Job Discussion Forums

chelsea · Joined: 05 Mar 2003 Posts: 22

I want to go to Beijing to teach English and also take a Mandarin class (I have a degree, teaching experience, and studied in China). I've been checking the job boards, and posted my resume here on daves and on thatsbeijing.com, but haven't come up with anything. Is this the wrong time of year, or are schools just not hiring for some reason?
Where else can I look?

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

A quick look at www.chinatefl.com [click "English" then Beijing on the map] shows around 10-12 places currently hiring. Now is a good time to look. We're halfway through the semester, with the new one starting mid-Feb.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

there always are some vacancies, but whether YOU are going to fill one of them is not predictable.
Sometimes you do get interviewed, then you hear nothing anymore from would-be hirers. This does not necessarily mean that the vacancy has been filled; often training centres advertised for a job that, come the time for it to be filled, no longer exists (underenrolment for example).
Public schools will hire again in February.
Don't count on being hired away from your home base! It might be better for you to come here in person and spend a couple of weeks in hotels, scouring the market.

The Central Scrutinizer · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 20

There are a few bi-weekly English entertainment papers there, one you might find is called 'City Edition'. There are a few others as well that you can usually pick up at a 'Star Bucks' coffee shop or some place similar. These papers usually/always have teaching jobs in them for part-time and full-time teachers at some of the private language schools. It might be good idea to start as a part-time teacher until you work out which school you really want to work at and where you want to live.

Morpheus · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 50

You have a degree, a teaching certificate, and you already studied in China. What do you need our help for?
There are so many jobs but, alas you are right, not many posted for Beijing specifically.

If you got money, just come to Beijing, There are two decent hostels one near Bar street and another south of Tiananmen, which is cheaper but dirtier. You can stay there for 100 a night (single) or share a group room for 40 or so. Thats RMB.

If you got money you can do it Question

Also, your visa will be troublesome as you come in on a tourist. How long do those last now 30, 60 or 90 Question

Time was you could get a 90 for no problem but I think after 9-11 the U.S. changed the rules so the Chinese retaliated and now it is only 30. Most emloyers in Beijing can't change the tourist visa as easily as they can in other provinces.

Twisted Evil

kimo · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 668

For what it's worth, Morph asked you:

chelsea · Joined: 05 Mar 2003 Posts: 22

thanks for the suggestions Very Happy

in response to your question, morph and kimo - i just have not been able to come up with any solid job offers. i've been posting my resume on daves, and on thatsbeijing.com, and sending out resume's like a maniac....but still nothing!

btw - i don't have a teaching certificate, just teaching experience. i worked as a substitute teacher for a while, and also did some volunteer teaching overseas.

i would really rather have something lined up first, before heading to china. when do the schools start their february hiring? sometime soon?

also - i have been looking into taking an intesive mandarin course at the beijing language and culture university. if i went over on a student visa (probably a 6 month visa), would I be able to get that changed into a working visa if I were to find a job at some point during my stay? could i teach english part time on the student visa?

thanks again for all your help!!