Job Discussion Forums

[B0RGNINE]

Hello all,

I have some questions about finding university work in China, but before I start, I just need to mention that I cant' get the search function to work on my computer for some reason. I've tried three different browsers (Firefox, Chrome, and Explorer) and all I get is a blank white screen. Anyone else have this problem? I'm assuming it's not a problem with Dave's search engine, but something going on with my computer. Anyway... just had to mention that before I have 10 people berate me for not knowing how to/being too lazy to perform a search.

I'm interested in working in Taiwain. I know there is generally work for English teachers there, but I'm more interested in teaching adults, and more specifically, doing university work.

About me (list style to save time/space... I tend to be long-winded):

AGE/SEX/MARITAL -

36/male/single without children or dependants

EDUCATION -

MA (Curriculum and Instruction - TESL)
BA (English Lit.)


QUALIFICATIONS -

Colorado State Teaching License (Secondary English Language Arts)
Colorado State Professional Teaching Endorsement (TESL - Linguistically Diverse Education)

EXPERIENCE -

April 2010 � Present: teaching English conversation classes at a private language school Chiba, Japan

April 2009 � August 2009: Taught accredited English classes at a college in Kawasaki, Japan

January 2006 � August 2008: Taught English for Academic Purposes at a university Intensive English Program in Denver, Colorado, USA

July 1999 � July 2002: Was in the JET program as an ALT in Sapporo, Japan

PUBLICATIONS -

not published

-----------------
I'm currently trying to find a university position in the Tokyo area (because I speak Japanese and have an established social circle) but competition is really tight right now for uni positions, and I need to consider other options if things don't work out here.

My education and qualifications I know aren't bad, but there are a lot of people out there with similar quals but who have more experience than me. And I'm not published (I may start working on this soon, but even so, I doubt anything will be ready to include on my CV before the spring which is when my contract is up here in Japan). Unfortunately, the schooling for the teaching license, ESL endorsement and my MA wasn't cheap, and I have some extremely hefty student loan debt in the States. I wouldn't be so concerned about money otherwise and would consider teaching anywhere I think I might be happy living regardless of how much I'd be paid, but under my current circumstances if I'm unable get a handle on this debt over the next couple of years, I'll be under it for a very very long time.

Considering the above, what kind of options do I have available for me in China? Under a realistic scenario, what can I expect to be paid, how much might I be able to save, and what kind of paid time off is offered?

Thank you everyone.

NOTE: you may see a modified version of this same posting on a couple of the other boards, notably: Vietnam, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, and Korea. Thanks for understanding.

[bulgogiboy]

I would go for Korea over Taiwan if I were you. The potential for saving is considerably higher, so I hear (I was in Korea for a few years but never Taiwan). I've heard you can save money in Taiwan, but never anywhere near as much as you can in Korea.

Korea, for all it's flaws, is really very good for saving money! That goes even more so if you stay in Seoul and do a lot of private lessons. I once read a newspaper story about a Westerner caught working illegally in Seoul, on a tourist visa, who had set himself up doing only private lessons. He had no qualifications at all, but was making around 10 million Won per month. That's A LOT of money. I wouldn't recommend you copy his methods, but still it shows the potential for money making there. Privates are generally illegal there, regardless of your visa status, but as long as you're discreet and don't steal students from your school/uni you will be fine.

Personally, I saved quite a few thousand dollars whilst there. 1 year I comfortably saved around $13,000, and that was with going out drinking/eating regularly and treating myself to this and that. That was from a very modest salary of 1.85 million won, and I think I only did 1 private class there, for a couple of months, at a pretty average hourly rate. With your qualifications you could be saving much more.

The Middle East is an option for you too.

[John9900]

Universities in China pay very little. +/- 5000 RMB a month. With your qualifications perhaps the best option would be international schools.
Like the previous post said, if I were you I would skip China altogether and focus on Korea. Never been there but for saving money it�s a well known fact that Korea is tops.

[SahanRiddhi]

If I'm you I'll be setting my sights a little higher, maybe take on the position as international school instructor and rake down a few big bucks. Plenty of time for low-scale China work after your banking account has been pumped out a little. We all need a cushion to work with and soften the blow of economic up-and-over. As for country, I'd go where your heart tells you, the working should be good at a high scale in Korea but I hearsay China has a more benevolent surrounding, as far as life-work balancing. I plan myself to teach ESL China. I would not be worrying as to your credibility. It sounds good but in China, the only needful qualities are being a native speaker and having the right attitude, as well a bachelor's degree in the majority of circumstances. They'll not be minding that you have since yet published nothing. Though I do recommend you find the right one and see to marrying soon. The clock is ticking forward, not backward! Just my thoughts.

[ryanwhistler]

[B0RGNINE]

Thanks everyone for the responses so far. I've been hearing again and again that I should be looking into international schools, but what little research I've done (and it has been only a little) it seems like most schools want you to have a few years of teaching experience in the public schools in your home country. I have the license and the state endorsement, but have yet to teach in the public schools. Virtually all my real teaching experience (about four years) has been with adults. And another hang up to teaching in International schools is... I don't want to teach kids? I know it's possible I'm being too particular about this, but it's just not my cup of tea. I'm doing it now, and I'm doing my best at it, it's just not what I'm interested in. But I may have to reconsider this.

I may have to start looking into applying for positions in more rural areas of Japan too rather than just Tokyo. I probably need to be more realistic about this all. I just have this pie I see in the sky, an it's hard to break that gaze...

@SahanRiddhi, thanks for the encouragement... but I don't know that I'm the marrying type. Ha ha.

[John9900]

No, ryanwhistler, I don't work for a University.
But the OP said he was only looking for University work. University work in China pays very little.

[igorG]

OP, if I were you, I would consider Hong Kong and even mainland China. On mainland, you may possibly get up to 8-9,000 monthly in some academic programs of Universities, especially in major cities. However, the term has begun and better employers have most likely filled in their positions.

[B0RGNINE]

Hong Kong sounds great for sure, but I was just under the preconception that because geographically it's such a small place, it might be really difficult to get a foot hold in the job market there. I'll have to do some searching.

What cities on the mainland would you recommend?

Oh, and I'm looking for a position that would begin after March, which is when my contract here in Tokyo will be up.

[bulgogiboy]

[B0RGNINE]

Yeah, I've heard the ME likes an MA. But the Middle East mmmmmmm... *grits teeth* maybe, but it'd be a hard sell. I'd have to search my soul to make a decision about that... But it'd be a good location for travel.

[kev7161]

In many places, the second semester will start around mid-February, shortly after the Chinese New Year holiday ends.

[igorG]

[igorG]

[Old Surrender]

If you want a lot of time off, university is the way to go in China.

If you want more dinero, try a job at a language mill.

If you're qualified and want both, apply to some gigs at an international school.

You can pad your mediocre uni salary with privates since you're probably going to work 12-16 hours a week. Language mill salaries can reach 10,000 RMB. (I was making 9,000, but I was working 26 hours a week.) I like time off, hence I took the pay cut and went the university route.

I don't know much about the international school scene. Good luck!