Job Discussion Forums

kungfupanda · Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Posts: 24

I studied abroad in Japan in my junior year of college. I speak Japanese pretty well but recently I've been more interested in teaching in China. I just feel that there is more opportunity there for me in the long run.

Now my question is, will Chinese schools see my time spent abroad as a positive thing? Perhaps they see that I am able to adapt to a foreign culture. Or will they see it as a negative thing? I know that a lot of Chinese are anti-Japan so that is where most of my concern stems from.

Or am I just putting too much thought into my resume? Do they really just care about me being white and having a BA degree?

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

You pretty much hit the nail on the head with that last sentence.

mondrian · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject:

I don't think that most Chinese bother about this. In Dalian there is quite a large Japanese business presence and one Japanese guy even won a business award from the mayor a few years back.
IF you are white, can stand up for an hour or so in front of a class while hung-over, speak "the English" and look happy then China is for you!
Now in Korea, that most Xenophobic of nations, a hint of your Japanese expertise would be frowned upon (so omit it from your cv!)

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

bando · Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Posts: 3

Don't worry about it mate, I majored in Japanese and ended up teaching in Guangzhou. If you're at an international school then it will be a bonus otherwise being white and a graduate is enough.

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

nhat · Joined: 30 May 2009 Posts: 19

Hi!

Probably the biggest benefit for you would be the ability to pick up on Chinese reading and writing (assuming that you've studied Kanji).

As far as getting a job goes, it's probably a non-issue. If you have experience teaching ESL, or even private tutoring, then that would be something to bring up.

And as a side note, the most commonly known Japanese word among my students is "bakayarou".

sharpe88 · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 226

It most likely neither hurts nor helps that much..

IT2006 · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:18 pm Post subject:

In every one of the universities where I taught, there were Japanese teachers teaching Japanese--- even English!

One Japanese teacher was very popular because his Chinese was excellent (or so my students said). His English wasn't so hot, but then, my Chinese isn't too good either.

Re: Your CV

I agree that you should put as much into your resume as you can (all that is true, of course).

I include my business background as well as my list of publications and postgraduate work as well.

While the cynical sentiment that being white and being able to display a modicum of education appears to be a primary consideration in China, anything above and beyond that is greatly appreciated. FAOs are looking for kudos, and so are the deans of the foreign languages departments. In some schools, the string of foreign losers is so long that the credibility factor of foreign teachers can be low to nonexistent.

In the last Chinese city where I lived, there was an African American working at one of the major universities that was quite popular among students and administration alike. The guy was sharp as a tack and funny as all get-out. This, I think, disproves that NOT being white is necessarily a handicap to employment in China.

Have you done something that you're proud of? Mention it!

Are you certified in CardioPulmonary Resuscitation? Mention it! (Hey, it won't hurt. It shows that you care about others).

Master Chess player? Mention it!

Are you particularly knowledgeable in anything Chinese? Mention it in caps!

You never know what will draw the attention of the person who is in charge of hiring.

Others may argue against this and cite examples to prove me wrong, I am sure. I believe that that the more personal depth you can convey to a prospective employer, the better your chances will be of finding an appreciative employer.

Results may vary. Void where prohibited. The large print giveth and the small print taketh away. Keep away from small children, etc., etc..

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

very good advice above.

Sonnibarger · Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 320 Location: Wuhan

very true.... last year at my school... a high school dropout was hired over a uni grad based on the fact he was a good dancer... i *beep* u not... anyway after being late the first day, missing the second, and fighting with his coteacher he was fired...