Job Discussion Forums

[thedogateit]

Hello all. I'm new to the teaching thing. Recently got my TESOL cert. and started applying for jobs. The interviews and offers are starting to come in. As a soon to be first time teacher I don't want to get myself into a horrible situation. I recently got an offer from Yingxian No. 1 Middle School in Yangxian Shanxi province, a school I accidentally applied to while figuring out how another website's buttons worked. All I know about the school so far, is that they provide an apartment, a bicycle, 50 students per class, and one other foreign teacher who is from the Philippines. It looks like I'll be the only white-skinned native English speaker in town. All I've found out about the town so far, is that there is an ancient wooden pagoda. I was hoping some of the other teachers on this board may have worked there, or in similar conditions. Any advice, tales, or horror stories will be appreciated.

[sui jin]

I think as a first teaching assignment this will be really tough. If you're young you need other foreign teachers or your students to hang out with, but middle school kids are too young and too busy, and the town sounds really remote with few other foreigners. From the map it looks like the nearest big city is Datong, which is not too far from Beijing. But realistically you will be stuck in Yingxian for most of the time.

I've no personal experience of the city or province, but I imagine it to be fairly poor and polluted (acc. to Lonely Planet Datong is smog laden). Why not try for a bigger city in the east or south of China?

[qtqr888]

i know that place , i am from china , YangXian is located near Xi;an city , you know , Xi.an is a famous city of China , i have been there three years ago , i like it very much , and decided to settle down there after i gratuate, for its delicious food and kind-heated people. donot worry , if you have any problem , write to me , my e-mail: [email protected]

[donb2222]

I used to live in the Philippines, and most Filipinos are very polite and friendly, so you will probably not have a problem socializing with the other foreign teacher. A possible problem is that many of the schools work the Filipino teachers many more hours and pay them less. The school may be expecting to do the same with you.

Your social life may be very limited, and expect to hear at least 20 "hellos" every time you step out of your home. Since yours will be the only white face in town you will have very little to no privacy.

[thedogateit]

Thanks for the insight everyone. After much thought, I decided to decline the offer. There are just to many pitfalls to make me want to take it as my first teaching job. I'm still looking in other areas, and am talking with a couple of schools. When another offer is on the table I'll let everyone know.

[evaforsure]

[donb2222]

evasure:

I have not read all your posts, so I do not know the answer.
Are you from the Philippines ?

[shenyanggerry]

Thedogateit, Get into a larger center with more foreign teachers. My own preference is the north-east. People are more laid back and friendly.

Remember, the further north you go, the less dense the population and hence less pollution. The reason that there're fewer people is that the growing season is shorter. Find the balance of pollution/cold you can live with.

Anywhere the least bit south has very hot summers. Everything is a trade. Good luck in finding a happy place.

[thedogateit]

shenyanggerry, I had an interview with a college in Jilin province recently. From what I've seen on the web I think I'd like Jilin province. When I get another offer I'll start a new thread.

Thanks again for the advice everyone. I appreciated it.