Job Discussion Forums

saltwater_dread · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 3

Hi,

I'm a Canadian looking for work in China. I don't have a bachelor's degree or a TEFL certificate. Because of this, I'm sort of assuming that I have a greater chance of ending up in a dodgy school. Can anyone recommend a trustworthy language school that hires foreign teachers without a bachelor's degree? I'm open to other locations, but I'm looking at Nanjing, Wuxi, Jilin, and Suzhou.

cubit · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 117 Location: Changchun

Try Sino-American Denver Foreign Language School, Changchun. Pay is average for the area, good people with whom to work.

Bai Da Wei in Changchun is also good, low hours, lots of free time.

Don't know how far you will get with the lack of TEFL, though. It will depend on how badly they need teachers.

saint57 · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:19 am Post subject:

How do we know you're not a dodgy teacher? How do we know we won't be unleashing some psycho on an innocent Chinese language school?

Super Mario · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:33 am Post subject:

Because he's Canadian, Saint. I've never known a psycho Canuck.
But seriously, a totally unqualified teacher is going to be working with the bottom feeders of the ESL ocean. They're employing people no-one else wants, no matter how much integrity you have.
Why not bust the bank and at least get a TEFL of some kind? I don't think you're in much of a position to find a "safe" school. Even the qualified and experienced here get done over regularly.

saltwater_dread · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 3

Thanks for the advice!

frank d · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 155

Saltwater-dread:

I'm not sure what other forum posters will say or advise you to do, but my feeling is that it will be difficult to identify such schools outright. This comment is not meant personally in any way, and I hope not to offend you, but it depends on their level of desperation.

What I mean by that is they will first try to hire a teacher with a degree(s), with teaching experience (in home country or China), with various certificates, etc., and if they come up empty-handed they will open the door to those without these credentials.

Just know that your lack of degree also opens the door for much tougher negotiation. They will offer you the smallest salary possible (and remember even the "high" salaries are not high). They will likely tell you they are concerned about your lack of experience, etc., in order to make it look like they are doing YOU a favor by hiring you. Be very careful, because the lack of a degree greatly diminishes your leverage and options and increases your vulnerability.

Scour the job postings on this and other ESL websites (again with great skepticism) and you will probably find schools who will consider you. We are in a period of hiring mania, which will subside in late August. The closer it gets to September 1, and the school finds itself without a foreign teacher (or foreign face), the greater your chances are of a placement.
You could get lucky, but you could likely get handed a 6-12 month nightmare. Ask LOTS of questions of anyone willing to hire you. The vague elements in the contract (and there are plenty of them) are the ones that will blow up in your face later. There's lots of landmines about.

They will likely try to make you pay for all the costs associated with your visa, offer less travel reimbursements, etc. I'm not sure of all the ways they might possibly try to exploit your situation.
Keep in mind that they're under pressure to hire someone, but they won't let you see that.

Also, I have a couple of masters degrees, years of teaching experience prior to coming to China; three year�s teaching experience in China, and none of those things save me from encountering a few �dodgy� schools along the way�

What do others have to say??? Agree or disagree with my projections?

-----------------------------------------
Here�s one for ya�

From the ESL Jobs in China (ESL Teachers Board.com) postings (to read the complete posting, visit the jobs page):

Top Gov Shools, BA is NOT must. - English job offered *Link*

Posted By: Star Education <[email protected]>
Date: 14 July 2006

Star Education in the province of Jilin north of China with Changchun as its capital are offering English language educators to share and impart their skills to eager students. Positions on offer are to teach English to students aged between 5 and 16 who are learning English full-time in their branches in government schools throughout Jilin or to part-time students in their private language schools in Changchun. The commitment expected from you is 5 to 6 days a week, no more than 85 teaching hours per month. Curriculum and teaching material will be provided.

Depending on your qualification, you could be earning between 4000 to 5000 RMB per month with overtime compensation. Work visa will be sponsored before you depart for China and accident and health cover will be offered to you. Modern western accommodation facilities will be supplied. Airfare to the amount of 7000 RMB will be reimbursed immediately upon completion of your one-year contract. You DO NOT need to have a tertiary qualified degree or a TESOL certificate to secure these positions. We want Native English Speakers who has enthusiasm in teaching English to Chinese learners.
----------------------------------------
Keep in mind, I just pointed you in their direction� I am NOT RESPONSIBLE for the outcome!

Good luck to you!

saint57 · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:21 am Post subject:

I agree with Frank D.

I'd like to add that in some cases "dodgy schools" can be a matter of perception.

saint57 · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:35 am Post subject:

After teaching in South Korea I have lost a lot of respect for my fellow Canadians. It's like a freak show over there. Psychos are a dime a dozen. So far we haven't dominated China in the same way.

The Voice Of Reason · Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 492