Job Discussion Forums

Long ai gu · Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 135

My friend recently laughed at me when I told him that I was going back to China to teach English again(have 3.5 years experience teaching in China). He said that people were rioting because they had no jobs so i wouldn't be able to get one. QUESTION:What is the situation in China at the moment--Are there riots? Is it more difficult now to find a job as a foreign teacher?-I teach College mostly. I left China in May of 2008, how has the situation in China changed since then? I'd like to hear from people all over China==Thanx!

Neilhrd · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 233 Location: Nanning, China

Talk of riots all over China is wishful thinking by right wing anti China forces in some western countries. There have been disturbances in some places especially in the Pearl River Delta over factory closures. But the situation is nowhere near meltdown. China's GDP growth is still positive. There has been a slow down and some sectors of the economy especially low skill, low wage manufacturing for export are in trouble. But China is not in a recession and the government has huge reserves with which to stimulate recovery. People in my city, Nanning, are still spending and the situation here is calm.

As far as EFL jobs are concerned it has become a little more difficult in the last year or so. All foreign teachers in state schools have been banned and parents are becoming more concious of value for money with the private schools. But for those with solid qualifications and experience there are still jobs about and visas are still available. However the government has done nothing to regulate the scams and the level of lying and corruption is probably getting worse not better, so shop around and double check everything. Salaries vary widely but it is still possible to enjoy a good life in Nanning and the economic crisis has reduced inflation especially property prices.

My advice is give it another go. China isn't perfect but it still has a lot to offer.

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

Why would they ban foreign teachers in state schools?

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

i have heard of reports of rioting/disturbances in some "western" media, but that's because they actually happened (witnessed a relatively small scale protest myself once this past holiday). as for the so-called "right wing anti china forces" mentioned above. who are they neilhrd?

anyone who says jobs are hard to come by in this country, has no idea what they're talking about. nothing's changed in the past several months at least.

Silent Shadow · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:10 am Post subject:

I'd also like to know how you came to the conclusion that all foreign teachers are "banned in state schools."

I, for one, must be an illegal, then! Shocked

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

They rioted in a tiny town called *X in F* province when the new term began.

Reason: 6 classes that had an FT last term found themselves faced with dour Chinese teachers replacing the laowais.

The PSB had to promise 320 students to go 'butterfly-catching' 6 nice specimens of FTs.

Neilhrd · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 233 Location: Nanning, China

As far as I know the ban on foreign teacher sin state schools only applies in Guangxi not the whole of China.

The Guangxi Provincial Bureau of Education banned all classes taught by foreign teachers in state schools from last September. This merely extended a ban which has existed for many years on foreign teachers working in high schools, year 3 of middle schools and vocational schools.

At the moment this policy is being enforced to stop any classes which are part of the regular school curriculum during the regular school day from being taught by foreign teachers or following a foreign curriculum.

A few schools have apparently got round this by having elective classes outside of regular school hours with foreign teachers. But you can't get a Z visa for teaching these and those who are doing them are moonlighting from full time jobs elsewhere.

The parents were not consulted. Many are unhappy and feel that their children are being disadvantaged compared with other parts of China. The result has been an upsurge in the number of parents looking for private tutoring. this is not affected by the ban officially. However Chinese teachers load students with so much homework that they have no time to take private classes. This has been common practice for years and if anything has got worse.

bradley · Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 235 Location: China

It's still easy for foreigners to get jobs in China but there are not enough jobs for the local graduates. Some of my students who have graduated still don't have jobs.

Sugar Magnolia · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 233

Beautiful.

But, if you don't mind, could we now reguritate the F visa rules? Perhaps it would be nice to get a sticky pursuant to these scrupulous rules that adhere to people conducting conversations in English while also engaging in trade?

The way I gather from my Canadien browser is that I need a friend who will vouch for me. I'll let that one slide.

Now, boys, when are you ready?

Now, UK boys - be calm. Relax. We know what to do with you, but, you guys can be crazy.

Please calm down and tell me more about oil sands.

Yunqi

Eyrick3 · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 161 Location: Beijing, China

The OP's friend may have been referring to this:

http://www.danwei.org/front_page_of_the_day/insert_image_hereinsert_captio_13.php