Job Discussion Forums

beebz · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 2 Location: SE Asia

Hello

First posting, so please be nice Wink

I have just passed CELTA and am trying to find some summer work in China - for 6 weeks maximum- so I can experience TEFL, see if I want to do more of it and possibly fund next stage of my travels (am currently in Laos).

I have made a successful application for a summer camp but have not yet signed contract as I am wondering if I might be better off trying to find work on arrival in Beijing or another city? At least then I would be able to see the schools, students and other teachers before making a commitment. However, this would mean arriving on a tourist Visa - would this make employment tricky? Would I be able to find work?

Pros and cons of each approach welcome.

dave_merk · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 208

If you're only interested in 6 weeks of working and living in China then I wouldn't think working on an L visa would be too much trouble. Line up a job, come on over, hang out for a few weeks, earn some money, then move on. No big deal. However, if your employer decides not to pay you or live up to anything in the contract (as they might well do) then you're out of luck. I shouldn't think an L visa would be too big a hurdle to finding a job even in Beijing if you're only staying for two months or so...it's only us long-termers who should avoid that.

cj750s · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:21 am Post subject:

working on a improper visa does not make a contract invalid...however ..it does make it hard to enforce without a trip to court...but even with all the proper visas ..and the help of of associations like SAFEA..the only real binding authority is the court...

beebz · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 2 Location: SE Asia

So visa might not be a problem.

How about jobs... would I be able to ask around at language schools or should I stick with the summer camp offer I have (5200 RMB for 20 days on site accommodation)?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

With all the job offers for CHina, I'd rather line one up beforehand.

u24tc · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 125 Location: Dalian, China

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

Summer camp. You'll have to find your own airfare though.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Though I've heard that some places do help a bit with airfare, but they pay you less.

u24tc · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 125 Location: Dalian, China

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

It's really 11th-hour to find a summer camp but it is still possible.

Put up a "summer camp" wanted advert on www.eslteachersboard.com and here on Dave's. These two sites are well-scoured by prospective employers in China looking for teachers and particularly those employers that are seeking to avoid agencies.

As the other posters have said, it is doubtful at this late hour if you could find a summer camp with prepaid airfare; as they have pointed out, even if you do, the wages will be far, far less than those camps that do not pay airfare.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

As you will only be here short term I would think lining up work before hand would be your best bet. You don't want to spend what little time you have here trying to find work.

Also worth consideration is what type of school would hire for a summer program once summer has started. I am sure that some do but they are probably not the ones you want to work for.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Didn't somebody once write, or it might have been something I heard from years ago that the local authorities are not very strict with foreigners coming here with visitor's visa and doing summer/winter work -- just as long as it ends on or before the L visa expires.

cj750s · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:44 pm Post subject:

cj750s · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:46 pm Post subject:

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

cj I am not going to get into one of those 'who is more important' discussions with you. It is really just not that important to me. Clearly a contract based on illegality cannot be enforced - that is as clear in the legislation as it is in logic.

It is up to the individual to decide whether they want to take the chance of getting a chance ruling in their favor or not, but in my opinion as long as teachers continue to put themselves behind the eight ball by accepting dodgy work in illegal situations the employers that employ illegally will prosper and the problems will continue.

tw I am sure that you are right that someone working on a L visa short term would likely not encounter any problems. I certainly am not trying to suggest that it is likely that someone would be picked up and deported for working on an L visa. It is not likely at all. My point is that teachers who work illegally are vulnerable to unscrupulous employers so if they want to play the game then they should be ready for the rules of the game to change without the help of a referee.