Job Discussion Forums

[rossttuedu]

So I want to get a job teaching in the Spring of 2007. I had intended on flying into Beijing on January 3rd because I had thought that Spring Festival was in mid-January and schools would be starting back up in late January or early February. However, I was recently told that Spring Festival starts in February and some schools may not start back up until early MARCH? So I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good date to fly in and begin interviewing with schools. I have all intentions of going through Hebei New Times Intl, and they have said they can find me a job no matter when I fly in. But they are being somewhat hesitant about giving me an exact date and I don't want to fly in and be without work for two months... any help or advice would be appreciated. =)

[adamsmith]

the earlier you arrive to start looking around at different schools so you can get a cgood idea of what you are going to be in for - the better. that being said, you probably wont start work/getting paid until the begging of march. The schools will start hiring now through december for next semester - thus the better schools will probably find their teachers soon, leaving the less desired locations looking for new teachers. the closer you get to the next semester starting up - the less likely you will be to find a decent school - although you can always get lucky.
At least start applying online to different schools that you may be interested in now - then when you come here you can make a decision after you see the school.

[kev7161]

Although I highly recommend seeing a school before signing a contract, it's not always practical. Can you find a job in Beijing simply by showing up and looking around? Sure you can - - most any language mill always seem to need a teacher. At a public or private school or a university? Like adamsmith said, you may get hired for a job, but probably wouldn't start until early to mid-March so your first pay may not be unitl April in some cases.

To switch gears: Here it is November 5th in Suzhou and the weather is BEAUTIFUL. A month ago during the National Day holiday, it was still fairly hot and sticky. In the four years I've been here, every "fall" is like that. I know it's the National Day and all, but I'd rather just have a 3-day weekend for that event and move the week-long holiday to the first week in November, making the time off much more comfortable for a large part of China (not the north where it's getting cold now). Also, it would break up the school year more evenly. As it is this year, we had our break a month into the school year and now we have to wait almost four full months before our Spring Festival holiday.

[7969]

[johnyuehan]

I'd like to start teaching in Beijing around late April or early May. Any idea what job prospects will be like then? Business English teaching pref'd. I have 4 1/2 yrs. teaching experience in China & Japan, B.A. & TESL cert. Early April sounds like a better time to start, but I have an event in mid April to attend.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[kev7161]

Late April or early May will probably only yield language schools for the most part. You may luck across a job advert of a school looking to replace someone who broke a contract or something. This spring semester is going to seem awfully short (really only a couple weeks shorter than last year, but still . . . !).

[nolefan]

i always recommend coming for the beginning of spring semester if you're interested in teaching uni. That way, you can sign a 1 year contract and get a whole summer of paid vacation ( almost 2.5 months).