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The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing
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 Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Simon in Suzhou wrote: |
| Teaching in China is certainly NOT stressful. |
I'll throw this out: it depends on where you work and what you are used to. For Simon in Suzhou, teaching in China is not stressful. For others, it can be. In my job, I have to perform. By this I mean my school is completely exam-oriented and preparing kids for their school exams. If our students do not do well, our school suffers and so does my income. |
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therock
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Posts: 1266
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| In my job, I have to perform. |
Yep, most FT's have to perform..............playing their guitars, while singing songs and dancing to the tune of their masters!!! |
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doogsville
Joined: 17 Nov 2011
Posts: 924
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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| So would it be safe to say that the general feeling is that unless I was to get a position at a 'respected' International School that follows the UK curriculum and pays accordingly, that I would be in a sense wasting my time? |
No not really. I agree with Opiate, come over and have fun, but don't expect to advance your career any. For me the most stressfull thing here is often the lack of opportunity to teach at least in the way that I was used to in the UK. Teaching English here is very different from teaching back home. I
Come over if you want to experience the culture and meet new people, maybe learn a new language and have the chance to travel, but don't come over if you need to advance your career and want to extend your experience and skills as a teacher. Also, don't come over if you need to make or save money. While teaching here pays enough money for most of us to have a decent lifestyle, it doesn't translate to money in the bank back home.
It's up to you, but bear in mind it's a long way to come and a lot to give up unless your 100% sure it's what you want to do. Perhaps teaching in a different country would be a better option? |
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Simon in Suzhou
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 404
Location: GZ
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| Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:59 am Post subject: |
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| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
| Simon in Suzhou wrote: |
| Teaching in China is certainly NOT stressful. |
I'll throw this out: it depends on where you work and what you are used to. For Simon in Suzhou, teaching in China is not stressful. For others, it can be. In my job, I have to perform. By this I mean my school is completely exam-oriented and preparing kids for their school exams. If our students do not do well, our school suffers and so does my income. |
I'll throw this out. GWOW is right! It depends on what you are used to. If you have been a professional teacher in a western country, you will not have a lot of stress teaching in China. I have taught at private academies, public schools with 50 kids in the classes, and at universities here. Again, i can't speak for Scotland, but people who have taught in most western countries where it is the norm for a secondary teacher to prepare lessons, teach all day, and then go home with 2 or 3 hours of homework each night will find almost ANY teaching job in China less work. Add to the fact that generally Chinese students are MUCH more polite and attentive (even in a class of 50!) than western students (where classroom discipline and motivation can be a MAJOR frustration). Generally it is MUCH less stress.
I'm sure for GWOW his job is stressful. But compared to what? Was he a professional teacher back home? It's all a matter of perspective. I've yet to meet a certified teacher who has come here and didn't find being in the classroom here a DELIGHT! Chinese students are wonderful. Many of these teachers have struggled with the stresses of living in a very foreign culture, but they do not complain about the teaching. I have heard many people who have never been in a classroom outside of Asia complain about the teaching, however. With your qualifications, you should not settle for a singing/dancing/clown job as some complain about.
As others have said, I'm not sure that coming to China will do anything to enhance your professional goals back home. I'm also not convinced it will damage them. I have a good friend who was a Canadian public school teacher who worked in China for 3 years, had a great time, and went back home to teach without a hitch.
Be aware there are several posters here who have absolutely NOTHING positive to say about China and have made this board a bit toxic, driving off many people who could give you more balanced perspectives on working here on the mainland. There is some good advice here, but throw out the extremes. Heck, throw out my advice if it is too extreme. |
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sui jin
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 184
Location: near the yangtze
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| Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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If you are resourceful (and have some savings), why not just fly out to Shanghai and hit the streets? With your qualifications and experience, you should have no problem getting something quite quickly. February is the beginning of the new Uni term in China, so it's a good time to be looking in that sector. Language schools probably hire all year round. Unis in that part of China may be able to convert your tourist visa to a work visa/permit without you needing to go to HK.
Treat it as an adventure and worry about 'career development' later (when you know whether you like life in China or not). |
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therock
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Posts: 1266
Location: China
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| Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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| sui jin wrote: |
Unis in that part of China may be able to convert your tourist visa to a work visa/permit without you needing to go to HK.
). |
Or worse, they could ask him to go back to Scotland to apply for the work visa. |
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