Job Discussion Forums

jiangsu · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 43

Hello! (Nihao!)

I am seriously contemplating teaching English (preferably business English to business people, but would consider posts in high schools or universities) in China. Slightly outgrown my current role, I feel the options in the UK are not so good right now. I have no dependents, I don't own my apartment, and I have only a small debt that I could eliminate before the next academic year starts, so I have thought "Why not go for it?" I have visited Shanghai on business, and travelled in the area on holiday (Suzhou, Nanjing etc) and love the area. I am not necessarily looking for a role in Shanghai (could be too hectic) but one around there, because I know I like the area, its cuisine, its temperature (warm summers, but not too hot!) and it is relatively easy to get to from the UK (one flight a day from Heathrow with BA, no changes).

My question is this - how much should I be reasonably expecting to earn in Shanghai and/or Nanjing/Wuxi/Suzhou/Hangzhou?

The most important elements of my cv are - I am TEFL-certified from a recognised and registered provider (not Celta unfortunately, couldn't afford the time off work). I am gaining experience now by volunteering to teach English in the local area in the evenings, so hopefully can have that experience on my resume. UK national, born and raised. Speak English with a slight accent but nothing to worry about.

Over five years experience classroom teaching in corporate trainer role, training public sector officials and high-level managers in communications software and stakeholder engagament.

I have Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons 2:1), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science (MSc - Information Systems) degrees from recognised and prestigious UK institutions (not Oxbridge, but the rung 'just below'). Also achieved A grade in English Language A-Level and A* in English Language GCSE.

Well-travelled (four continents) with knowledge of and sensitivity to a diverse range of cultures.

I am an effective teacher, results-oriented, with strong credentials and experience in a delivery-focused environment - outstanding written references have been provided.

If you could help to answer this, it would be greatly appreciated - then I know which jobs I should be looking at and which I should definitely reject (I am in no immediate rush to move so can wait for the right opportunity).

Also, any practical advice on teaching in China (pitfalls etc) people can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Any advice you can give me on how to increase my employability would be of great help!

Thanks

DHAPhotography · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:39 am Post subject:

Similar posts such as yours have been answered ad nauseum. You have a degree. They don't really care if it's in brain surgery or making Legoland. Take a good picture of your degree(s), work up a short and simply resume, get a recent snapshot of those "blue" eyes, wait for the state schools and universities to start advertising, and apply to many. I'm sure you'll get offers ranging from 3,500 RMB to 6,000 RMB. Pick one and come enjoy China with all its frenetic activities, double standards, warm family values, great food, and destinations you will not find in the Hamptons. Cheers, Mate.

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

Don't forget to check into corporate training companies in big cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen. You can earn 250rmb per class and more, but you have to suffer the tedium of daily commuting. Here are a couple you can check out:

www.twallison.com
http://www.excelliance.com.cn/english/Recruitment/faq.htm

There are ways to rise above the standard of mediocrity many here seem to espouse, that being an English teacher in China is a dead-end job with no earning power or chance of advancement. Of course, you have to live and work in a big city and take vacations between corporate training gigs. The sky's the limit if you have these kinds of skills and qualifications:

1)native English speaker. 2) university degree or equivalent. 3) understand adult learning theory, have experience designing and conducting training, and understand how training can enhance employee and corporate performance. 4) enthusiastic, friendly, respectful of different cultural values, and with excellent presentation skills. 5) dedicated to providing outstanding customer service, and believe that training can and should be fun.

I think excellent presentation skills are probably the most important. It's like being a professional motivational speaker who combines charisma and a dynamic personality with the tools of the trade, and earns a high salary for the kind of skill sets that so few others can bring to the table.

So many teachers here become complacent and somewhat cynical about being a "lowly" and "easily replaceable" English teacher in China. There are opportunities to make our jobs as teachers/trainers anything we want them to be, or we can also kick back and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle with plenty of free time. I think it's all good as long as we stay positive and remain true to ourselves.

Sure, you can earn 3.5-6K a month teaching at a state school or university in China. With the right stuff (positive energy, attitude and skill sets) you can earn a lot more!

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

jiangsu · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 43

Thanks for all the replies. Sorry if people have posted similar things.

Alter Ego, your post was very helpful, especially the things I need to look to try and get on my CV.

jiangsu · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 43

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

I'd like to ask why you're focussing so much on teaching English.

With the following elements to your CV:
-MBA (<-- this one especially)
-Masters degree
-experience in corporate training / classroom environment

You should be looking along other avenues, whether it be teaching business qualifications, teaching business English to corporates, or something similar.

I would put your earnings potential at 10-30K RMB per month. If you had experience teaching an international qualification (IGCSE, IB, A-level, others in Accounting/Business etc. that I don't know), that would be even better, as there's a lot of demand for good quality teachers in those fields.

Admittedly, it will be difficult to get a good job straight away so you could use a basic English teaching job as a stopgap.

Comments along the lines of "they don't care about your degree" may seem cynical but are generally accurate if we're talking about teaching conversational English in Universities. You're just a white face. Not to say it can't be a good thing to do that job well, and yes you can enjoy it, but it sounds like you're looking for something that actually uses your skills.

Just some thoughts.

jiangsu · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 43

Waxwing, thanks so much for your post.

Well, I would like to teach something business-related, but how possible is it? I am not sure there are so many opportunities in China, but I will be sure to have a better look.

Regards the MBA, MBAs are ten-a-penny nowadays and although I feel I have gained a great deal in terms of business acumen and personal development by doing one, unless you are a top-decile Harvard or Wharton MBA they are not much use in the current climate where no-one is really recruiting. But I hope I can use it for a bit of leverage on salary.

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

Afroste · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 15

If you're serious, I'd recommend picking an area and taking a vacation there. Visit the local businesses and talk to them. Most (if not all) the best jobs that need people with high qualifications and business type knowledge are gotten from actually being there.

Worst case scenario you spend some money and have a great vacation. To be honest, a lot of Chinese companies over there look for people like you - they just don't know where to start. It's a kind of you go to them scenario.