Job Discussion Forums

[zaser45]

To be a teacher in this city, what is the general age requirements is the basis for my point. For example a 39 year old in Shenzhen is that an ok age bracket to be in? Is there to much competition in this city? Especially from the younger crowd lets say 20-30? Thanks for your input.

[Sinko]

Perfect age as far as I'm concerned.

[Laurence]

I don't live in SZ,
but I have been there a good few times,

and it's basically the cutting edge of New China.


Not in a good way though ~

but in terms of the level of tasteless materialism,
rampant, corrupt and uncontrolled urban development,
putting monetary wealth before moral values,
etc,
etc.
Foxconn is a SZ setup, I believe, and embodies the human ethic borne of this very special economic zone.


TEFL schools all over the world will use photos of young, European-looking people in their marketing campaigns to entice Asians into 'living the dream',
and in SZ this will be a larger than normal factor in hiring and competition - it's a city built on consumer culture and cheap thrills,
so you might find yourself out of favour in the eyes of language centres like EF.

But Chains like Wall Street - and perhaps some actual schools too - might favour a mature look over some unskilled hipster (WS do seem to employ a disproportionate amount of baldies)


So realise your niche,
and make approaches accordingly.

[tacoeater]

Current Chinese visa law requires that Z visa applicants be a minimum age of 25 and have 2 years teaching experience. In addition, it's rather difficult for those age 55 and older to get the same visa. While 60 is the "cut-off" for the rules, realistically 55 is the practical cut-off with both employers and the PSB.