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Phyrx
Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Millbrook, AL
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Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:44 am Post subject: Question about Beijing |
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So, I am ready to start my first teaching experience in China. Everything sounded great at first. I have a friend that lives there. I have known her for over 4 years. She speaks perfect English as well as Mandarin (she is chinese). I visited her/Beijing in October of 2008 and really decided that this is where I wanted to teach and live.
I have my TESOL cert. but no TEACHING experience; although, I do have experience with children. I have been working at an arcade as the assistant manager for over 5 years.
Here is where the problem lies. I do not have a BA degree. So from what I understand, I can not live in Beijing. Is this correct? Or is there some way around this? Beijing is really where I would feel most comfortable.
Please fill me in with any experiences you may have had or any info you can on this subject. Thank you in advance! |
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mike w
Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: Beijing building site
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Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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Totally untrue. You may just find that it could limit you a little in finding employment. |
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thefuzz
Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 271
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Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, it will be a little hard to get a job, but eventually you'll be able to find a school that will hire you. You should check out "The Beijinger" online magazine for job listings. Here is a link:
http://www.thebeijinger.com/classifieds/employment/English-Teaching
Remember that you first job might not be the best out there, but once you get some teaching experience and network more around Beijing, better opportunities will be available to you. |
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Phyrx
Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Millbrook, AL
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:47 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the responses.
I read that you can not legally get a residence permit without a BA degree.
Does anyone know anyone else that is currently teaching and living in Beijing without a BA? |
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mike w
Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: Beijing building site
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:00 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
I read that you can not legally get a residence permit without a BA degree. |
Don't know where you read this, but it just isn't true. There are plenty of teachers in Beijing without BA's - and they have no problems living here. |
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chinatwin88

Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 379 Location: Peking
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:15 am Post subject: |
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FRPs are given to a variety of people for a variety of reasons. The FExP Book could be the reference you�ve heard given as it is a requirement for most positions to have a BA in the related field that your working. |
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Phyrx
Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Millbrook, AL
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:21 am Post subject: |
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Thank you guys very much for the help. This has really brightened things up for me.
Now I will continue my search for a job in Beijing. So far I haven't had any luck.  |
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The Ever-changing Cleric

Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:31 am Post subject: |
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join sites like Beijing Stuff and start networking yourself. It's free and there are some helpful people on there. |
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chinatwin88

Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 379 Location: Peking
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:35 am Post subject: |
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Things may lighten up in a few months. ECC has given you good advice. Another way is simply to come here and find a job and then apply for the visa in Hong Kong. |
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The Great Wall of Whiner

Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing
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Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 8:27 am Post subject: |
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U'll B OK. Tons of PPL in BJ without a BA. NP! |
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Renegade_o_Funk
Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 125
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:32 am Post subject: |
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Phyrx wrote: |
Thank you guys very much for the help. This has really brightened things up for me.
Now I will continue my search for a job in Beijing. So far I haven't had any luck.  |
Beijing officially wants people to have 2 years teaching experience, a B.A., and some kind of ESL certificate. At my school, half the teachers have never taught before, most of them have a B.A. , although I don't know them all too well yet.. Most just took some kind of ESL class in college that counts as a certificate.
My suggestion to you if you are having trouble finding a job - lie. Photoshop up a B.A. degree or have friend do it, change your work history some if you have too. The chinese do not check work history refrences, or verify that you actually graduated. You honestly do not need a B.A. , teaching experience, or an ESL certificate if you are a native English speaker, that's all that counts. There is a 95% chance you will speak English better than your boss, or any of your students can ever hope to.
As people have mentioned there are lots of people in Beijing working without a degree, or previous experience, and this is the route many of them took to get here. Once you arrive you can start telling the truth after your first teaching job, but it might take a lie or two to get your foot in the door.  |
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