Job Discussion Forums

[guruengerish]

I know I asked this question about two years ago, but things do change.

I'm quite interested in teaching in China, having done six years in Indonesia.

Rather than jump in at the deep end, does anyone know of a requirement for English teachers for Spring or Summer, where one could work for 3 to 6 months before deciding on a longer contract?

I'm no spring chicken, and would like to hear a few suggestions about older teachers and shorter contracts. I have a TEFLA certificate, but not a degree, and six years of teaching experience in Asia.

[guruengerish]

Well, there's a condescending reply if ever I saw one. Thank you for your words of encouragement.

It just goes to show that wisdom does not necessarily come with the degrees when they are handed out.

I consider myself reasonably well-educated, and judging by the typos, punctuation boo-boos, etc used on these pages, I often wonder who else is contributing to the forums, other than 'educated' teachers of English.

I might point out that life around you is supported by us 'non-educated' folk, and the sooner you mature and learn this, the better teacher you might become.

[7969]

if you're younger than mid-60s and no major medical problemos, then you're good to work here. seen plenty of old timers over here teaching english.

as usual, without a degree you'll have a harder time finding a job but its not impossible.

start looking at chinatefl.com as you can contact schools directly there. not such good timing right now though but no harm in trying.

[sui jin]

Why not try for a one semester contract (mid-Feb to end-June-ish) at a university in China? Decide on the city you want to work in, search for the local universities' websites, contact the Foreign Affairs Office by email or phone, and say you are ready to come over , do they have anything?

If you use a recruiter like Angelina's placement service, it may also be possible, or may take too much processing time.
Term starts next week, but if you can arrive in the next month some universities would probably consider you, especially with your previous teaching experience in Asia.
Don't be discouraged by the negative comments here, and good luck!

[bradley]

It's possible to teach one semester at a university or college here. Some schools are not strict about degrees.

[flutterbayou]

I don't think that age is an issue here, and I can't get over how insolent people have become over maturity.

maturity is always professionally valued.

To the original poster, I would say that not having a BA is a liability in China, MOSTLY because the good employers require a full degree.

Good employment requires a foreign expert certificate (little red booklet), and this can only be issued to those holding a full degree. Nowadays, CHina pushes for all teachers to obtain one.

Those who teach without degrees are often people who are hired illegally... or with schools cutting corners, and these are not jobs that keep one happy.

These jobs are, most likely, substandard.

If you check the sticky section of the China Job Journals, you'll find all sorts of general information about educational requisites for obtaining a work visa.

But as an educator with an MA and years of experience, I apologize for the rudeness others thrust, as if a degree is a license to be rude to others.

[Totemic]

[bearcanada]

I'm told Shanghai is refusing to issue a work permit to anyone over 65, regardless of qualifications, and that means no residence permit as well.

Does anyone have any firm information on this for Shanghai or other cites? It would be useful to post this.

.

[Jati]

[bearcanada]

Jati, please explain how your comment is helpful. What useful information have you added here?

[Itsme]

Ya I was asked for my diploma everywhere I went, whether the place was a public school, a private language institution, or a middle-man for private tutoring.

You could always just show up, get some sort of visa, and advertise online to students directly.
I am not sure how productive this would be though.


Thankfully the Chinese seem to have some standards in the hiring process. They are getting better with more experience. THAT is changing for sure.

[bradley]

I'm sure the lack of a degree will cause a bigger problem than age in China for visa purposes.

And China seems to respect older teachers.

[fitzgud]

As one of the older teachers here in China, I have found there to be many positive elements to being a more mature individual. I was somewhat apprehensive on my arrival four years ago, not being a very experienced teacher, wondering just how out of date I was with current day youth culture. At the college where I was first employed my apprehensions were soon laid to rest. The vast majority of the students had never encountered a foreigner prior to my arrival; few had had a foreign teacher. My initial observations were that to display ones own personality and style was a revelation to the students, they were so used to the stereotype methods employed by their Chinese teachers. I found I was the youngest person at that institution, as few students or any of my co-workers had ever had time to be young; education had consumed their entire young lives. Use your life and work experience to encourage your students to ask, to become inquisitive as they realise the limits of their own general knowledge. They will flourish, you will see a sparkle in many an eye as a student grasps that he or she has learnt something new by asking, not merely by listening and repeating. For me it is a satisfying and also a rewarding job.

The social side of life depends on your chosen location, I am not a city lover, and therefore, smaller towns are my preference. This type of place does not always offer what the younger of our brethren may crave, for few of these smaller places offer the flashing lights of the nightlife and the club scene. There are benefits in being an older teacher in these locations, for where the younger feel they must be out chasing the fairer sex, us coffin-dodgers have the attention of the many middle aged widows, divorcees, or the just grateful. They will lavish you with samples of their cooking, sewing and mending, and all so that you will continue to provide them with sexual satisfaction. It is beneficial to establish an appointment system, therefore allowing one to enjoy the occasional beer, giving your tied back a rest. I live of a very average salary, off which I spend about 30% each month. The holidays are long and plentiful; the workload is light and enjoyable. I would commend it to all consciences and responsible individuals.

[Bondi007]

I've found that most of the older teachers in China get more respect than the younger ones (for good reason). They're usually more reliable, better spoken, have more life stories, don't arrive to their morning classes tired and drunk and are generally more professional. Our school is always looking for teachers above the age of 35. They've had too many problems with teachers in their early 20s (the ones who also get the most complaints). I'm in my late 30s and have 1001 stories to share about the 40 countries I've been to and my days in the Police Force.

I would also like to apologize on behalf of Suanlatudousi's ignorance. As if a degree gives anyone the right to be rude or assume they are a better teacher than others without one. I acquired most of my 'education' from being in the working world and through travel. My degree does not make me superior. I know several teachers who don't have a degree and a lot of them are excellent teachers with a lot to offer their students. I've met a few teachers 'with degrees' who are 'as thick as a brick'. Some of them are 'challenged' in regards to speaking/writing/teaching properly.

Suanlatudousi wrote:
[/quote]Things change ? You did not get older during the past two years ?

What is your definition of being an older person? There are legal limitations (though not always followed).

No degree? Why not leave the teaching to educated folks?

[profM]

A friend of mine couldn't get rehired after a year at Xiamen University at close to 70 years old because as he was approaching his renewal they just started to use a "no employment over 65" rule of the province or the school or China. Another guy, 68, did get a renewal, though, but that was the exception, not the other way around. Many ads say 21-60 years old, putting 60 as the cut off, but I have friends who have proven that they could still get in to places like that at 61, 62, 63. Some places advertise 50 as a cut off. I would say that if you are a degreed, experienced, recommended professional, you can have your choice of a bunch of jobs in your early sixties.