Job Discussion Forums

[flyingcolours]

Hello people,

Here's the deal.
I have been seriously considering teaching in China.

I have a MA in education and in less than a year away I ought to have my ThD (Doctor of Theology).

A few questions in relation to having a MA and also having a ThD.
1. If I apply to teach at the university level in China will I be more sought after?
2. Should I expect pay, benefits, vacation, etc., to be more?

Thanks people!

[Baozi man]

Lose the ThD unless you are applying for a teaching job at Nanking Theological Seminary. A masters in education is more than adequate with a CELTA. Very few people are going to know what a ThD is. Once you explain it, you may be shunned. The contract contains a clause which forbids the FT from engaging in religious activities inconsistent with his status as a foreign expert. It's a broad statement and can mean many things, depending on who is interpreting it. For practical purposes, the FAO will decide what it means

Certain religious activities are proscribed. Some school FAOs are nervous about having religious people around, others not. One school had a bizarre appendix which, among other things, forbade the FT to ever discuss religious topics anywhere in China.

Many Chinese fear what they don't understand. A ThD degree is something few will understand

[flyingcolours]

OK thanks.

Besides Nanking Theological Seminary what about these?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_colleges_in_China

[vikeologist]

Why are you interested in teaching in China?

Incidentally, to reiterate, you'll (probably) need some kind of teaching qualification in addition to your masters.

[Non Sequitur]

Baozi is right.
Lose the Th qual for all but the seminaries.
For your average bog standard Oral English uni job the Masters is more than enough.
I agree but many won't that an ESL qual will both be of interest on your CV and give you a degree of confidence. Confidence that you can put a lesson plan together and carry through a semester of work with weekly classes, plus in semester assessments and finals as well as doing a few English Corners along the way.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

If you are white-faced from a native English speaking country, your education will not matter for many positions.

Bye.

[Non Sequitur]

GW of W is unfortunately right.
It is also right that a degree does not a teacher make.
If OP is in any doubt about their suitability for the ESL teaching task then an ESL qual even if of limited duration will help answer that question.