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freebeacher
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 76
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 Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:03 am Post subject: TEFL Certification A Requirement Now? |
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Recently I applied to English First (EF) who are based in Shanghai but have branches in a lot of countries. I have a B.A. and a couple of years of experience teaching but do not have any TEFL certificates. EF told me I could not get a Z visa to work in China because I only had a B.A. They added this rule applies to cities, not the "country", whatever that means.
Is this a new government rule of an EF policy?
If true, is Shenzhen included in this rule? |
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kukiv
Joined: 13 Dec 2009
Posts: 328
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| Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:29 am Post subject: |
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| EF told me I could not get a Z visa to work in China because I only had a B.A. They added this rule applies to cities, not the "country", whatever that means. |
Smells a little of 'bait and switch" to me!!!!!
EF have little problem filling positions in the major cities - but are always needing recruits in what they call the country - which are also multi-million population cities - just the ones that are off the main international map. You are a likely recruit - and they can get you nibble on a big juicy worm - and as you get hungry replace it with a maggot.
A rule is a rule in China - just as there are rules about having a 4 year degree, any degree, being a native-speaker, over 60 and staying in a job for more than 5 years. If it suits any company - in any location - they can spout these to get rid of an unwanted FT or maybe veer them off in another direction.
But through the evidence of the sheer number of FT's - even in the big cities - that have a Z and but don't comply to one or more of these rules - then I believe it's pretty easy for any employer to dodge them!!!!!
In this game honesty and sincerity from the employer seems to be a rare commodity - and in this context it's a shame that EF simply didn't write -
We're afraid, because you no have EFL teaching qualification, that you're not qualified to take a job in the advertised position, but EF has many outlets throughout China which will consider your application.
Of course the cynic would say - a profit dominated company would never write such a mail since that would leave the applicant to think he could hunt after other EFL jobs in the same city - while he could be useful to one of the other outlets!!!!! |
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sharpe88
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
Posts: 226
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| Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:38 am Post subject: |
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| Actually, I believe both EF and Wall Street are both cooperating with Cambridge recently so they are looking for more qualified (ie. CELTA) instructors. I doubt it's a blanket prerequisite but they seem to be headed in that direction. |
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freebeacher
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 76
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| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you sharpe88 and kukiv.
I agree, if EF were just blunt about it I would have a better opinion of them.
Is Shenzhen considered a major city in China? Is it a tolerable place to live and teach? |
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tomstone
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Posts: 293
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| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:10 pm Post subject: |
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| EF makes up rules that THEY want to follow and then they say it's the law. |
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The Ever-changing Cleric
Joined: 19 Feb 2009
Posts: 1523
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| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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| freebeacher wrote: |
| Is Shenzhen considered a major city in China? Is it a tolerable place to live and teach? |
there's a thread entitled "Shenzhen" on the first page of the off-topic forum. have a look at it. i contributed something to that thread - i was told i should become a propaganda writer . . . |
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SnoopBot
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 740
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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| tomstone wrote: |
| EF makes up rules that THEY want to follow and then they say it's the law. |
They always put these high qualifications and standards in their advertisements. However, they panic a few months before the school terms start looking for ANY warm body to take up a position.
EF in the past has hired many that don't have a degree and even hired high school dropouts to teach their kids classes. (i've met them before and was amazed how they could bypass the current employment laws)
EF also has a poor reputation as one of the worst McEnglish mills in China.
If they demand a Celta and a PhD in TESOL , it's best to move along anyway from their whopping salary scales of 4000-7000 RMB a month to teach 50 screaming kids in a small classroom setting. |
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Jayray
Joined: 28 Feb 2009
Posts: 373
Location: Back East
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| Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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I am seeing the TEFL certification requirements on more and more job advertisements.
I agree with kukiv that pretty much anything goes as long as it works for the employer. I worked with someone whose first language wasn't even English and (as previously observed) possessed only some or none of the other requisites.
You just have to keep applying until you get a handful of takers, then take your pick. |
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SnoopBot
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 740
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Jayray wrote: |
I am seeing the TEFL certification requirements on more and more job advertisements.
I agree with kukiv that pretty much anything goes as long as it works for the employer. I worked with someone whose first language wasn't even English and (as previously observed) possessed only some or none of the other requisites.
You just have to keep applying until you get a handful of takers, then take your pick. |
I guess they can be more demanding now, has the salaries increased for those higher standards?
Didn't think so... |
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Eyrick3
Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 161
Location: Beijing, China
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| Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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| I guess they can be more demanding now |
The better positions throughout the country are starting to demand more of their teachers. The FT population in this country is really going up. I bet in a couple years time everyone will require at least a TESOL.
Sure, the average Joe Lunchbox with no TESOL, BA or experience will still be able to find a job, but it won't be a great one.
Also, I don't think it's unreasonable for schools to demand a TESOL. Any good school will want a teacher without experience to have had some sort of professional training. Having a BA and a white face, while being fine criteria for getting bums in seats, will not get students to speak English.
Anyone serious about raising the standard of English education will want to walk into the classroom confident and prepared, and few people do this naturally.
| Quote: |
| They added this rule applies to cities, not the "country", whatever that means. |
Many westerners have trouble getting their heads wrapped around this idea. China's bureaucracy is so large and disorganized that the left hand rarely knows what the right hand is doing. Different cities/provinces do indeed have different rules.
An apt analogy would be State laws in the USA. Some states have income tax, others don't. Some allow gay marriage, others don't. China is the same way. Some provinces/cities require a TESOL, some don't. |
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Moon Over Parma
Joined: 20 May 2007
Posts: 819
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| Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Eyrick3 wrote: |
I bet in a couple years time everyone will require at least a TESOL. |
Hardly. Demand outweighs supply. Maybe in ten to fifteen years.
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| Sure, the average Joe Lunchbox with no TESOL, BA or experience will still be able to find a job, but it won't be a great one. |
Most universities, and I'm talking about an overwhelming majority, don't pay well for individuals possessing PHDs. So, regardless of a degree: the pay isn't great for most, regardless of credentials.
| Quote: |
Many westerners have trouble getting their heads wrapped around this idea. China's bureaucracy is so large and disorganized that the left hand rarely knows what the right hand is doing. Different cities/provinces do indeed have different rules. |
| Quote: |
| An apt analogy would be State laws in the USA. Some states have income tax, others don't. Some allow gay marriage, others don't. China is the same way. Some provinces/cities require a TESOL, some don't. |
Well said. |
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