Job Discussion Forums

led123 · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 2

Hi,

I'm considering teaching ESL in Shanghai and I have a few questions. Information that may be relevant: I'm a native speaker of American English, I have a master's degree from an American university, and (since it seems like this is really important from all the stuff I've read on teaching ESL in China so far) I am white. I have no previous ESL experience. I've been to Shanghai before, so I'm interested in living there specifically. I'm not interested in doing ESL as a career, basically I just want to do it for the experience of living in China and to improve my Mandarin (I can currently speak it at a pretty basic level), and then possibly seek out non-ESL "expat" work. If anyone could help me with the following questions I'd really appreciate it:

1) If I just show up in Shanghai, will it be hard for me to find work? I was planning on possibly heading there in a couple weeks.

2) Is it an issue if I don't have any ESL credentials?

If I need a credential, is the online one okay, or do I need to take an actual course?

If I need to take an actual course, is it possible to do that in Shanghai or would I need to do that at home?

3) Realistically, how much can I expect to get paid? What's a decent salary for someone with no teaching experience?

4) Would I need to sign a contract for a full year, or is it possible to get contracts for shorter periods (say six months)?

5) One other thing: how do I prove that I have a degree? Do I need to actually bring my diploma with me, or how does that work?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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

led123 · Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 2

Fixed that - sorry, I meant no offense, but I routinely hear non-ESL work referred to in such terms by some ESL people, so I didn't realize it was inappropriate. Maybe those people were just bitter.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

The Lure of the Boom - the Job Scene in Shanghai - ShanghaiExpat ...There are more people from other countries who want to come live and work in Shanghai, than there are jobs at expat salaries. In the past year, ...

http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/Article89.phtml

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

With the current unprecedented migration from countryside to city, thousands upon thousands of farm-related jobs may very well be opening up outside the big cities. Good opportunity to build up one's muscles, get a tan, and perhaps learn to speak a fading dialect in addition to putonghua!

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

A good read for you:

http://www.10thnpc.org.cn/english/LivinginChina/206849.htm

Shanghai

A lot of foreigners live in relative isolation in this city, and I think a lot can be done to encourage this community to embrace Shanghai as their second hometown and become more involved with the cultural and civic life.

Expats

The easiest thing is make other expat friends when you come to Shanghai, but the most rewarding path is to ditch the bar scene, get out on the street with a Chinese dictionary, and start making local friends. Shanghainese people are some of the most hospitable in the world, and you will find yourself quickly surrounded with a real community that you couldn't imagine back home.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

And here are the details for you for what it is like for English teaching in Shanghai:

I came here completely fresh �- not only had I never been in China before, I had never taught before either.

http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/Article109.phtml

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Extra info:

http://www.shanghaienglishteachers.com/seta_shanghai_info.html

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

Advice from a former Shanghai hand.
Get some sort of TESOL qualification. CELTA perhaps, so at least you've got some idea of what you're undertaking!
. Then apply for a "real" teaching job. You've got a masters? An MBA could be handy in tracking down in-house or corporate work, eg language training for a hotel chain or computer company. Working in a university would give a useful introduction to the job, as well as a chance to check out the scene.
Arriving with a parchment and high hopes may see you, at best, trying to cobble together a living based on bits and pieces of unreliable work at language mills. You may also have trouble landing that very necessary residents permit.

bearcanada · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 312 Location: Calgary, Canada

Read these earlier threads. They will tell you much of what you want to know.

And Shan-Shan, why do you waste everyone's time with your foolish posts? If you don't want to contribute or help someone, why not just butt out?

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=57171&start=0

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=621082&highlight=#621082

.

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

Sorry bearcanada, but I couldn't care less what you think of my posts. Just close your eyes and scroll down next time you see Shan Shan.

judgedredd · Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

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

My mistake: I was under the impression that when asking strangers for advice, it's prudent not to first insult them.

So Bear and Judge, with all your infinite wisdom and sense of justice, could you please tell me why we should insult before requesting assistance?

judgedredd · Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

What I meant was, normal people like myself and bearcanada are not insulted by idle comments such as the one the OP made.. Especially when, if we are going to be quite honest with ourselves, its true!!

You should try taking your head out from your arse for a change.

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