Job Discussion Forums

kiwikid · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 13 Location: NZ

Hi, I am am in Guangzhou for a week visiting a friend and thought I might check out the teaching scene here. I was just wondering what type of jobs are available. Is it mostly private schools or public schools? What would be a reasonable salary here? Are some areas of the city more popular than others? I have a MA TESOL and have taught 3 years elementary school and 2 years college in Korea, what kind of job might I expect to get with this background? Also is there anything you recommend checking out in my week here?
I am staying in the Zhujiang New Town area. If anyone is interested in meeting for a drink and chat that would be cool. Cheers.

kiwikid · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 13 Location: NZ

So, there's no one in guangzhou... or just no one replying?

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

many of the foreigners living in guangzhou really hate the place, and you wouldn't want to hang out with those guys. go to gzstuff.com, sign up and have a look around there.

Gamecock · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 102 Location: Zhuhai, China

I worked in GZ for awhile. There is every kind of ESL job you could imagine there- private institutes, public schools, universities...teaching kindergarten to adults. Your credentials and experience would qualify you for most any position.

GZ is one of the richest cities in China and also has some of the highest salaries in China. There are also tons of tutoring opportunities if you want to expand your income. I can't offer any specific work recommendations, but if you are selective you should easily be able to find a private gig for more than 10,000 including housing. More if you can teach business English. Or you could teach 14-16 hours at a private university for 8000+ and have plenty of time to work on the side if you wanted.

GZ has its charms, but the crowds, traffic, and pollution tends to wear on you. I couldn't wait to get out after my stint there. It's certainly not a bad place to get started in China if you like the sub-tropical weather and don't want to deal with winter.

One of the best things about GZ is you are a short hop from Hong Kong and Macau, which makes for great weekend getaways. Hooley's Irish Pub is a good expat hangout and has a rousing trivia night every other week.

Oh, and I spent 5 years in Korea as well...and while I'm happier where I am now in China, I'd take GZ over Seoul any day of the week, in spite the bitching of the GZ expats. I've never regretted leaving Korea for China.

kiwikid · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 13 Location: NZ

Cheers for the info, I'll check out that website. That's good to hear that there are a good variety of jobs. My reason for looking into Guangzhou is because my partner is working there now (in the trade industry not teaching). Gamecock, what area are you working in now? Did you get your job (in the past) from searching online or another way?

Gamecock · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 102 Location: Zhuhai, China

I'm in Zhuhai now, about 90 minutes south of GZ and on the Macau border. My first job in GZ I got via Dave's when I was in Korea. My current job I got through connections from being in-country, which is DEFINITELY the best way in China. Korea is about who you know...but in China that concept could be multiplied by 10.

If i can be of any more help, let me know.

Gamecock · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 102 Location: Zhuhai, China

Check your PM

igorG · Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 1473 Location: asia

I am in GZ and on the contrary to someone who says many FTs hate the city, I must say it's not that bad at all. There're all kinds of great local foods, 711 convenient shops and Starbucks in many areas and the local people are quite friendly. As another one on has mentioned, there are loads of jobs available and there are many schools and centers in and on the outskirts of the city. To offer a suggestion which gig to go for, it all depends on what your expectations are. Private centers offer usually a bit more for more work as well, and then public schools a bit less workload for a bit less money and probably less hussle too. However, there are usually more kids in elementary and secondary schools with some really uninterested in English kids, which may bring you troubles when teaching. Private centers in the city offer gigs where you will have to give a show to attract more students, but that's not much different in other cities of the country and dare I say to say that a few other countries around. If I were you, i'd go for a uni job as you do have some qualifications. But this is not that time of the year when most unis hire. With regards to places of interest, T Mall is on area to visit for shopping and maybe relaxing and then there is Beijing Rd too. I don't go out much anymore and I live in a suburban area...hate traveling by packed busses. I hope i've helped here.