES, SPORTS ARE IMPORTANT AND IT COULDN'T HURT
6#. Can anyone provide me with a sample resume? GOOGLE IT!!
7#. What do teachers wear? Should I bring my suits or just a bunch of collared shirts?ANSWER: JEANS OR SLACKS AND COLLARD SHIRTS
8#. Aside from deodrant, a can opener, screw driver, multi-tool, pictures, and books; what should I bring that I can't get? ANSWER: VARIED, BUT FAVS WERE DEO, POTATO MASHER, COMPUTER PARTS, CONDOMS, SOME BOOKS, SHOES, AND PICS TO SHOW YOUR STUDENTS
NOTE: ANYONE HOOKING ME UP A JOB, SCHOOL, GOOD RECRUITER - WILL BE REWARDED!! (a box of what you want/need mailed to you or whatever we can figure out)
9#. Can I bring computer CD's/memory sticks that have pics, video, and documents? What's the computer compatibilty? ANSWER: SOME SCHOOLS GIVE YOU ONE AND CHANCES ARE IT WILL SUCK. I COULD BRING PARTS AND MAKE ONE UPON ARRIVAL. (WILL DO IF THE CASH IS HANDY)
10#. Does anyone have any suggestions on what items to bring as small gifts to my students? Fellow teachers? Bosses or administrators? ANSWER: ONE SO FAR, SMALL FLAGS PINS
11#. I moved to NY (from IL right outside St. Louis) for the diverse culture. I moved in with a Dominican family and learn to speak spanish quickly. What are the odds of me living with a host family? Can I negotiate to live in provided housing, for say 3 months, and then move in with a middle income family I find? ANSWER: NOT A GOOD IDEA. I'LL WANT TO ESCAPE TO MY 'WESTERN' REFUGE

Any help would be appreciated!

Iamgonnago

NOTE: ANY CORRECTIONS OR COMMENTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

1. What's an AA?
2. What kind of teaching experience? If you've been teaching in a regular K-12 school, you should be able to get a job in an International School, which would normally pay a lot better than TEFL and where sports coaching experience would definitely be a plus.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Younggeorge, they must let anyone teach these days. Even people who are half literate. Joesgonnago stated that he did not have a B.A. How in the world could he be able to get a job in an international school when he does not have a B.A.?

Joesgonnago, your best bet is China. In Korea you would need a B.A. in order to be granted a visa from the government. Korean immigration asks to see the diploma and a transcript before giving anyone a visa to be employed as an English teacher. You could work illegally in Korea which some people do.

Your best bet would be China or Thailand. The demand for teachers in China is so high that some Norwegians and Germans teach English at Chinese Universities. Not to mention that some Africans are teaching English in language centers.

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

Super Frank · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 365

In the UK you need a degree to be a teacher, either a B ed or a PGCE.

Unless you are talking about TEFL.

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

acwilliams · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:08 am Post subject:

Super Frank · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 365

Damn it if I'd known all them years back when I was trying to get a B'ed for primary education maybe I could have taken another route...
As it was my A level predictions were bad so I never got an interview, let alone an offer and got side tracked into a different career.

jester · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 111

#1. China was my first choice because of the culture and I believe it is a emerging market. However, once I heard that Korea is where I could also bank some cash, it opened that possibility. What I need to know is, will the lack of a BA totally ruin my chances? Yes, if you want to be legalI want to be honest and not use a fraudulent diploma and get deported. I interview well, have public speaking experience, and can get letters of recommendations. Will this or anything else improve my chances? The letters may help - keep in mind jobs are plentifull
#2. I was in the Army. I was stationed stateside and made eye glasses. Will this hurt or help me? Neither
#3. I read that the SE of China is very nice weather wise and good for traveling to other spots. Also, it was advised to stay out of the big cities and stay about a 1-2 hour bus ride from one. Reasons included were pollution and quality of life. Is this true? Sometimes - sometimes commuting or living outside a city can be a pain in the behind.Can anyone tell me for sure to avoid a certain area? Try to get a location?
4#. How much money should I bring? Between $500 and 1000 should be plenty - Schools pay different dates but mostly around the end of the month. Have in a account, assuming I have no bills? I have seen that I should have a Int. banking card that has Cirrius or something. How long will it take before I get paid once arriving? My advice would be Cash or TC
5#. I am very athletic and have coached both basketball and baseball. Will playing sports be something schools will consider a positive? Should I put it on my resume or bring it up in interviews? I plan to secure employment prior to leaving. Put in on your resume - won't make any difference in most cases
6#. Can anyone provide me with a sample resume? Google it!
7#. What do teachers wear? Should I bring my suits or just a bunch of collared shirts? No suits. Shirts, t-shirts and jeans.
8#. Aside from deodrant, a can opener, screw driver, multi-tool, pictures, and books; what should I bring that I can't get? Honesty

NOTE: ANYONE HOOKING ME UP A JOB, SCHOOL, GOOD RECRUITER - WILL BE REWARDED!! (a box of what you want/need mailed to you or whatever we can figure out)Be careful with that kinda talk, people here do weird things to satisfy their cravings for foreign stuff..........
9#. Can I bring computer CD's/memory sticks that have pics, video, and documents? What's the computer compatibilty? All of the mentioned - 100% PC compatable. A copy of Word/XP in English might be handy
10#. Does anyone have any suggestions on what items to bring as small gifts to my students? Fellow teachers? Bosses or administrators?Any American thing. Small flags, pictures, post cards etc
11#. I moved to NY (from IL right outside St. Louis) for the diverse culture. I moved in with a Dominican family and learn to speak spanish quickly. What are the odds of me living with a host family? Can I negotiate to live in provided housing, for say 3 months, and then move in with a middle income family I find? I don't know.

joesgonnago · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Yueqing, China

Thank you to all who have contributed. If there are any other words of wisdom, please continue to reply.

special thanks to Jester, Craig, HunanForiegnGuy, SuperFrank, and gengrant.

Oh yeah, and that crabby TedKarma.

joesgonnago · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Yueqing, China

mlonker and younggeorge too!!

khmerhit · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:58 pm Post subject:

Here are some words of wisdom, Joe.

Cambodia---try it and see. Cool