Job Discussion Forums

[btkong]

Hi there.

I was thinking of trying the whole EFL teaching thing for a year. I'm currently finishing my third bachelor degree (I have a BA with a major in English and a minor in journalism, a BA with a major in Linguistics, and am currently finishing a Computer science degree)

I've completly overdosed on school and need a break. I've set my sights on China as a mecca, a place to purge the taint of too much school.

However (yes, there is always a "however"), I am somewhat hesitant about teaching in China. You see, I'm half Asian and half Caucasian (mom is blond-haired + blue eyes, and my dad is Canadian born Chinese).

From what I have been reading, English teachers of Chinese decent are discriminated against in China -- as far as getting teaching jobs are concerned. Will I face that, being half Chinese, half white?

And how will the people treat me there? I really don't fancy the idea of dodging (thrown) stones as I walk down the streets, or being treated like some sort of carnival "freak" show.

I have heard that Chinese people are often very rude (stare at foreigners, etc).

So the questions is will I face discrimination in china for being, erm, "mixed?"

No and I don't speak Chinese/mandarine.

Thanks

[tw]

Hello btkong, I have worked with two half-Chinese and from what I have seen, none of them have faced any problems. Both are females, one being born to Taiwanese-born Chinese mother and Irish father, while the other (who I have worked with since last summer) has a China-born father (I think) and Canadian-born Caucasian mother.

[Steppenwolf]

Rudeness is a matter of perception; the Chinese are the last people to complain about their own uncouthness but as a mollycoddled westerner, you might find their behaviours somewhat offputting: the expression "thank you!" simply doesn't occur neither in English nor in Mandarin (except in very up-market shops), and apologies come as seldom from Chinese as snow falls over Hong Kong. You will resent being pushed, shoved aside, trod on your feet, manhandled, tapped on your body to direct you towards a door or out of someone's path, etc. - and for all this boorishness you won't be compensated with an "excuse me!"

As a mixed Europid-Chinese person it remains to be tested whether the Chinese view you more as an Asian than as a white man. The former may be treated more cordially on occasion but also face more scrutiny with a view of them being potential fifth-columnists, while the latter are often given more slack in public life but they are also kept at a certain distance and seldom taken seriously enough.

So, if you are of an open mind, somewhat tolerant, you can still enjoy life in China; in your case, being "school overdosed", I am not sure whether school life at the other side of a lectern will suit you fully! It might, but it might fail.

[btkong]

Interesting.

Most chinese people I met here (Vancouver canada) are very polite. However, I thought perhaps mainlanders might have a different mindset then the chinese here (who are "foreigners" here and are perhaps forced to reign in any discrimination). I have never faced any discrimination here from chinese.

What prompted my question was the various complaints from chinese English teachers, who bemoan the discrimination they face when teaching (this does make a bit of sense though. Would you want to pay money for a mandarin teacher, only to find out your teacher is in fact a white person?)

I will say that most chinese, if they find out I am half chinese seem to open up much more and seem much more friendly. I also seem to have some weird propensity for attracting Chinese women like flies. I'm not sure if it's just their facination of the mix or what, but it's damn annoying. I really hope this is not the case in China.

I'm glad to hear you worked with other mixed people, tw. Since those ladies didn't face any problems, I suppose I won't either. I mainly just want to fit in without trying to explain what am, or giving a detailed account of my ancestry to every pedestrian I pass on the road. Did people gawk at them or continually ask them questions about their ancenstry?

My last name (being my father is chinese) is chinese, so people will (if they don't see me) assume I am Chinese (like say, if I send a resume to a English-teaching school). I can see this being a problem.

[Henry_Cowell]

Sheesh, man. Use your computer science degree to advantage in China. Do you have any idea how many Western hardware, software, networking, and other IT companies are setting up offices in China? They sorely need English-speaking (and English-writing) trainers and managers.

And have you thought of combining your linguistics training and your IT skills? Have you studied encryption and security? Localization?

Don't go as merely an English teacher for a language school, college, or university. That's for the backpackers.

[jeffinflorida]

Henry's right. If you speak Mandarin and English there are a bunch of US companies in Shaghai and Beijing and in Guandgong that are recuiting and pay much better than what you would get as an English Monkey.

Check out Monster and look under China and you'll see what I mean.

[Steppenwolf]

[Bayden]

[vikdk]

[tw]

[btkong]

tw, I would definitely be interested. However, I actually live in Victoria for the school year, so I won't be in Vancouver for a few months.

Some people suggested using my computer science degree in China. Interesting idea, I mean it would be nice to see all the time and effort I put into my degrees pay off somehow. However, I don't speak mandarin or any other dialect, so that might be problematic. My main goal is not really to come back rich, but to experience a completely different culture, see new things, and meet new people. But hey, I won't complain about a decent paycheck either.

[Henry_Cowell]

[kimo]

Computer Science degree, as in able to build platforms using all the goodie languages out there that one might find inside a mobile phone, or do a bit of testing? If so, there might be other options for you than EFL'ing.

[laska]

The girls will definitely be very interested. If you find this kind of racial attitude offensive, you'd better brace yourself.

[Yu]

I would be surprised if they even see you as a Chinese.

My son is half Chinese half white. Everyone compliments he is Chinese like they cannot figure out why he speaks it so well... they call him a little foreigner and he is completely treated like a foreign kid even when he is out with his Chinese day... people will look at my husband like why do you know a xiaowai.

I think you wont be Chinese unless both parents are Chinese....

Look into IT jobs to they will pay better and you are at least as qualified as Chinese graduate.[/list]