Job Discussion Forums

Hawaiiana · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

I am just in the beginning phases of preparing to apply to teach ESL in China. I want to teach next year after I graduate from college. I have researched extensively but need some advice. I've read a lot of these posts and it's great to see how helpful everyone on this forum is. So if anyone has some pointers, please feel free.

Firstly, I've researched a lot of programs which guarantee ESL jobs in China such as EF. I've read that EF is a trap and not worth the money, but I've found some other programs that seem possibly promising. One program guarantees a job in one of the many Shenzhen public schools with accommodation and airfare reimbursement. It also provides 3 weeks TEFL training in Beijing, resulting in a TEFL cert and train ticket to Shenzhen. The salary is 5000rmb per month with 4000 travel bonus after a year. Are programs like these all scams and not worth looking at? Is Shenzhen a great city to live in if I've never been to China and want to live amongst some historical/cultural sites?

Also, if I were to search for a job myself, is some type of TEFL certification recommended? I have experience as a private ESL tutor for young kids. Should I invest in an online TEFL 100-hour course? I can't afford much else.

So basically, my questions are:
1) Are all programs that guarantee ESL jobs in China not worth it?
2) Is Shenzhen a good city to live in?
3) Should I get TEFL certification and if so, should I do it online or in China?

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

1 - Couldnt say how good the program is without knowing full details. How much it costs, how many hours a week you have to work for your salary, what type of training is provided on the course, and is the certificate likely to be recognised by prospective employers in the future.

2 - If you are interested in history and culture, Im not sure ShenZhen is the place ... I dont know, but it strikes me as more representative of modern China, developing, industrial, etcetc

3 - TEFL Certs. OK, online certs arent recognised at most places. This is more true of other countries than China though. In honesty, most of the places that will take you with an online cert, will also take you without one. Its unlikely the online cert will be seen as desirable in most places. Is it worth spending $200 on a cert that is worthless and carries no real value? If you intend to stay in EFL and work elsewhere, you may find yourself having to take a real course later. I know, because that is exactly what I had to do! With hindsight, I would have been better off saving the �200 I spent on an online course with i-i, and using the money towards the �975 Trinity course I needed to take last year.

Interestingly enough ... since taking a Trinity course, I also feel my teaching has improved x10

Lipps · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 45

I got mine through the BESI. Actually it was a TEFL Institute course but cheaper going through BESI I got the same course for something like $200 cheaper.

They don't advertise it very well, and I think they do those courses for the teachers in their own program.

They offer two flavors, I did the pro course. The cheaper one is a 50 hours online, self paced course.

BESI TEFL

word

Sugar Magnolia · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 233

I disagree about the online TEFL certificate. It seems to me that most schools in China now want to see some sort of certificate. Perhaps you may learn more from Trinity or CELTA, but, if all you want to do is "teach" Oral English for 2 or 3 years, why spend $1000 when $200 would get you the job.

Besides that, I earn the same at my school that "real teachers" make. It has been written on this website before, most schools will pay you a bit more for a Masters degree, but, is the 500 rmb, maybe even 1k rmb, worth spending $10k or more USD for?

As I typed above, most schools want to see a certificate. If someone applies for a job from overseas and has one, while another person doesn't, most likely the school will hire the person with the certificate, whether it be Trinity or i-i.

Hawaiiana · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

The total program is $2000 USD. The Shenzhen program offers 4 weeks Mandarin and TEFL training at Peking Uni, lodging in Beijing, a "TEFL in China Certificate" at the end of the 4 weeks, and the train ticket to Shenzhen at the end of training. They place you in a public high school in Shenzhen for 5000RMB a month, a private apartment, and a travel bonus of 4000RMB at the end of the 10 months. They also provide Mandarin lessons throughout the year and airfare reimbursement.

Does this sound good you think? I'm just worried about living in Shenzhen because I really want to see some traditional Chinese culture

Sugar Magnolia · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 233

If you'd rather not live in Shenzhen, you might be able to find a job at a university in an area that you'd prefer to live in via www.chinatefl.com

There are numerous other websites that offer jobs, such as www.eslteachersboard.com

I am familiar with the program that you mentioned. 5 years ago they were charging $1200. I believe they do offer "support" and you will meet other foreigners that you could become friends with, if that is important to you, so that you wouldn't feel lost in China. But, as others may say, you can find a job in China without paying.

I think the key is what do you mean by airfare reimbursement. If they will pay for a round-trip ticket plus entrance to the different sights in Beijing etc..for the $2k - then in my opinion it is worth it. If you have to pay $2k and for the ticket that they reimburse, then you might want to look elsewhere.

No matter where you live, you won't have much time during the regular week to travel, perhaps a weekend visit to a nearby city, such as Hong Kong in the case of Shenzhen, but, you will have 1 week off for the Oct. 1st National Day holiday and approximately 6 weeks during the Spring Festival to visit the sites you hope to see.