Job Discussion Forums

[Brianbro]

I've spoken to a couple of schools and recruiter recently, and they mentioned that due to a new policy on Apirl 1st, foreign teachers are now required to notarize and authenticate their TEFL certificates. I'm wondering if this is actually a national requirement, school specific, or recruiters not knowing what they're doing? Does anyone know if this is really the case? It would also be great if teachers who have secured their visas recently could tell me what they were required to do. Thanks.

Edit: The schools and recruiters I've heard this from were located in Sichuan and Guizhou provinces. I don't know if other provinces would have this or not, but it would also be great to know if that's the case.

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

Which schools and which recruiters?

I haven't heard about authentication of TEFL certs, but I heard that one's certificate of live birth will require presentation and authentication in the near future.

[The bear]

[Tazz]

Authenticate + notarise.....sign, stamp, chop-whatever. It all equals time and expenditure by the applicant. For University or College position in the Gulf, paying $3-4 thou a month, prepared to jump through the hoops. For Korean University, paying $2-3 thousand a month, also will go through the hoops. For Chinese government University-paying $1 thou a month, no way.

[jimpellow]

Actually, if you Google this issue and filter results for the last thirty days, you will find more than enough references from "valid" sources that this does appear to be a new requirement popping up in jurisdictions suddenly. Hence, I would think that it is coming down form Beijing. Seems it has to be a 120 hour TEFL too.

However, it is rather vague if you need the TEFL at all. Some sources seem to indicate that it is only necessary if you don't have two years experience. Others seem to indicate you need both. Haha

Tazz's comment about the payoff for new,as well as renewing, teachers is spot on. What he failed to point out is that in countries with cumbersome visa processes like SK and the Gulf States, the hoops are visible and lined up in a row. For China, new hoops are suddenly appearing, spinning around in circles etc...

[nimadecaomei]

Wonder if certified teachers also need the TELF.

[Tazz]

That would be....kind of ridiculous wouldn't it? A teacher with QTS being also expected to have a '6 hour teaching practice' CELTA! But, we are talking China so yeah, maybe true........

[jimpellow]

[Tazz]

Golly! Does this apply to 'new hires' or those who may be extending at the same institute? That will be a nice summer vacation activity for those on 6-7k a month.