Job Discussion Forums

[ellecbee]

I'm looking for the best Biz English opportunities (cities) in China. Just finished a yr stint in Indonesia working in a language school and the business side, found I MUCH preferred the business side. I've been teaching for a couple of years now, but have a pretty extensive marketing background, so I'm a pretty good fit for business English.

Advice please!

[johntpartee]

Be forewarned that most of the "Business English" classes are basic oral English classes. You'll have students that run the spectrum from fluent to "can't say anything unless they've memorized it or are reading it". LOTS of places give their English classes "titles".

[godisasadjoke]

If you view the jobs ads here and elsewhere, you will find tons of such jobs.

But, as another poster mentioned, that means nothing. The fact is, no students in China are capable of learning a subject, especially business from a purely English teaching method standpoint. You teach oral English with a focus on the concept of business regarding vocabulary, dialogues, etc.

You are NOT an actual business teacher

[ellecbee]

[janeal]

I taught for a year at a school in Zhengzhou, Henan called Shengda. I must say it was thoroughly enjoyable...but the pay was relatively low (RMB5500/mo). I taught english majors and their english skills were significantly better than the business english students. I frequently interacted with business english teachers (all FTs) and, like me, they really enjoyed it. so, I'd give Shengda a positive recommendation.

[wangdaning]

[Mister Al]

godisasadjoke wrote

[5h09un]

what do you mean? do you mean you want to teach courses like accounting, marketing, etc? you can do that here. it's hard to find positions like that, though, just because almost all of the ads you'll ever see are for english teaching positions. your best bet is to contact as many agents as possible. i actually spoke to one today who said she'll help me find a job teaching accounting and/or economics. send me a PM if you want her e-mail address.

[ellecbee]

Thanks everyone for the helpful information.

I guess I should have done a better job of being more specific.

In Indonesia I worked for a school that had a corporate side. I never set foot in the school unless I had to plan. My classes were always off site at banks, manufacturing companies etc. I was teaching English, but business related. I used Pearson Longman Market Leader text books. I taught writing classes, with the emphasis being content (i.e., proposals, itineraries) not necessarily grammar. My classes were broken up by level (thank god since that is not always the case), so the higher the level, the more emphasis on business and less on English, if that makes sense. My degree isn't in marketing, but I worked in it for many years, so I have good grasp of business. BUT - I am by no means an expert in marketing and would never try and tout myself as such.

For the record, I know that ESL markets vary WIDELY from country to country and what I am seeking may not even exist in China. That's what I am trying to figure out, so I appreciate the input.

[El Chupacabra]

[Non Sequitur]

Walking straight in to making a living off business English in China may be too big a step.
Why not try ordinary college or uni work and then build up a portfolio of free time business clients?
At one stage I had a Saturday afternoon job at a US corporate plus one businessman by himself and also a couple who really just wanted to chill with a Westerner.
Network like mad and after say 6m ask yourself if the business side will support you.
The downside with corporate is the travel time compared to walking across campus to a classroom.