| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Hadit
Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 109
|
 Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:48 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
Hi, I have a BA and am wanting to get a uni job for the August start, which will be my intro to ESL, although I will have my CELTA by then. I was planning to start contacting various schools directly next month and into April and May, based on what I've read previously. However Jayray's words put me off a bit on this, and I wonder if as a first timer I should consider working with a recruiter. I am looking at the South and Southwest area now, ideally close to Kunming if possible if anyone has any tips for schools. I am willing to work in smaller cities.
One aspect about direct contact that concerns me is that some universities do not have permission to hire foreigners right?, they're not big enough? I don't want to get swindled into some illegal work, but I guess that can be solved by asking for the contact of other foreigners working there. Do some uni's only have one foreign teacher?
After May 21, I will be in Asia, so I could actually go to China ahead of time and interview personally. The thing with this is that I don't know the logistics of the Chinese visa. Could I go look for work on ground for a month, get my visa extended, and then when given a contract still get another Z-visa and eventual work permit?!
It would be nice to hear of recruiter's names that actually worked well, for instance who do you like Jayray? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
lmarkotan
Joined: 05 Dec 2009
Posts: 8
Location: Slovakia
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
[quote="kukiv"]
| Quote: |
| But that all being said, the warning about recruiters are valid. Avoid the Chinese Culture Center in S.C., Network ESL, AITA |
Lipps - why should we avoid these recruiters - after all we have one poster telling us that Network ESL are the best thing since sliced-bread - and you're telling us to give them a miss!!!!!
Anybody else confused?????????
Yes, I'm confused too. Network ESL was recommended to me by someone, but I was discouraged from using Horizon ESL China. Do you have any experience with Horizon?  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jayray
Joined: 28 Feb 2009
Posts: 373
Location: Back East
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hadit:
These are just my experiences and opinions.
I think that the majority of people who have enlisted the help of a recruiter have had good experiences.
My gripe is that they usually know NOTHING about the school.
Another gripe is that they seem not to possess much sense or experience regarding credentials.
Suscribe to ESLJOBS.COM. You'll be sent info about many different employment opportunities. Several jobs may be handled by the same recruiter, but you'll have a lot of contacts to choose from. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Austeach2010
Joined: 24 Dec 2009
Posts: 56
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 3:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Network ESL are great!!!!! I deal with Chris Johnson and he has been most professional at all times. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
evolving81
Joined: 04 May 2009
Posts: 135
Location: Tampa
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 1:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Since the thread about Horizon is locked I will post my response here...
I've been trying to use Horizon to get a job but it doesn't seem to be working. I'm finishing my MA in Applied Linguistics this semester and they still seem to want me to get a TESOL/TEFL certificate. What is so marvelous about these certificates that they are somehow better than two years of graduate study in TESOL? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gilka
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
Posts: 54
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
Recruiters are. so. annoying.
But, it seems some people expect more out of them than I do. I don't need a mommy, I need someone to find job offers for me. If recruiters could do that without being insufferably annoying, I would use them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
skuser
Joined: 11 Jun 2010
Posts: 8
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 3:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
| After researching this site and others about getting a TEFL job in China, I was under the impression that recruiters were to be avoided and that its best to directly contact the school. Is it recommended to search for university jobs by directly contacting the school by email? Do most FAOs prefer to use a recruiter or go with the direct hire? Looking to get my first teaching job in a Chinese uni and am now thoroughly confused by this thread lol, any help will be appreciated! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ymmv
Joined: 14 Jul 2004
Posts: 387
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 3:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
| evolving81 wrote: |
| I'm finishing my MA in Applied Linguistics this semester and they still seem to want me to get a TESOL/TEFL certificate. What is so marvelous about these certificates that they are somehow better than two years of graduate study in TESOL? |
The SAFEA requirements are:
Bachelor degree or higher; and either:
a. Two years teaching experience, OR
b. TEFL certificate
Right or wrong, good or bad, the TEFL cert. substitutes for the two years teaching experience which, since you are graduating this semester, presumably you are lacking. That's probably why they are asking for it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
evolving81
Joined: 04 May 2009
Posts: 135
Location: Tampa
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 4:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
I can understand that. I'm sure you learn much more doing a 120 hour TEFL certificate program than you would in two years of graduate school...  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SnoopBot
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 740
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 2:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sounds like they ARE RETARDED (Recruiter).
No way does a 120-hour TEFL cert trumps a MA/MS in APL.
However, if the degree is from an online source (not traditional study) they might require some other credentials.
Strange? When did those standard McJobs in China start becoming picky?
If a recruiter told me I needed a "TEFL Cert" after my 3-year MAEd in TESOL, I would look elsewhere.
It looks like they don't know exactly what they are doing or part of the story is missing here.
Best, just look for another recruiter. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
evolving81
Joined: 04 May 2009
Posts: 135
Location: Tampa
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 2:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
No, it's not an online MA program. It is in person and required two internships. I've got a several hundred page portfolio if they'd like proof.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SnoopBot
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 740
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| evolving81 wrote: |
| No, it's not an online MA program. It is in person and required two internships. I've got a several hundred page portfolio if they'd like proof. |
Go with another recruiter!
In 2004, I went to a Beijing job fair and was told I needed a "TESOL Cert"
when I was looking at various positions and opportunities before I extended my contract at my university.
I tried to explain to the booth workers (all inexperienced admin types) that a MA in TESOL was a complete degree program (3-years vice 120-hours) They had NO clue what it was, or the type of courses listed on my official transcripts. (The location was desirable, my only reason for discussing the degree and info with them)
I found out they NEVER had an applicant with this degree apply with them.
A few tables down, they had a joint-university project that had a visiting US professor that did know what a MAEd TESOL degree consisted of.
Better job, good pay, 6-months later I got a promotion working with them- worked out in the end.
Moral of the story: Dodgy institutions with low pay and poor administration staff will not know the difference, but a better school, recruiter, program manager will know.
Go with a completely different recruiter or visit universities in person for your potential job position. You shouldn't be getting this run-around with a M.APL degree! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
