Job Discussion Forums

Lanza-Armonia · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 4:23 am Post subject:

If you're white and can speak English, you have no problems. I started teaching when I was 17 with no qual'ions and/or money. Now, I will be soon going to Shanghai getting around 8000-10000 yuan. It's not hard here....

ilunga · Joined: 17 Oct 2003 Posts: 842 Location: China

Danny, what ages would you prefer to teach?
For money you should be looking at around 4000 rmb. That's if you're not in an expensive city like Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou. That's quite enough to live comfortably, eat and drink out a few times a week and save enough to go travelling during your holidays. My problem is I'm out most nights and leave myself a bit short when it comes to holiday time Sad

Some schools will throw in nice apartments, Computers with Internet, VCD/DVD players.
My apartment is ok, I have a computer but no VCD/DVD player. They're not expensive to by though. A DVD will set you back 500-600 rmb.

When you start applying you'll find some places won't take you on due to your lack of qualifications, but keep trying, you'll get there in the end.

PS I am a smoggie and i'm extremely happy Smile

Irish Blood English Heart · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 1:14 pm Post subject:

Well I taught in a primary school before (8 year olds) mainly teaching them to read, use the computers, stitch etc but I think teaching English to such young children would be a completely different kettle of fish so I think slightly older children (13-16 perhaps) would probably be a better bet?

ilunga · Joined: 17 Oct 2003 Posts: 842 Location: China

Funny you should mention 13-16 year olds. I actually think that's the worst age to teach!
It could just be because I'm in a private school though, and they're all spoilt brats.
I haven't taught University students and to be honest I don't really want to right now. I feel they should have a foreign teacher with more experience than I've currently got. I'm also not keen on the extra responsibilities that go with it, ie setting homework, preparing tests.
The girl who took over my classes from last year set a group of students homework and the kids complained. The school ended up taking that class away from her Confused

Can you imagine that happening in the U.K.?
I'm teaching Kindergarten and Primary School students at the moment and they're great. They actually listen to what you've got to say Smile

Katzwyl · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 54 Location: In Guangzhou

today in class, I was talking about a job offer that I got in China. One of the students who have already taught in China before told me:

You either teach the really little ones who will listen to everything you say and are very eager
OR
You teach the university students who are mature and are taking your English class because they want to (not forced to by their parents).

The ones in the middle are young, but they think that are mature, they give attitude and think they know everything.

She gave a shudder when she was talking about them. She strongly warned me against middle schools. Smile

Irish Blood English Heart · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 10:13 am Post subject:

lol cheers guys i'll bare that in mind, Didnt really think of it like that, though it makes sence if i was teaching in England i'd avoid that age group too! Im the same with teaching University students too, it doesnt seem fair me lecturing them on stuff i hardly know myself regarding literature etc!!!

So perhaps primary schools it is?

Onthelam · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Posts: 2

I guess I should put this on this thread since I am roughly in the same boat. I have 4 years of teaching experience, a tefl cert and three years of university study. Can I get a visa in China or will I be relegated to tourist visa type teaching?

Thanks!

nik_knack0828 · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 109 Location: Chengde, PRC

Hey,
I'm currently in China. I'm nineteen. I've completed one year of part-time studies at my local college and a TESL course.
I'm currently in Chengde (about 300,000 people) three hours away from Beijing. I came to China through a recruiter I would definitely recomend.
You can check out their web site at www.teachinchina.cn
I'm teaching college students, as I was warned about the middle school students before I came. I always thought that you needed a degree to teach kids, but I guess I was wrong about that.
As for you feeling under qualified for teaching college kids, probably all you'll teach is oral english. So listening, speaking, pronounciation and conversation. Pretty simple. That's all I teach. I don't need to go into difficult grammer rules in any detail.
Your TESL (or Celta or whatever) will probably prepare you for that no problem.
If not you can always scam lessons off the net like I do. Embarassed

I only do it because they didn't give me a textbook, so I have to fake it on my own.
I originally wanted to work in Thailand, but they wouldn't take me without a degree, so here I am happy and in China.
I'm currently making 4000 yuan a month, trying to save 2700 (70%) in order to further my education. So far I'm doing not too bad for saving, but I don't have much of a life. If I wasn't saving I could live a pretty good life here.
Hmmm.... That makes it sound like I don't have a good life. That's not what I mean. I just don't live an extravegant life. Well, I have purchased 2 pairs of pants and twelve shirts in the past month, that may be extravegant. And I do eat out and shop a lot. Hmmm... Well, anyways, life is good and I'm happy. Very Happy

Yes, apartments are usually included. With no degree and only working 14 hours a week, I am currently the highest paid foriegn teacher in my city (of the four I know). Pretty nice work if you can get it.
Oh, and I have the largest apartment of all the FTs.
So, yes, I would suggest teachinchina.cn or searching the net for jobs on your own. I did both and teachinchina gave me the best deal, so I went with them, and I'm very happy I did.
Jeez, I sound like a commercial. Well, that's good. It tells you that Mr. Dou's service was so good, that it's brainwashed me into telling you all how good he is. Smile

Good thing I teach oral english and not writing, eh? Confused

Anyways, anymore Q's and you can pm me.

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

I'll second Nikki in every aspect... her experience and mine are fairly similar (wish I was still 19 though...) Sad

nik_knack0828 · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 109 Location: Chengde, PRC

Well, thanks, nolefan.
I was going to say they could pm me, or you if they needed a second opinion, but I thought that might be too presumptuous of me. Smile

And I forgot to say that Mr. Dou didn't even need me to send any credentials in order to get my visa.

Irish Blood English Heart · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 1:09 pm Post subject:

Hey Nik, cheers for your endorsement, my problem with these recruiters is you dont know where your going to end up. I mean did you choose Chengde or just strike it lucky? As ending up in a touristy type town seems very lucky!

Nolefan isnt Tangshan where they had that huge earthquake? Think I saw some pictures of it on the net a few days ago? Did you choose to go there?

Ive e-mailed a few recruiters with my credentials and a few questions but none have replied, it strikes me they only seem to get back to you after youve made your formal application is this the way it is?

nik_knack0828 · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 109 Location: Chengde, PRC

Good question about where you end up. i can understand your concern.
I was expecting to end up in Shijiazhuang when I arrived in Beijing. The representatives from the school picked me up. We stayed the night in a hotel. The next day we set off for Chengde.
About 2 hours into the ride I decided to double check my pronounciation. So cautiously I asked, "So, is it Sher-ja-juwong??"
"No, Chengde," the head of the english department replies.
I respond with, "What?"
We then discover that Mr. Dou's office has changed the school that I was going to be teaching at.
After looking Chengde up in my trusty Lonely Planet guide, I was quite pleased with the change, but still a little surprised.
So I guess it's true that you've gotta trust them to set you up with a good school.
Mr. Dou originally sent me a contract for a middle school in Shijiazhuang. I later decided I didn't want to teach middle school students, so he sent me a new contract for a college in Shijiazhuang. But as you know I wound up in Chengde.
All I can say is that I would've been happy going to Shijiazhuang or Chengde. I had a lot of requirements that Mr. Dou fufilled completely (pay, age of students, computer with internet in apartment, half of plane ticket for 6 months, private accomodation-no roomates or sharing).
Mot of these requirements were based in the fact that my boyfriend was going to be living with me and I would be supporting him. I told Mr. Dou tat and he said no problem.
Unfortunately, I didn't appreciate the fact my boyfriend refused to get a job in order to help pay for the start up costs of his 6 month vacation. All I asked for is his help paying for half of his plane ticket. I thought this was fair considering I paid for everything else and was prepared to support him for a full 6 months. But alas, it was much too difficult for a lazy slug like him, and so we are no longer together.
But, the point of all that is, Mr. Dou helped me with any little thing I required or needed changed.
My only other complaint, which won't really be a problem for you if you plan to stay a long time, is that I'm only getting paid for 5 months, although I agreed to a six month contract before I came.
I could fight it, but I don't think it's worth it. I'm only really working for 4 and 1/2. And besides I'm already making 4 times what the regular teachers at the school are making.

How long ago did you write the recruiters? I did the same thing, and some never got back to me, while others took awhile. The ones that took too long weren't worth it. But you've got to give them some time. They may just be busy.
I would say that it's easier with a recruiter, but still try for the schools as well.
I did them both, choose the five best offers and made a chart weighing out the pros and cons of each job. Then, decided Mr. Dou was the best.
But I bet I applied to 100 (maybe more) different schools while trying to find the best deal for me.
Try both and keep your options open. If you find a good school in a nice town, go for it. If not, you always have the recruiters to fall back on.

Irish Blood English Heart · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 2:18 pm Post subject:

Cheers for all that Nikki, and thanks foe being honest about it all. In the end I might take a chance with a recruiter but if I do im more likely to do so with one from Guangxi, Guandong, Yunnan, Sichuan etc where theres less chance of being sent to Inner Mongoloia, Shanxi or Jilin etc.

Btw your boyfriend sounds like an arsehole, you are well shot of him by the sounds of it. I wouldve loved to have done this whole ESL in China thing with a partner but it isnt to be by the looks of it. The Irony is my ex was obsessed with China so if she knew she'd be very jealous im sure!!! Oh well. I never know might meet some gorgeous, intelligent backpacker chick while im working out in China Very Happy

nik_knack0828 · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 109 Location: Chengde, PRC

Hey, that's my plan too.
Just remove "gorgeous, intelligent backpacker chick" and replace it with "handsome, intelligent backpacker guy." ha ha ha Laughing

All I've found so far is one creepy FT trying to get me to sleep with him. Kinda sad, really. I p.issed him off and now no one calls me. But I told him over and over that I wasn't interested. Besides, he had the longest fingernails, ever.
Longer than mine.
Like a vampire or a cokehead.
I just couldn't handle that.
So, I'm still looking.
All the women I meet tell me I'm beautiful. My blond hair and pale skin will do that. But unfortunately it's been getting me no where with the men.
The Chinese boys are too immature and it's not tourist season for the backpackers, yet.
I guess I'll have to remain single for a little while, anyways. That's okay. Probably a good thing after the last man (boy) I was with.

Ha ha ha, and have fun when word gets around about your trip to China. I'm sure your ex will be envious. I love making people jealous. Tonnes of fun. Very Happy

Irish Blood English Heart · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 6:07 pm Post subject:

lol she'll probably think im doing it "just" to get laid, alas thats how her mind works unfortunetly. I am starting to let everyone know im off to China now though, some are envious and say stuff like "i'd love to do that" and im just like "well why the hell don't you then" and they cant answer it, fools!!

Other people including (my own mum) dont seem to care, or make any sort of deal about it at all. Theyre just not interested when I tell them as if i'm going to teach in a mining town 10 miles away or something!

As for the whole remaining single thing, well I shall think im pretty used to it, infact it will probably be better in China as everytime i'm in a bar I wont have to watch endless stick thing, made up to the eyeball girls going for complete arrogant ars*hole guys as its the social thing to do. Infact my chance of meeting an intelligent, well travelled girls are probably far higher anywhere abroad (even in China) than here in (pull some random idiot on a saturday night then never call him again) Newcastle (read my thoughts on the last page of the exotic women thread on that)!!

Anyway Nikki from what ive heard you sound a real catch so dont give up hope i'm sure some lucky guy will snap you up before you know it! Very Happy