Job Discussion Forums

[dsh13]

Hello, I am currently in the process of seeking employment in China with the specific goal of teaching English in Chengdu. I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me any advice on effective ways to locate a legitimate teaching position there. As of now I have been responding to online postings, sending e-mails to schools I have found information for, etc - but sadly with little success. Any information on teaching in Chengdu or what the climate for teaching work there is would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[tianfuoe]

Would you care to share your qualifications, experience, preferences (student age, type of school, desired income) with us? That would help us point you in the right direction.

[dsh13]

Unfortunately I can't say I have much teaching related experience. I recently graduated from my university with degrees in International Politics and Mandarin Chinese, and I also spent four months studying in Shanghai. As far as preferences go, i'm really not picky. I am interested in any potential offer that puts me in Chengdu. If possible i'd rather work with smaller class sizes, as that would be easier for me to manage while acclimating myself to the teaching process.

[SahanRiddhi]

I take it you have a love interest waiting for you in Chengdu?

The scoop is, at least in theory, you are supposed to have two years of experience before you are eligible for a work visa in China. Technically that should probably be teaching experience, but in practice, I doubt it matters, since hardly anyone is checking references. So the problem is, when they see the year of graduation on your degree/resume, they know you don't have the two years of post-graduation experience that is needed.

Enforcement of most policies is uneven in China, so you may find a school/province where you can get around this rule. But I would say it is one of the more commonly enforced policies in the ESL world. Someone else can probably tell you specifically whether and how it is applied in Chengdu.

The less-than-legal ways to get to Chengdu would involve working on other visa types, such as L, F or X. If you try this route, don't blame ME when you burn in hell for all eternity for your sin.

[dean_a_jones]