Job Discussion Forums

[Max of SF]

Hi there,

I am a rank beginner, from and currently in the US. My only qualification is a BA in English from a state university in California.

1. Where are the best five online places to start looking for working teaching English as a second language in Kunming?

I have pretty much settled on Kunming as my objective at this time. My goal is to work and live there for at least a solid year.

2. Is it more difficult to find work starting in early 2012 than at the beginning of the school year, in fall 2011?

3. Is there a template somewhere of the basics that someone with my minimal qualifications should set as a sort of low bar for what they are willing to accept? Wage level, housing, number of days and hours in the classroom, corresponding amount of time preparing for class outside of class, compensation for the air ticket half way through the school year, vacation pay -- that sort of thing?

4. If I want to arrive a month before classes start, how much in USD should I have to get by when I get off the plane? I assume I should fly into Hong Kong instaead of Beijing.

5. Other factors; I'm a white male, and, let's say, somewhere near to my late 40's in age. What difficulties or advantages will this sent my way? I know as well that winging it is to some degree integral to the adventure of it all but I really want this to work out.

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone out there has to give.

[Non Sequitur]

While you're waiting for all the Kunming experts to weigh in with advice look at the Wikipedia Kunming universities page and see if you can get some websites to visit and if you can approach the FAO for each one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunming#Colleges_and_universities

[choudoufu]

1.you could try here:
http://www.studyinchina.edu.cn/yunnan.asp
gokunming.com

2. hiring time depends on the school. i'd guess more likely to find
a slot for the fall if trying for a uni. private schools hire year-round.

3. you set your own bar. but note that pay and bennies in yunnan
are much lower than other provinces.

4. if the uni will let you move into the provided apartment early,
costs should be minimal....mainly food, travel, beer.

if you must find your own place, expect a six-month contract, with
a couple months paid in advance, plus a couple months security
deposit, plus one month agency fee. you can find a decent furnished
place (depending on area) for around 2000/month. cheaper if you're
willing to share.

why not fly into kunming? we gots an airport here. you'll go through
customs probably in beijing, not kunming. so, even if the airlines
tell you your bags are checked through to kunming, expect to find
them on the baggage carousel at the connecting airport.

5. white male, mid 40's? and a rich teacher at that? well, bring a
big 'ol stick, as you'll be fightin' off the wimmin!

[daCabbie]

Good luck. You want to go to one of the hottest cities in China? Get on a waiting list or work at a mill for slave wages and standards.

Basicly you are a semi-qualified applicant at best. You have no work experience, no classroom time, no certificate. You are gonna be at the bottom of the list for jobs.

Everyone and their uncle's brother wants to teach in Shanghai, Beijing, Kunming, Chengdu, Qingdao and a couple other places. So the schools get a lot of applicants with proven skills.

You might get something if your work in the private sector (a mill or a kindy). Mid-forties white male? I am guessing that is not what you want. You want something cushy. Minimal headaches/minimal hours=uni in second tier city.

Get your feet wet and then move up the feeding chain. Maybe teaching is for you. Maybe not. The schools in top markets aren't gonna waste the time while you figure it out.

[choudoufu]

mid-40's white male.
no classroom experience.
no related degree.
cheesy online certificate.

....now enjoying a cushy uni job in kunming.

send emails.
send more emails.
be persistent.