Job Discussion Forums

UofA09 · Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Posts: 6

I graduated from college in 2009 and am interested in teaching in China. I emailed a school in Chengdu (one of the cities I'm interested in working in) about potentially going there for a job and they emailed me back saying that there is no way I could get a working visa because I don't have 2 years of work experience post-graduation.

I'm wondering if this is really a rule or if this particular school just doesn't want to hire people with less experience and is using it as an excuse. Thanks.

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

who knows? it could be anything, but you have to be prepared to expect and accept this kind of thing when you come to china.

here's one rule that's almost universal here: keep trying and you'll find something.

you may not end up in the place you want to be working, but that's all part of it. once you've been in the country for awhile, you can look around more and set yourself up almost anywhere you like.

dharma86 · Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 187 Location: Southside baby!

Yes I have seen this on more than one occasion for several schools in Sichuan province, that you require 2 years working experience.

If you want to work there I guess you've just got to find the right school, or easier still, just look in another province.

drjtrekker · Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 251

For Chegndu Uni's, most likely true....as well as some outside chengdu but in Sichuan, mine for example.

That being said, I bet u can still get in somewhere there, i.e. language mills...or work through Sunny's, but they are low-down dirty dogs....hehe...

p-t work at the mills dont look at ur visa....so im told from someone that does side work there.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Did you EVER do any student teaching? ANYTHING where you "led" a class? Spin what you have into experience.

UofA09 · Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Posts: 6

I assisted an Oceanography professor for a semester, that's it. I don't have experience, my degree is in Political Science, and I don't have a TEFL/CELTA, although I'm willing to get one if necessary.

Pretty much, I have no experience, but I'm still interested in teaching and feel I would be good at it, just need to get a job. I know people with my lack of credentials get hired in Korea left and right, but I'm hoping I can pull this off in China. Thing is, though, that I need to get a contract/visa before I go over there, so I hope I can find a school to do this for me. I'd be willing to be an illegal in a place like Thailand, where you can get away with doing visa runs, but not in China.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Okay, did you ever help other students? Spin, man, spin!!! You can dig up SOMETHING, I'm sure! Before I started teaching ESL, I was a music teacher in the US and an assistant to professors of English and Math. Some of my music students spoke English as their second language. I had to "tutor" them in music AND English.......I'm not saying that you should lie, but, y'know.......(by the way, "UofA", that wouldn't be "University of Alaska", would it?)

powerrose · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Shenzhen, China

If you've never taught before, you should volunteer with immigrants or get a TEFL just to get a feel for it.

I have a Poli Sci degree and did the JET program. It was intense, but awesome. However, I volunteered with immigrants and did a summer English camp in Europe as an assistant beforehand.....

thessy · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 111 Location: Xi'an

The two year "rule" seems to be quite standard - all around China, not just Sichuan. Whether it's a rule or guideline, I don't know.

I wouldn't condone "lying" but work experience doesn't have to be a formal 9am-5am full time job. It's not going to be verified, your "employers" are not going to be called for a reference. Again I would never condone lying, but as john mentioned above, surely you can find *something* that could be spun to be something in the realm of work experience. It need not be relevant experience, it's just a visa/SAFEA/whatever requirement that you have two years of some sort of experience doing something resembling a "job".

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

What I'm seeing advertised lately is jobs requiring two years' ESL teaching experience. Do some only require two years of "any" work experience?

UofA09 · Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Posts: 6

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Jayray · Joined: 28 Feb 2009 Posts: 373 Location: Back East

UofA09,

I have worked with people whose credentials couldn't approach yours. You need to be more creative. This is what college should have done for you: to convince others that you are what you say you are.

Good luck.

80daze · Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 118 Location: China

It really all depends on how well your school knows the PSB. This is China and it's all about who you or in this case they (your perspective employer) knows.

I've heard of this rule been bent by a school in order to get a teacher. Just keep applying and you'll get something.

As for getting a certification - I highly recommend it! (CELTA, Trinity TESOL or SIT)

keeperofpythons · Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 152 Location: zhu san jiao

I absolutely echo the rest of the aforementioned thoughts. I had a couple part time jobs during college and a job for about 6 months after graduation and it didn't all add up to exactly 2 years. I ran into a similar issue with some of the first employers that I contacted and I was given the same advice. I tutored various students in French during my University years and BAM, a few months later - FEC and RP teaching at a University in Taiyuan. Think a little harder and you'll make it work without blatantly lying.