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MarcyG69
Joined: 21 Dec 2010
Posts: 20
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 Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject: Needs Advice Please!! |
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I read through the forums but still have some questions....
I am 24, I have my Masters in Education and 2 yrs teaching elementary in the United States.
1. Do I need a TEFL??
2.My teaching contract is not up till June so When should I start applying/ looking for jobs? I am hoping to come in Aug or Sept
3. Also I have NO idea where I would want to live in China. I am looking for a fun city where I would be able to meet people easily and travel. I also prefer it warm and near a nice beach is this possible? I have researched places but real advice from people would be nice. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:33 am Post subject: |
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1. Not really but an esl qual is nice to have. As much for YOUR peace of mind as anything.
2. Right now.
3. Qingdao fits the bill but is is still really cold in winter. Got the beach, bars, history, beer and other expats. |
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LanGuTou
Joined: 23 Mar 2009
Posts: 621
Location: Shandong
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| Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 2:15 am Post subject: Re: Needs Advice Please!! |
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| MarcyG69 wrote: |
I read through the forums but still have some questions....
I am 24, I have my Masters in Education and 2 yrs teaching elementary in the United States.
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I think that alone should make you desirable to many Chinese schools. Actually having a Masters degree in a teaching related major and two years of real western teaching experience will put you in the upper echelons of foreign teachers coming to China.
You should start the search now and I would recommend not necessarily jumping at the best offer that comes along. I suggest you should be able to find jobs offering five figure salaries even as a newbie coming to China. |
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Timer
Joined: 24 Oct 2010
Posts: 173
Location: China
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| Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 2:18 am Post subject: |
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1. Some places want one but you have a Masters in Education which should rank higher. It's worth doing some sort of certificate course to make you a better efl teacher.
2. Public schools start in September and start advertising now. Most private places hire all the time.
3. If you've never been to China you'd probably be fine almost anywhere as it will all be new to you. Just keep an open mind about things and you'll be fine. There are southern provinces that are warmer with beaches but I've never been to one. I've seen pictures but being from Australia, the beaches don't look all that good to me. Lots of the teachers at my previous school went to Hainan province for holidays and it looks like a nice place. |
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El Macho
Joined: 30 Jan 2006
Posts: 200
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| Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Needs Advice Please!! |
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| MarcyG69 wrote: |
I read through the forums but still have some questions....
I am 24, I have my Masters in Education and 2 yrs teaching elementary in the United States.
1. Do I need a TEFL?? |
No. If you want to have an idea of what you're getting into, you could check out Lightbown & Spada's How Languages Are Learned. Your teaching experience easily eclipses anything a weekend (or online) TEFL course might give you; similarly, positions for credentialed teachers don't care about you having a TEFL cert, they just care that your credentials are in order.
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| 2.My teaching contract is not up till June so When should I start applying/ looking for jobs? I am hoping to come in Aug or Sept |
You should be looking now. International Schools, which will pay a Western salary and offer Western benefits, are in the middle of hiring for the coming school year. |
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LanGuTou
Joined: 23 Mar 2009
Posts: 621
Location: Shandong
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| Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: Needs Advice Please!! |
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| LanGuTou wrote: |
| MarcyG69 wrote: |
I read through the forums but still have some questions....
I am 24, I have my Masters in Education and 2 yrs teaching elementary in the United States.
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You should start the search now and I would recommend not necessarily jumping at the best offer that comes along.
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I have just looked at my own post.
Silly me! There is a farcical typo in it.
Of course it is an excellent idea to take the best offer available.
I meant to say the first offer i.e. start early and play the market. With a background like yours, you should be able to secure multiple offers.
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MarcyG69
Joined: 21 Dec 2010
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks so much for the advice everyone! I will start my search now! |
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mrwslee003
Joined: 14 Nov 2009
Posts: 190
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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Mmmmm if I were 24 and single.....
I would choose Shenzhen or Zhuhai because both are close to the fun cities of Hong Kong and Macau.
Or Qingdao in Shangdong province, because of its German history(colony) and seaport-nice beaches.
Apply now for a teaching position and ask for FT emails so you can get the latest news on the area and find out how other FTs like the place.
Good luck. |
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MarcyG69
Joined: 21 Dec 2010
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks everyone! Where is the best place to look for jobs?? What are some reputable requiters or should I just look up schools in the area? I don't want to get stuck at bad/shady school. |
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snacksturbo
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Send me a PM if your interested in working in the South where it doesn't snow and your close to a beach. About 2 hours away for one and the other is about 1 1/2 hours away. Hainan Island is super close and will take you about 5-6 hours travel. I can give you contact information for the man in charge of hiring for the school. |
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Dr. Dow
Joined: 14 Mar 2011
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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5 to 6 hours is "super close" travel time??
I must be deader than I think. |
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