Job Discussion Forums

[PYT]

I am taking a year off while applying to grad school and during this time I am hoping to teach English in China (Fall 2011-Spring 2012).

My plan is to take a TEFL course from mid May to early/mid June and apply around once I'm done (my schedule makes it hard to take an in-class course earlier).

What makes my situation complicated is that I need to make time over the year to schedule interviews for grad school. The interview period ranges around September to March. Luckily, schools are quite accommodating to those who are abroad. I understand that public universities have a relatively long break around spring festival, ranging from 1-1.5 months. This would be the perfect time for me to go back and interview in the states. As a result, I would much prefer a public over a private school position.

However, from further research on applying to public universities, it seems that the best time to apply to such positions is around May to early June. I complete my TEFL course on June 10th, which would make it more difficult for me to obtain such a position. (Keep in mind I am an Asian-American with no teaching experience, so this would make the job search more difficult)

I was wondering if it would still be viable to find a decent public position from mid to late June? If not, I am aware there are year round private positions as well (although I would much prefer a public school due to better hours, working conditions, etc etc). Would I be able to request a month or so off if I worked at a private school? I was thinking I could also apply without a TEFL certificate or with an online TEFL so that I will be in time for the optimal period for public school hirings. Nevertheless, I would still prefer to take an in-class course, since I feel like I need more in-depth training.

I have been wanting to teach English in China since high school and I feel this is the best and only chance for me to do it. At the same time, I need to go about it in a way that will not jeopardize my graduate admissions. A month in the states would optimal for me to get all my interviewing done.

I would love it if you guys weighed in with your opinion on this.

[7969]

a lot of universities have their people sorted out for next year already. others don't. Exams are written beginning around the last week of June, they take a couple of weeks, admin staff hang around till about mid July then they disappear till end of august. Apply in June and you could get lucky, or not. Some people who've already committed to a school won't show up or return for whatever reason. Middle of June is really late in the game though.

As for private schools, i worked at a couple of them in the past (never will again though) and precisely for this reason: getting holidays on request (esp. a full month off, which I doubt any private school will offer) is difficult. The place I worked at wanted us to take our holidays (2 weeks) at the end of the contract.

[dean_a_jones]

A few things to consider:

1. Do you have to go back for the interviews for grad school? I know of teachers here, applying for grad school in the UK and EU that have done their applications from China and had interviews on Skype (including LSE, and Cambridge). I don't know about the US, or where you are actually going to study. But don't rule it completely out, a lot of places are understanding about this.

2. Why wait to get the TEFL to apply? It certainly cannot hurt to stick on your CV you are doing it and will complete in June. I would not wait to start, anyway.

3. As has been said, many public schools are shut in July and August, at least for part of each month. So again, applying now is better. It is around now that a lot of schools are asking their current teachers who is staying, so they can start the recruitment. However, there is the 'post-summer' rush. When candidates don't show, or they still don't have someone so are getting desperate. This is usually late August and September. However, the better schools (i.e. those that are generally organised) will mostly have staff, so pickings may not be as good.

If you are interested in Wuhan as a potential destination (I love it, but plenty will tell you they didn't) PM me.

[PYT]

Thanks a ton for the advice

In that case, I better get started on sending out resumes and steer clear of private schools.

And yeah, I've been looking into skype/ phone interviews for grad school. They have options pretty similar to the UK. I just know that there are a few schools here and there that aren't as accommodating so having a position with a long break would definitely give me a peace of mind.