Job Discussion Forums

mnguy29 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 155 Location: USA

I am a qualified, experienced teacher from America looking for a teaching job in China. I have experience teaching in China and USA. I have a BS degree in teaching. I am interested in teaching at the University level or possibly a very good high school or international school. I have tried writing directly to some select Universities and schools but have had little response. I am considering contacting one of the agencies. There are so many to choose from and I know that some are much better to work with than others who are only in it for the commission money they make and will tell you anything. I know of Perlandas Education in Shenzhen pelcc.com, networkesl.com from Daves ESL, anesl.com, eslteachersabroad.com, tefljobschina.com and I know there are many, many more. If anyone has worked with any of these or other good ones, I would certainly appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks so much for your input!
Also, are the schools all hiring now? I would certainly think so!?
BR

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

If you are certified to teach in the U.S., the only agency you should be dealing with is one of the perhaps two such agencies in that country which will place teachers in international schools abroad (Try http://www.iss.edu/edustaff/jobs.html). They charge a fee for this. Any Chinese agencies are useful only insofar as you cannot read the online job ads for yourself, or you would simply prefer to share what can approach half of your already paltry monthly salary with them for the duration of your contract while possibly being farmed out to multiple employers simultaneously.

mnguy29 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 155 Location: USA

Thanks China Pete. However, I am not what you would call a certified teacher in the USA and I have not taught here full time for two years as this website says is required. I do have a BS degree in teaching and many years of on-call and short-term teaching here. Also, two years in China. Any other ideas, suggestions?

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

"I am not what you would call a certified teacher in the USA and I have not taught here full time for two years as this website says is required." -- Broepke

Then you may need to just apply directly to schools, stressing your major. Avoid agents in China, where practical. But be aware that, should you fall into the "Oral English" teaching pool, you will be in competition with many others like yourself. The salaries for doing this in China can be risible. However, if you a willing to work for peanuts (�4,000-6,000 per month, plus accommodation), there are still lots of jobs available.

If all of the above seems encouraging to you, great! Just be aware that if you are looking for the kind of professionalism that you may have missed out on in your own country, forget it. Outside of a few select programs at some schools, which you will likely need additional experience and/or credentials to land anyway, this industry is almost totally de-professionalized.

mnguy29 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 155 Location: USA

Ok, my preferred city in China is Xiamen which is where I have applied for most of the positions. I have applied directly but have not heard much. I ran into a Chinese agent in Xiamen online yesterday who says he can help me find jobs there. I told him I am skeptical of agents because I had a bad experience with one. I am trying to decide if I should use him for not. Thoughts on this?

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

if you want a job, you need to widen your search to more than just xiamen. if you limit yourself to one small geographical area your chance of success is limited. this strategy applies everywhere, not just china. the key is to get your foot in the door somewhere, anywhere. then you can start looking for and getting better jobs in better locations. i also think since xiamen is supposedly such a pleasant place to live (never been there myself) that esl jobs will be harder to come by there.

mnguy29 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 155 Location: USA

I have also applied at a few in Guangzhou and considering Shenzhen. What do you think about the Chinese agent?

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

I worked for an agent once before, and I didnt really like the experience. but that was a combination of my inexperience in esl and her dishonesty/inability to manage people properly.

I've never used an agent since and I've managed to find four different jobs with relative ease. As long as that continues I'll never use an agent again. But if one is having difficulty finding a job and if you really want one here, then it looks like you may have little choice. Hopefully you can find a trustworthy agent that leads to a decent job. But like I said, once you get your foot in the door, no matter how you achieve that, things get easier once you've been here awhile and make some connections. Meaning: use an agent to find the first job then after that you should be able to do it all on your own.