Job Discussion Forums

[shoosh]

Hello all. I'm writing this hoping that teachers in Beijing will be able to answer some questions for me.

I was recently watching a documentary on Beijing and how they are preparing for the Olympics in 2008. I was wondering if Beijing has been recruiting ESL teachers like mad as part of their preparation.

I was told that in Beijing there was a plan to have all staff in the public service industry (ie. public transportation, shop keepers, etc.) learn English and that people may even lose their jobs unless they begin learning the language. Assuming this is somewhat accurate I imagine that Beijing would be "generous" in offering some sweet jobs to ESL teachers. Is anyone able to confirm this or provide some insight on the topic?

I guess my next question is whether or not Beijing is a nice place to teach and make some good money in the process? People tell me it's common to end up bringing home anywhere from $7000-9000 by teaching in Korea. Is this to be expected from working in Beijing? (I understand that lifestyle habits determine the amount. I'm just asking for some general numbers).

Does anyone have some sites that are resources for teaching in Beijing? I am looking for some sites now but if anyone has anything good I would appreciate some links Thank you kindly!

That's about all I can think of now... I look forward to your replies. Thanks again in advance.

Shoosh!

[jeffinflorida]

Beijing is a big drab dirty polluted city and on the expensive side.

Until you know what is expected of you in your teaching duties it is hard to say how to prepare for your students needs - these needs differ from school to school and you will not know them until you get there.

Some schools may prepare you and assist you, some may just say "Here is class list, Go Teach...".

[prof]

[Steppenwolf]

The original poster may be deluding himself about the teaching and learning situation in China pre-2008.
Just because the authorities have "been hiring FTs like mad" doesn't mean you will come to a TEFLer's Eldorado where enthusiasm reigns supreme.

I wouldn't be put off by "pollution" as other posters seem to; it's not worse than in Korea or in Hong Kong.

What would put me off is the puerility of those who wait for others to take the initiative in learning English.

This is a mindset fit for a king who is used to being waited upon, served, coddled, his bum cleaned, his mouth fed and his every order executed at once.
These people are unimaginative and disinterested; they learn because someone else is responsible and it pays off for them to sit through endless but, from their point of view, boring English sessions.

The central and other governments have for several years been promoting English; cabbies in major cities were given learning aides including tapes; staff at various levels have had the extra benefit of paid tuition. And what is the result of all these extra efforts at public expense?

Not a single soul speaks better ENglish than beore the whole craze started! It's just been good business for publishers of CDs and "textbooks"! If you don't believe me, I will invite you at my expense to ride cabs in Guangzhou until we find a taxi driver who has actually benefitted from this onerous exercise!

And for those involved in cramming ("Teaching") English to their CHinese students: it is at times frustrating! Frustrating to be exposed to such a mindset!

[Itsme]

Beijing is a great place!

I lucked out in that my employer actually called me long distance and interviewed me over the phone. That was the deal sealer for me. The only other people who called me were the Korean agencies and they would not listen to my pleas about time zone differences and constantly woke everyone in the house up in the middle of the night, but that is another story!

300 words later and so Ill set a record (for briefness) and get to the point.

Yes. Olympics 2008. Yay lots of wai guo ren coming to town. Wow let's show them how awesome we are by speaking perfect English. Let's go to the store and buy every book and hire a tutor right away.

10 min later...

Wow, learning is not as fun as blasting cra_ppy music on my mp3 player.
Put away the books and get a new tutor.



Ok, cynicism aside,
I say go for it. Check out www.thatsbj.com (if it's still around.)
It is a very good and free site where you can post your resume and get into contact with employers.

Make sure you bring along some digital photos of yourself as well as some reference letters, your resume... what am I missing?

Try doing some searches on the net for some of the things you are wondering about as opposed to simply asking the questions right out. You may encounter some discouraging posts when in fact experiences vary from person to person.

[shoosh]

I think I'm going to stop coming onto this site for awhile. Seems that there are more people either complaining about these countries or telling me that I'm so naieve because I don't know what it's really like to go teach. Itsme I think I will take your advice and search on other sites so I can get away from the discouraging posts here, at least for a while until I've gained enough knowledge that I won't be discouraged by every post made here THanks for all the replies.

[Rooster]

Wonderful Shoosh. Good Luck to you.

But a few of the folks/know-it-all snobs are fun to read and give me a kick!

Bring it on!

[prof]

[cj750]

[China.Pete]

"Assuming this is somewhat accurate, I imagine that Beijing would be 'generous' in offering some sweet jobs to ESL teachers." - Shoosh

Beijing is actually one of the more difficult markets for ESL teachers. Many of the reasons for this have already been cited by others. It's saturated with "teachers," and the environmental, cost of living and other issues can really get to you sometimes. This market is probably most suitable for the ESL teacher who likes to be in the center of things, is here to learn Chinese and practice it with his students, and is relatively unconcerned about the actual teaching experience. Good luck!

[kimo]

Shoosh, you said,

"I was watching... I was told.... I imagine.... I guess...."

Then you said, "I think I'm going to stop coming onto this site for awhile. "

Go ahead, guy, take your ball and go home. Living in China in not always so easy. If you are just looking for people to tell you what you want to hear, China IS the place for you. The only thing is, what you hear and what you get quite often do not converge.

[william wallace]

nothing to say