Job Discussion Forums

[gjj]

Hello. I have read through many of the threads here, but I would still like to ask forum members for their thoughts on my options, if I may.

I am British, 49, have a BA and a CELTA, and have taught for 27 years in Europe � 20 of them as a director of studies with a language school chain in Germany. For most of those years � apart from administrative and teacher training duties � I concentrated on business English and more recently intercultural training.

For various reasons I have decided to look for a position in China, and just wonder what sort of position you think I should go for. I have several interviews lined up, both with international language school chains, and recruiters. I am not specifically looking for a DoS post � going back to teaching full time would be very welcome! I just don�t want to make a mistake due to my lack of knowledge of the situation in China. I am considering any major city, but preferably Shanghai or Beijing.

It seems to be too late to apply for university positions � I could do that in the future. What I would prefer until then, is to teach adults or corporate classes for a school which is reasonably professional. I have no objection at all to teaching some younger learners but I am much better suited to adults. However, there don't seem to be too many adverts on Dave's for adult teaching.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks.

GJ

[GeminiTiger]

With your vast experience in Europe if your looking for reasonably professional employer who values your experience over that of say a 23 year old.. well, just don't count on it.

You should narrow your focus on either a private or public position. Before asking us questions you should ask yourself and tell us, what is you want?

Money or Freedom or Experience or <?>

[Trinley]

You could also try http://www.esljobs.com/. There are quite a few ads for university teachers there. Not much in Beijing or Shanghai, but there are offers in large cities like Chungdu and Xi'an.

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking though. Could you be a little more specific about what advice you're seeking?

[roadwalker]

Unless you are considering a DOS or similar post, I can imagine a chain or business English school being reluctant to hire you. That is, from the point of view of management, hiring another "boss" could be troublesome. (Whereas a 23 year-old would be more likely to follow the teaching methods etc. with few questions.) On the other hand, I don't have much experience in the training school world, and you could find schools with management confident enough to accept others with management experience, theoretically.

As for Unis, although the students are older, it would be more akin to teaching children than teaching business or even general English to motivated adults. The structure of the university education is more like high school in the US, and the students behave accordingly. They are not nearly as independent. It's rewarding, but it's not like teaching adults.

[gjj]

Thanks very much for your advice and the link - it's really appreciated!

I could have made my original post much more precise! What I wanted to say was:

- Ideally I would like to teach at a university, but it seems too late to apply for this year.

- As an alternative I would like to teach adults, regardless of level, but most of the ads I have found here or elsewhere are for teaching young learners.

I really just wanted to ask if there are many opportunities in China for teaching adult learners, for either general or business purposes.

I'll continue to look!

Thanks again.

GJ

[Shroob]

I wouldn't say teaching at universities is out of the questions. There is a last minute rush to sign teachers, some will say that they are the less reputable/undesirable ones, however, I know that a high ranking one is still searching for teachers, though the pay and extras are poor.

[7969]

[Shroob]

[Miajiayou]

[Shroob]