Job Discussion Forums

[jjprine]

Hi, I'm sure you get this a lot, but I'm a first time poster long time lurker. I'm graduating this June with a BA in English and a TESOL concentration. After I graduate, I plan on tutoring and substitute teaching for a year before finding a TEFL job in China. As a preface, I'm a native speaker, I turn 22 in August and I'm half-white half-Chinese (I saw a post that explained that knowing the ethnicity of the applicant helps with the hypotheticals).

I've been researching opportunities in the TEFL field, but I still have lots of questions that remain. It seems like there are many experienced TEFL'ers who have little faith in organizations that help place people. I have found some obviously bad apples in my research, but other organizations seem rather legitimate; why does it feel like there is an overall negative perception of these organizations?

I subscribed to the TEFL.com daily newsletter of postings from around the world, which seems to have a mix of legit and questionable job postings, does anybody have experience with those postings? Some seem to be from companies while, I think, others are from the actual schools themselves; would you guys deem that as a viable alternative to going through placement organizations?

Although I do not plan on leaving for a year, I am trying to be as prepared as possible so that I don't get stuck across the globe with a hack job. One thing that I haven't found much information on that I am still curious about is life after arrival in the host country. I take it as a given that each country, each town for that matter, is different, but how does one learn to adapt and adjust after getting off the plane?

So far I don't have experience as a teacher, and I don't think I see it in my future before doing TEFL; is this foolish of me? Since I'm still young I want to use TEFL to travel before applying for grad school, which is why I don't see myself teaching before leaving the US. I've seen a lot of job postings that require 1-3 years of experience and also many that say experience is necessary; what is your belief on the value of experience when looking for a first time TEFL job? I plan on first going to China, so I don't perceive my lack of experience to be too much of a hindrance, but I may be dead wrong. What do you think?

I have tons more questions, but I don't want to seem like an over-eager journalist. Any and all help is appreciated, thanks.

Josh

[Gordon]

You're a native speaker, have a BA and a pulse... nothing else required for China. Don't sweat it.

[jjprine]

[Gordon]

France is completely different. Yes, an EU passport is required and experience as well.

[eslstudies]

You need to start some serious research. Where do you want to work in China? You say you are half Chinese, so where are your roots, and do you have family there? Do you speak any Chinese: Mandarin or major dialect?
Do you favour tertiary, middle school, elementary, kindergarten or teaching adults? Public or private? Small conversation groups, classrooms or lecture theatres?

So many questions for you to find the answers to. As for "adapting", if you keep an open mind and relish new experiences, it will just happen. Some people never manage, but most do. Students, admin and colleagues tend to be supportive as well.

As you are inexperienced, albiet well qualified [for China], you might look for a position that doesn't demand too many teaching hours, provides some level of curriculum and collegiate support and also has a degree of legitimacy and reliability. A university post might be a good beginning.

[jjprine]

Wow. Thanks! I didn't know I was so unprepared! I have family there, but I don't keep in touch with them because I don't speak any Chinese, so I don't plan on family very much influencing my destination. In fact, I hope I'm not naive in saying this, but I really like fitness and hope to go somewhere where I am most likely to be able to find the most authentic martial arts classes.

I definitely favor middle/high school or adults in either small conversation groups or classrooms, though I, as of right now, have no information to make a decision of preference between private and public schools. I didn't imagine a university post would be possible for someone with my limited experience.

Also, I suppose I am more naive than I thought...Most the postings, for all areas, that I have found seem to be for the middle school or adult level. Is there a high demand for English only speaking teachers of elementary schools, in China as well as the European countries? Sorry if this has been answered before or is a dumb question, it just never crossed my mind for some reason. Thanks again and again.

[eslstudies]

You are certainly qualified for a university. Many will ask for experience, but don't let that stop you applying.
The best situation is where you teach oral English to groups of 15-20. Any more than this and you're wasting your time.
Middle school classes tend to be large. Unless you have a Chinese teacher present to keep order, you could be massacred. Some private middle schools will run sensibly sized classes taught by native speakers though.
The wealthier cities and, again, private schools, take their English language teaching seriously in kindergarten and elementary. Parents paying high tuition fees demand it! Some will even go to the extent of hiring a white face, but largely for show.