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writpetition
Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 213
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 Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:09 pm Post subject: China esl job market controlled by racist recruiters |
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It really hurts that after teaching English in China and having given the career some of one's best years of life, one finds oneself against a wall of racist recruiters.
It would appear that recruiters have arrayed themselves like the Great Wall in the esl job market and the first thing they look at in an application is one's passport / area of origin.
I have taught in China for a cumulative of 7 years since 2001 and noe suddenly, my applications are not even considered worthy of a response. It also appears these days that almost all job postings are done by recruiters and they simply trash any application not from one of the BIG 5.
Would really appreciate if anyone here would know of positions open, preferably at a university, to so-called non-native English teachers.
I mean, I can't even call myself a non-native since that is my first language and also have some publishing credits to my name.
I mean, after years as an English teacher in China I find myself incapable of doing anything but...
Someone, please help me with a job at a university...please!
Someone, please help with a job... |
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choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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| have you tried contacting universities directly? |
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Baozi man
Joined: 06 Sep 2011
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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WP, You know what they say, "If your black, step back." I hear your pain. Fact is that English is not as "hot" as it used to be. You think you're up against racist recruiters? Got news for you. You're up against a racist nation.
Grovelling for a job is a big mistake. Eventually, you will become bitter. You will work for lower pay, be disrespected, get jobs no other [white] FT wants. Have some dignity.
If what you are saying is true, flip China off and move on.
Last edited by Baozi man on Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:35 am; edited 2 times in total |
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writpetition
Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 213
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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| choudoufu wrote: |
| have you tried contacting universities directly? |
yes, I have...but lately, hardly any seem to be posting job offers directly...they seem to prefer going through recruiters for a variety of reasons. |
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writpetition
Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 213
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Baozi man wrote: |
WP, You know what they say, "If your black, step back." I hear your pain. Fact is that English is not as "hot" as it used to be. You think you're up against racist recruiters? Got news for you. Your up against a racist nation.
Grovelling for a job is a big mistake. Eventually, you will become bitter. You will work for lower pay, be disrespected, get jobs no other [white] FT wants. Have some dignity.
If what you are saying is true, flip China off and move on. |
I'm sorry if I came across as grovelling...but I just meant to enlist the help of some good samaritans. Seriously, there are few other countries that are open to 'non-natives'. China might have have its share of racism but the Chinese are also more more receptive than many others and there are many that are actually quite 'equal' in their world-view...or, at least, that's my experience. |
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choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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| writpetition wrote: |
| choudoufu wrote: |
| have you tried contacting universities directly? |
yes, I have...but lately, hardly any seem to be posting job offers directly...they seem to prefer going through recruiters for a variety of reasons. |
lately it's mid-term. not hiring season. |
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Ariadne
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 960
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry you are having such a rough time finding work. Here are a few comments and suggestions.
It's not the best time to find a uni job, but you already know that. Spring Festival will be sort of early this year, so universities will be back in session by mid February. Any unexpected vacancies will need to be filled asap.
If you had some good experiences at schools in China... meaning you left the schools on good terms... try contacting them. I have seen numerous examples of schools rehiring teachers who left for a year or three. You're an old hand, you won't require much handholding, which makes things easier for the FAO.
Have you already contacted all the FTs you worked with along the way? Maybe someone knows about a potential opening and can put in a good word for you.
Get busy on the internet. Contact schools directly. Avoid the recruiters since they are obviously not helping you.
Good luck to you.
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Opiate
Joined: 10 Aug 2011
Posts: 630
Location: Qingdao
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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| writpetition wrote: |
| China might have have its share of racism but the Chinese are also more more receptive than many others and there are many that are actually quite 'equal' in their world-view...or, at least, that's my experience. |
Sorry to burst your bubble after so many years in China with your blinders on but you are only welcome as long as there is a demand for you. This applies to everyone regardless of race or place of origin. You are not welcome out of some kindhearted gesture from the Chinese people. You are here because Chinese students HAVE to learn English. I am here for the same reason.
Think you are equal if you have dark or black skin? HAHA think again. The Chinese generally discriminate against their fellow countrymen who have a suntan....
Non native English speakers are always low on the totem pole of desirability, add color into the mix and you are potentially dropping to the bottom for the majority of employers. What exactly do you expect? If you have the credentials to back you up it is quite possible to land a real job but if you are just sucking the 'China ESL easy work tit' then perhaps you should have considered your long term prospects a tad earlier and a little more realistically..
Would you pay for Italian language lessons from a Native American with a passport from Brazil? How about lessons on Ebonics from a white guy with a passport and accent from Australia? .....right...didn't think so.
Also could you clarify your meaning of so-called non-native English teachers. ? Is native or non native English speaker a difficult or confusing piece of language? Either you are a native speaker or not. Which are you? I am going to go out on a limb and assume you also lack qualifications. If I am incorrect, you should not bother with recruiters. If I am correct then....perhaps the gravy train is over...but you still should not bother with recruiters. The gravy train will end for many, however, non native speakers will be first.
All the same, I wish you luck finding gainful employment. You should seriously consider avenues that do not involve recruiters or any form of middleman. They will often present what they think the employer wants to them. It is very possible that your experience will trump some random white face to some actual employers. Good luck. |
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Simon in Suzhou
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 404
Location: GZ
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:27 am Post subject: |
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