Job Discussion Forums

Olivia Shanks · Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

Reading through the posts, I see that many people recommend on sight training for new ESL teachers. Well, I plan to do a CELTA in Beijing in October and then find a job in China, but I have a few questions.

First, if I enter on a tourist visa for my training and then find a job through the training center, will I have to make a visa run and reenter on a Z visa to teach?

Second, what are my chances or finding temporary employment until March and then transferring to a University, or starting at a University in late October, early November (I have a BS)

Third, does anyone know about Language Link? Are their CELTA programs and placement services good?

Finally (this is somewhat off topic) can anyone suggest a City in which the local dialect is close to Standard Mandarin?

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

You have mentioned twice " onsight training". Do you possibly mean " on-site training"? I question your intended employability at university level with such a basic error, particularly in Beijing.

If you intend to teach legally, then you will need the appropriate Z visa and a Foreign Expert's Certificate.

Most employers will expect you to work for a year's contract if they are going to provide accommodation etc.

I cannot comment on Language Link as I have never heard of anyone who has used their CELTA or placement services.

Avoid Shanghai and Suzhou where they have very distinct dialects, almost incomprehensible to other Chinese, let alone foreigners.

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

You're talking of university teaching, in which case I assume you've got a degree.

Most of China speaks regional dialects on a day to day basis. Some of these are, as pointed out, mutually incomprehensible. Shanghai and Guangdong are two prime examples. Fortunately, most people with a modicum of education can also speak Putonghua [aka Mandarin], which is dominant in the NE, including Beijing. I had few problems anywhere in the country with basic, but by all accounts reasonably clear, Putonghua. This included several years in Shanghai, even though there are still people who only speak Shanghaihua.

As for site/sight
principal/principle
complement/compliment

and so on, live and learn. Especially, learn.

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

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

11:59 · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:08 am Post subject:

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

I'd disagree with that baby retort. Little baby versus big baby are common expressions. There could be different degrees of baby size; where one is abnormally undersized, one is normal, and another is oversize. In fact, medicine has the baby growth charts which define such things.

Whereas, a Z visa is just that - there aren't different types of Z visas. There are no degrees or dynamic state.

An equivalent phrase with the word in question would be that you must obtain "an appropriate visa" which would of course be the Z visa.

I'm the only one who does see the grammatical issue?

As for having too much time and being bored today - yes, that's true actually. But, this was the third post today where someone decided to be the grammar police. It does get old very quickly and is so hilarious when the corrector himself makes mistakes in his correcting.

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

11:59 · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:32 am Post subject:

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Okay, 11:59, lost is right, you could say "the appropriate z-visa", but not appropriate visa. And well, yeah you can say little or big, fat or skinny baby. doesn't mean the baby is 6 ft.

Are we the most pathetic group of losers or what!

Oh, someone posted something. if you come in a a tourist visa, you must leave the country to come back in on a z (work) visa, that's the law, though some claim they have escaped doing this

Standard Mandarin is everywhere and nowhere. Doesn't much matter which city. For esample, SHanghai. Business people, schools use standard mandarin. At home, in a small shop is a different story. Same everywhere

Work, anything is possible. Depends on now hard you want to look and how desparate you are, what you are willing to accept

danielb · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 490

Wouldn't the 'appropriate Z visa' be the one issued upon the invitation of the legal entity in which you intend to work? I'm with 11:59, where is the grammar issue?

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

There's a bit of e.e. cummings us in all...

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Olivia Shanks · Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

Thank you for the help, but next time I will ask people who are less catty and pretentious