Job Discussion Forums

rapanui · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 3

Does any one know how to get a job at a monastery?, preferably in China.

All I've found so far is voluntary programs where you have to pay. I don't care if the salary is low, as long as it covers some living costs on or off monastery but since I've been teaching for two years, have a TEFL-certificate (the full one) and speak some Chinese, I don't wanna pay for it.

Suggestions?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

What exactly is your motivation for teaching at a monastery versus a conventional language school or institute? I ask because monasteries aren't money-making organizations. They're communities founded on spiritualism, simplicity, and most of all, charity, which is why you're finding it difficult to locate a paying TEFL spot at a monastery school.

rapanui · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 3

First, I've lived in Dongguan, Beijing, and Taiwan for 2,5 years and would love to see more of rural China.

Second, assuming that their English is quite bad, that would also give me an opportunity to practice my Chinese.

You think it would be possible to stay there for free and eat with them for maybe 2-3 months in exchange for some teaching?

rapanui · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 3

And since I'm also a photographer, a couple of months at a temple would be awesome from an "artistic" point of view! Smile

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

I don't know anything about teaching at monasteries nor TEFL in China. However, I'm sure if you do an Internet search on monastery TEFL China, you'll find organizations and agencies that list such opportunities and you can then direct your questions to them. Posting on the China forum might be helpful as well. By the way, if you get a TEFL situation at a monastery through a placement agency, you should refrain from practicing your Chinese as much as possible. Best to coordinate your personal language learning interests with a private Chinese teacher or through a Chinese-English language exchange separate from your teaching.

airapets · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 78 Location: The Middle Kingdom

I have seen ads before for monasteries in India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Of course they were also Buddhist.

whispechoes · Joined: 07 Feb 2010 Posts: 20

I have heard of all of the typical volunteer work as well- the ones that you have to pay to use. Some of them can actually be fairly cheap if you stay for a longer period of time. However, if you're insistent on not wanting to pay anything, the best tip I would have is to get in touch with a local for the area you want to go to somehow and ask them. Or, failing that, if you're really feeling adventurous, going there yourself and asking around town.

I read http://www.nerdynomad.com/, a blog about a girl who backpacks around the world and earns money as she does so. She's found a number of programs where she could volunteer for free, if not for any money, and she did so by asking locals wherever she landed.

PierogiMonster · Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 148

Hi

I spent four months this year as a volunteer Head Teacher at a Thai temple complex, two hours west of Bangok. It was an amazing experience. I taught monks and children from local schools.

Although I paid a middle man for the experience (like a schmuck!) the monastery is now operating directly (i.e. no money either way) and currently looking for teachers. I also know of another complex that's looking for teachers further south of the country.

Please PM me if you would like contact details.

Regards
J.