Job Discussion Forums

[Bethan]

I need some advice from all you worldly people..
I really want to go to China to teach, but at present my plan is not to go until December. Before then I have a job lined up to work in France over the summer and then I am planning to travel round Europe for a month.
However, I've been thinking that maybe I need to change my plans... Will all the best jobs be gone in September so I'll be left with the dregs that no-one wanted?? Would it be wise to drop my plans and start applying for jobs in China starting in September so to ensure that I get my first choice of job and location??
Help please!!!

[Bethan]

So I suppose it's either change my summer plans and go in September or wait until Feb..... Hmmm

[tony lee]

Government institutions -- middle schools, high schools and universities. They generally only employ to begin at the beginning of each semester because of time-tabling. Once the semester is three or four weeks gone they are not interested except to replace a teacher who had to leave for whatever reason. Most of them expect from 12 to 20 teaching hours (meaning lessons of about 50 minutes) and pay from 2500 to 6000RMB a month

Private institutions -- and these also include regular schools and universities that operate under similar conditions to the government ones -- which range from kindergartens to international schools, but are mainly language coaching schools. These employ all year round because they generally run after-school and weekend classes for students and day and evening classes for businesses. They often pay considerably more but also expect more hours including lots of unpaid travelling between jobs. Salary ranges from 4000 upwards.

The definition of "good jobs" is hardly worth considering because it depends so much on ones expectations and attitude and that of the school staff you will be in contact with. Salary also is rarely worth considering once it reaches a certain point because money is not what any sane person would come to china for. Stories abound of two teachers at the same school at the same time having vastly different experiences. Even the very old China hands will be the first to admit that despite the most diligent hands-on research about a school, they only get it right some of the time -- so what hope have you got trying to choose from across the world.

[anthyp]

Yeah, finding a good job is kind of a hit - or - miss prospect, and I won't even pretend that researching your position can make a difference, because, at least in my case, it didn't. I say wait till February (or late March), when you'll have your pick of jobs. Hopefully you get lucky. You don't want to cancel plans to travel in Europe to come here, cripes. But let us know how it goes.

[Bethan]

So I suppose what you're all saying is that a 'good' job will be different for everyone.....
I am really undecided as to where to work - I thought the private language places would be good to work at because I will need some training! On the other hand, I think a job at a school / university would be better for the reasons mentioned above..
Well, lots to think about I suppose

[Roger]

You also need to factor in your own personality; since you are currently working in la douce France, you must have a special reason for choosing China as your next stepping stone. It's not going to be in any way similar a country.
So, what brings you here? Next: what kind of climate or area would be acceptable for you?
I think, waiting until the end or middle of February to be hired by a public school is not such a bad prospect; you only lose a few weeks. I don't know if one month is enough for touring Europe. Personally I would say, it's just enough to get acquainted with Paris or Berlin.

[Bethan]

I'm working for a campsite in France, nothing to do with TEFL. I'm only there because of the sun factor, I worked in France last year too, basically it's just a chance to doss around for a couple of months.
I would like to work somewhere in China with a temperate climate, not too hot but definately not too cold. I have been thinking about the Sichaun province, Shanghai or Xi'an.... all completelydifferent I know!!
I do agree that I need to do some research to find the best province / city that would suit me - do you think a travel guide to China would help? This is what I had planned to use.
As for my month travelling around Europe, I only have enough funds at the moment for a months interailing, I definately will travel again!! I'm going to pick a few cities and then spend time in them rather than trying to see everything which I realise would be impossible!!

[Klamm]

It might depend on you a lot. If you're very young you might need more help. Coming here and bumming around by yourself could be difficult. I did my first China gig as a missionary in an outback place. It helped working through a group like that. No way at 22 I'd be comfortable just flopping into China without a clue. Some people would be fine with that, though.

I'm sure you could contact schools in December, talk to them and get a feel for the place. Decide on a city you like first. Find several schools there before leaving. Get a three month China visa in Hong Kong (very easy to do. You can go to the very visible CTS's in Hong Kong or elsewhere.) Go to the city with startup money and visit the schools. Pick one. Voila. Not so hard. People make it a lot harder than it is.

K.

[Bethan]

Hmm. Not sure I would feel comfortable leaving to China without having secured a job. I know it would be more likely that I could get a job that met my needs better if I had the chance to see the conditions of work... However, having no experience of travelling in Asia I think I will 'play it safe' to a certain extent and arrange a job before I come out....