Job Discussion Forums

piglet44 · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 157

OK I am 54, taking early retirement from High school teaching in Jerusalem.I have an MA ,a teaching cert and 30 years experience.My hubby is 64 has an MA in Public Admin.(is not a native speaker but has taught in the US) We would like a nice uni job in somewhere with a good climate.Thinking of Yunnan Province or maybe somewhere near Xiamen.Any advice greatly received.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I know that this is goin to be negative, but at your ages, 54, and 64, you-re going to have a heck of a time finding a job in China. Many unis cut teachers off at 50 or 55.

I-m not saying that it-s impossible. Just harder than you may think. What about getting a retirement visa?

piglet44 · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 157

that's the first time I have heard of it. everyone else is telling me with my qualifications and experience I will get a job no problem...

tttompatz · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:39 am Post subject: Re: where to start?

piglet44 · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 157

thanks a lot that is good. I have a UK passport he does not.
But I still am not sure whether I should land a job (and therefore a visa) before departure or wait till we arrive and do the visa run thing.
I am not so concerned about hubby getting a legal job since he will have a sizeable pension and as I understand it cost of living is not going to be a problem for us if I am working and obviously we will get accommodation through my job.
I am just wary about signing anything before we arrive and actually see what we are being offered.How hard is it to obtain the work visa once we get to China?

tttompatz · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:53 am Post subject: Re: thanks that helps

sojourner · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 12:00 pm Post subject:

Piglet,

Don't feel too discouraged by the comments made by NG and Tom !

NG says that there is a cut-off of 50 and 55 for uni teaching jobs. In actual fact, the maximum age stipulated in most job ads happens to be 60 ! It would appear that such a maximum age is required by provincial law. But, as has been pointed out a number of times in recent months on the two China fora, pertinent provincial regulations regarding age ( as well as, it would appear, even basic educational prerequisites) are often overlooked.In my own case, I recently turned 65 and have been teaching at uni level for about 8 years and expect to do so for another 5 or 6 years ! (Thus, from the age of 60 I have either signed new contracts, or contract renewals, on about 6 occasions). Also, there are a couple of regular posters to the China fora who are in their early 70s !

So, try not to be put-off by all the negative stuff often found on those fora re age ! But, on the other hand, be realistic - there definitely are ageist FAOs/recruiters out there.To maximise your chances of getting a reasonable job, apply for positions in towns off the beaten track. Also, don't apply for just 2 or 3 jobs - if you apply for 20-30 jobs you will probably get at least 3 or 4 positive responses ! You mentioned that you have taught at high school. Did you ever teach subjects such as Commerical Practice or Business Studies ? If so, mention that in your job applications and add that you would be willing to teach Business English.This will certainly give you a competive edge over many (most ?) younger teachers ! ( You also mentioned that your husband has an MA in Pub.Admin. If his level of English is ok, he, also, might want to apply for a job teaching Business English !)

For further info, refer to my posts to the following thread : http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=84388 .

In another thread you, asked about the possibility of landing a teaching job in Yunan province. Please be aware that this is a v.popular place in the eyes of many within the EFL community - as well as with many evangelical Christian groups .Consequently, there is a lot of competition for jobs from people who are willing to accept just 3 K RMB per month - or, from those who are willing to work for nothing, as is the case, it would seem, with the "missionaries" .

Good luck !

Peter

piglet44 · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 157

Many thanks Peter.I am a qualified teacher of EFL in high school with further experience of teaching adults, business English and such like. I also have an MA in Comp.Lit . My husband could probably teach Business English but the question is would he get an official job seeing as he is not a Native Speaker?

sojourner · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 1:25 pm Post subject:

Hi Piglet !

There definitely are people teaching in China who are not native speakers of English;eg, teachers from Nigeria, India and the Phillipines (sp?). At my first uni in China, we had a lady from Germany, and at another school in town, there was a Frenchman (both, incidently, employed to teach English; not their mother tongues !).

Yes, schools/unis do prefer native speakers of English, but they will definitely consider others.

In my post, I mentioned Business English. Possibly, you might also want to consider teaching subjects such as Intercultural Communication, Western Culture, and Writing - subjects that many FTs often appear reluctant to teach, probably on account of the amount of lesson preparation and h/w marking involved ( will take up too much of their precious bar time ! ).Personally, I prefer to teach such subjects (as well as Business English);although I also teach Oral English. Maybe the reason that I have not experienced too much trouble in getting work here , in spite of my age, is because of my willingness to teach such subjects; as well as my two Masters degrees, B.Ed and work experience (both teaching and public administration) !

Peter

piglet44 · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 157

I agree with you Peter that the younger EFL set are busy with their social lives whereas we as a couple are not really looking for the pub crawl thing.We are more into getting to know people, the culture and the country and therefore we are happy to be flexible in terms of what we are looking for in China. What we are not so flexible about is geographical location.I am really keen to be in Yunnan as I think that it is going to be most interesting for us as well as climate concerns.
thanks for your replies.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Not trying to be mean, but would like to make a point. The sooner you get to China, the better. Once you're in the system, rules can be bent more easily.

I know that soujourner is working there and is over 65, maybe try PMing him and he could help?

Age limit is 46
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=21973

Here's 50
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=21953

Here are some examples with cut off ages being 55
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=22029
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=22035
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=21872

Here's 60
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=21989

piglet44 · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 157

I know that this is what is written but many many people have mailed me to say that what is written is not necessarily what really happens, especially if you are prepared to go rural which we are (since we are a couple)
I am not interested in Beijing or Shanghai, after all.

tttompatz · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 11:51 am Post subject:

piglet44 · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 157

that is fine by me ttompatz, I am happy for him to be my dependent lol. And btw I am a Brit not a Yank thank you very much! As long as we can survive we are happy not to be making much money since we will have two pensions. But I guess we only get one air fare right? Sad