Job Discussion Forums

[bordiga]

Hi all, first post.

It has already been established on this board that it is up to the local authorities to set the regulations and interpret the National recommendations regarding teacher qualifications in the matter of issuance of residence permits and visas.

I've been wondering if it possible to work legally and get a residence permit in Guangzhou without a bachelors degree.
I was told by one person that the foreign workers bureau there requires a degree for the visa and permit. They also told me that this is not the case for most of the rest of Guangdong. Is this information correct?

Ive been offered several jobs in Guangzhou, despite my lack of a diploma.

I have similar questions for Xiamen and Fuzhou in Fujian, if anyone has any knowledge there.

In case anyone is wondering, as I know attitudes differ about formal educational qualifications on the the board, I have 5 years experience teaching ESL (including 2 in Canada), a TEFL certificate, and I'm also a writer who has taught creative writing and literature in Canadian and American public schools.

Not that I should have to justify myself, but I don't want anyone to think I'm a sketchy character of sorts.

Cheers.

[TreKidation]

I'm curious...how did you teach U.S. public schools with no formal college education/degree?

[bordiga]

I taught as a guest instructor at an alternative school.
Officially my title was not public school teacher, and it was just a short term contract. I am not sure how they had my title on the books, probably teacher's aide. That said, there are districts in the US where you could likely find jobs like this easily, though more likely in the math and science end of things. Some districts really need all the help they can get. Oakland comes to mind. I am not familiar with Detroit, but ...

In any case, that's a thread for the international board, pm me if you want to chat about work in the US.

[malu]

I'm afraid there is no cut-and-dried answer to your question. It depends not just on geography but also who your employer is and what kind of relationship they have with officialdom. Some employers in Guangzhou and the surrounding area would have no problem getting you a permit while a different school applying to the same office would be turned away.

Be aware that not every employer who says they can get you a permit can really follow through, because it is only when they try that they find out how much guanxi they are in credit.

[Lorean]

[arioch36]

new York State has very strict standards for teachers, but a persistent shortage of "qualified" ie. certified, math and science teachers resulted in aprogram that allows for "guest" teachers ( can't remember what they call it) where a school district can allow someone to come in and teach math if they have worked in the math field in some capacity. I believe many states have similar shortfalls and similar programs. For instance a Chinese person teaching teaching Chinese at a publigh high school in the states is most likely not certified. Lots of certified english teachers though