Job Discussion Forums

[ns12045]

I'm hearing lots of recommendations for getting a job teaching at a University. I'd like to find work in Beijing and am curious about how difficult it is to get such work. I taught one semester of English at a Chinese middle school last year, I have a bachelor's degree and I will have completed a TEFL training by the time I arrive. Are these qualifications adequate for the university level? I've seen at least one university asking for teachers with a masters degree and much more experience.

Also, I'd be really appreciative to hear any suggestions of universities to contact about positions.

Cheers!

-Nic from Canada

[Lorean]

You need two years work experience to be qualified to legally work in Beijing or Shanghai. This amounts to a signed letter from your previous employer(s) with an employer "stamp". If you worked summer jobs or did co-ops totaling 2 years experience you might be able to get away with it depending on the lady at the labor bureau.

Now, that's the law.

Let's talk about China. A lot of schools may be willing to hire you to work for them on illegal visas (tourist visas, business visas, student visas). Universities will be less keen to hire you illegally... but... I know for a fact that some universities have hired teachers illegally.

Be careful if you choose to work illegally. When I was at a teaching gig in Beijing about 50% of the foreigners which I met worked illegally, and I suspect a lot of foreigners reading this forum who have been in China for a few years may have worked illegally at some point in time. I dunno the situation now, I imagine the Olympic visa clamp downs may have thinned their numbers, but China is a very dynamic place where things can change very quickly (and not always in your in favor).

Knowing what I know now, I would advise you not to work illegally. This may mean working outside of Beijing. But there are a lot of nice places to go, such as Qingdao, Chengdu, Jiangsu, etc...

Be warned that if you plan on staying in China long term, and want to build up your two years work experience, you will need your foreign expert certificate from your former employments as 'proof'. Basically, a foreign expert certificate is a red book which you get when you apply for your residence permit after you arrive in China (which you will only get if you are working legally).

[Lhenderson]

Best bet is to look outside of Beijing or Shanghai if you only have a BA.

[Itsme]

I think Westerners and Chinese have different views on the legality of doing things. In China things are sort of arbitrary and if you can get away with it it's perfectly ok.
Your prospective employer is not exceptional in his/her request.

You will probably lose out on the position if you demand all the paperwork in advance. Way too much of a headache for them and they will just find Joe Blow to take the job instead.

[james s]

If you only have a BA...

one should be so fortunate to have a BA as most in the world do not.

I you are fortunate to have graduated from a respected institution with a BA, you should be a welcome addition to any EAL/ESL school in that you have a developed understanding of the language necessary to graduate.

This sets you apart from the rest.

[YAMARI]

[Itsme]

[seekinginfo]

It seems to me that the best jobs often come through recommendations from someone you know. Then you can get a clearer picture of what the position, employer, staff, location, students, etc. are really like and if you and your perspective employer would be a suitable match. I suppose that is one of the major purposes/advantages of this forum.

I'd like to share a little of my experience as background info:

After 2+ years of teaching experience in my own country I came to China. My first job experience in country was horrible in that I negotiated my contract very poorly (naivety perhaps) and; furthermore, the contract was constantly being ignored (paydays came and went with no pay, 20-25 hours of student contact became 32) or outright changed (6000 RMB became 4500 RMB) by the administration despite FT objections. However, my students, other expats, and the experience of being in a foreign country made life in general pleasant enough for me to finish out my contract.

My second teaching position was found through a friend. It turned out to be a very wonderful experience! Both students and administration were great. I have no complaints. I would like to have stayed there another year (My husband who was working elsewhere desired to relocate).

My current position (recommended to me by a friend) has also proved to be a good experience. There have been a few minor problems, but the staff has been very accommodating with teaching schedules, supportive of classroom management/discipline techniques, and helpful in providing adequate teaching materials. The pay; however, is particularly low. And now, due to a recent addition to our family, it seems that I find myself again in the market for another position. (Although, I'm currently in the process of negotiating with my present university for a salary increase which would enable us to stay here.)

All this simply to say that I'm looking for another university teaching position offering a decent salary, clean accommodations, and supportive staff. I'm particularly interested in finding a university in Beijing; however, location isn't my top priority.

I'd be very grateful for any leads you guys pass on.

Thanks!!!

[tashidelek]

to change your visa, it depends on how close the school is with the local police office. If the school has a good relationship with the police office, they have no fear of hiring foreigners with tourist visa. In Beijing or Shanghai, many schools can do that, so it is less risck to get job legally in big cities. Many school say that the MA degree is the minimum request, but they are not will to hire such qualified people, because they wanna pay less, so if you are happy with what they want to pay, you can still get job with BA