Job Discussion Forums

samch · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject: newbie needing advice

I am currently in my 5th year of teaching and i have a Bed degree in teaching as well as an advanced Certificate in Learning difficulties. I am married with a one year old and my husband and i are really intersted in a change... we therefore have decided to go to China / taiwan for me to teach - he will study and look after the little one...
I know the school year is just about to start so we will probably be looking at 2010/ 2011 school year and i am intersted in what ever position i can get that offers me the most money as we would like to save as well as travel as much as possible.
Has anyone got any advice on what to look for? were to look? when is hiring season?

Sugar Magnolia · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 233

Stay home.

Yunqi

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

My advice, in two parts, is as follows:

1. disregard the previous post.
2. just look around this forum for a little while. You've got time to kill till next year so read as much as you can, and go back into the archives of this forum as well. tons of information there and any question you'll have will already be answered in there somewhere.

samch · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:25 pm Post subject:

ver negative sugar magnolia? reason being??

Renegade_o_Funk · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 125

SM said the same thing in another thread. I think SM is just bored & trolling, SM can't actually be trying to get banned b/c there are more productive ways to do that than merely saying "stay home" hey SM how about "staying off the net" Idea

As for the OP - You and your husband want to travel around China, correct ? You are probably not young thrill seekers wanting to party all night in Shanghai or Beijing , so those two city's are out.

The sichuan province is a very beautiful area, home of the Panda I believe. It has lots of natural attractions that the industrial city's of the East Coast lack. http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&q=sichuan+scenery&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=18

As for the hiring season - the hiring season is right now, that is for September 1st 2009. Hiring season for next summer will be in may/june, and hiring for next fall will begin around January, and start to heat up all winter & summer right up to a couple days past the time school starts as Chinese employers scramble to get FT's.

Sugar Magnolia · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 233

This is not trolling, this is the truth - why on Earth someone would teach in BJ 2 years ago, return home, which is where I'm not, to work on their Masters and then "ink" a new contract in BJ for September is beyond my imagination.

Positive Thinking prevails.

I've been here for 5 years and know what I'm typing about. In the end, you'll all be better off staying home. I will eventually return there.

I certainly wouldn't return here after paying for a Masters degree. But, to each his/her own.

I guess "negativity" is in the mind of the reader - how "Stay Home" can be deemed negative is a good question.

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

If you're from S.A you may encounter difficulties getting a visa then FRP as many cities only can get the above for those from G.B, Canada, U.S.A, Aus/N.Z.

Cheers

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

cblack76 · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 26

Since you do have quite a bit of time, I'd recommend preparing a resume now, sending it out to as many schools as possible, and seeing what types of offers you get.

Though you won't be accepting any of the positions, after awhile you'll have a good idea as to what to expect.

The "best" positions in China generally require experience and a degree. A TESOL may help, but with someone with your experience and credentials, you'd be better off taking the TESOL for the experience and education rather than the credential, though some places do pay extra (up to 500 RMB/month) for teachers with a TESOL. I've also heard that, though not enforced, it's a requirement for getting a visa.

Renegade_o_Funk · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 125

samch · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 6:29 am Post subject:

SUGAR MAGNOLIA - i think my description of myself was maybe miss guiding - i don't have my masters i just have a bed and a advanced certificate... no student loans as studying teaching in sa when i did was very affordable - so hubby and i are just 30 somethings wanting to experience life somewhere else...

Teachers get paid VERY little in SA - i am at a independent school therefore get the most i would be able to with my experience and from what i have seen in the forum - with my qualifications i should be able to earn a pretty good wage in china and taiwan???

here we can't save - especailly not on one persons salary - so we are willing to try - might be tough but anything new is tough??

willing to take on the challenge if the numeration is worth it?? anyone got an idea of the going rate for 2009/2010 year?

Sugar Magnolia · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 233

I think some people actually do spend too much time on the internet, I do wish both the Funky Renegade and Ms. SA my best.

Have fun and think positively!

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

OP, I've been here for about six years. I have a hobby and working here allows me to enjoy it. Were it not for that hobby, and no other agenda, I doubt that I would still be here. Parts of China are still quite barbaric. Great deal of racism here against non Asian people.

Travelling is a nightmare. The noise, the crowds, the uncertainty...Not my game at all.

With three of you, if you get in a bad situation, it won't be easy to get out.

May I suggest that you consider Japan or possibly Taiwan. A place like Kyoto in Japan is an absolute paradise compared to the cities in China I've visited.

My view.

samch · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:28 am Post subject:

taiwan is my other option - will keep looking into it - thanks

living&learning · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 245