Job Discussion Forums

jackflash · Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Posts: 14

Hello all. As the thread title suggests, I'm a complete newbie to the ESL scene but very anxious to jump in. That being said, I want to be prudent and make the right decisions.

Background and Info:

I have no teaching experience.
I have a Bachelor's degree, as well as an Associate's degree.
I have about $2,500 savings stowed away.
I'm fascinated by Tibetan Buddhism.

After doing some research, I'm very interested to teach in Xi'ning. The cool weather, location, food, and Tibetan history are all big selling points. But combing for job openings have not proved very fruitful.

This site and forum is full of great information, but I have a few questions I'm hoping to get answers to.

1. Based on my non-existent teaching experience, should I scrap plans to teach in Xi'ning? Are there any newbie-friendly cities in China?

2. Ideally, I'd like to start in the Spring '12 semester (Feb,March). Is it difficult to secure a contract on a semester-by-semester basis?

3. Do you recommend getting a Celta before diving into an ESL career?

4. I know recruiters are a mixed bag, but seeing as I have no certification or experience, should I give this option more consideration? A friend used CIEE to secure a job in Thailand with the same (lack of) creditentials I have. She recommended their service, but it would eat up nearly all of my savings.

Also, I'm brushing up on my grammar but any specific resources you'd recommend would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to be a bad teacher!

SahanRiddhi · Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Posts: 267

How old are you? If you are less than two years out of school, and/or less than 25 years of age, it may be tough to secure a work visa in China. They like fresh meat, but not that fresh.

jackflash · Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Posts: 14

23 years old, graduated December 2010. Sad

tacoeater · Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Posts: 45

The law requires you be 25 years old to obtain a Z visa. In addition, you are required to have 2 years teaching experience. Come back then.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

1. Based on my non-existent teaching experience, should I scrap plans to teach in Xi'ning? Are there any newbie-friendly cities in China?

it's possible to find work without experience, just don't limit your search
to one city, and don't expect to teach at a quality school.

2. Ideally, I'd like to start in the Spring '12 semester (Feb,March). Is it difficult to secure a contract on a semester-by-semester basis?

difficult, but not impossible. is many trouble for the school to do the
paperwork for only one semester. plan for one academic year.

3. Do you recommend getting a Celta before diving into an ESL career?

you mean this is going to be a career? like 20-30 years? or is this a
gap year adventure? some here have real credentials. others have
online certificates. some have photoshopped their own. still others
haven't bothered.

4. I know recruiters are a mixed bag, but seeing as I have no certification or experience, should I give this option more consideration?

some recruiters are fine, others are evil. do your research. some will
get you an in-country tefl certificate, and then place you at one of their
partner schools.

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

I've never heard of the rule that you have to be 25 to work here. I think it is a rumor and pure nonsense. I know plenty of people who are 22-25 who have Z visas and work permits. I won't wait for someone to post up a link to the actual statement by the Chinese authorities that says this, because that statement doesn't exist.

xjgirl · Joined: 02 Feb 2010 Posts: 242

the only thing i'd recommend to any newbie
is quickly get your teaching license in your home country or one
you'd see yourself living in, before you throw your life away teaching ESL in Asia.
Especially in China, where because of low salaries you can quickly become trapped for years unable to afford a move back to the west or into further education

Lobster · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:26 am Post subject:

I do believe that it's a regulation, thus varying from place to place. The actual current regulations are really hard to find. Often everything looks fine until the school rep gets down to the office to apply for the FEC. Then it's "too old'young/not enough exp/not qualified etc". I've personally seen people refused an FEC due to:

Being 65
Being 23
Holding only an associate's degree and no BA
Lack of two years' teaching experience

This is in Shanghai. Problem is, it may depend on who's sitting behind the counter on a particular day. It's a bit maddening.

RED

astrayalien · Joined: 01 Feb 2011 Posts: 85 Location: China

Even if you could get a Z visa, wouldn't it make more sense at your young age to get a teaching qualification in your home country first? Teacher registration in your home country will be a big plus.

sistercream · Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: 497 Location: Pearl River Delta

Having spent my two best-ever mainland years in Xining, I certainly won't be trying to put anyone off going there, but I do agree with the advice to get a couple of years teaching experience closer to home first. I'd also definitely do CELTA or similar before going, which would enable you to get a job worth having.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Lobster · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:40 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't worry too much Nick. You're pretty well entrenched. If you're sticking with a steady employer who will arrange the FEC, the RP should be ok.

RED

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

OP you really should use the time to get some kind of ESL training even online.
All your preconditions, even if a wishlist, really inhibit your chances.
Can you do a summer school and if you like the setup in China look to get a start in Sept in regular teaching? I know the wise heads are thinking that all the Sept start jobs are gone but there will be no shows and getting around a few FAOs when they reopen for fall semester may get you something.
FAO desperation may also get you a one semester gig, but normally, as others have mentioned, the schools want a one year commitment

jackflash · Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Posts: 14

I appreciate all the advice. I have considered getting a teaching certificate in my home state, but most programs are 18-24 month long commitments and many of them are specialized to subjects and their respective age groups. Hence why I'd rather obtain a Celta.

I anticipated there to be a bit of a reality check seeing as I have no experience and lack qualifications. My goal was to get some teaching experience under my belt before pursuing a Celta. As backwards as that may sound, I hear the course is intensive and I think it'd be beneficial to draw on actual teaching experience. It may not be as overwhelming in that aspect.

My backup plan was to volunteer with an organization called Projects Abroad. They offer volunteer options teaching up to 3-months in various countries. I guess my follow-up questions would be:

Do you think 3 months is an adequate amount of teaching experience to prepare for taking the Celta, or even enough time to gauge whether a career in ESL is in my cards? (If not, when did you realize this was the right career for you?)

Thanks again, everyone!