Job Discussion Forums

[A'Moo]

[mrwslee003]

I would go to the school websites and apply myself. Don't trust the recruiters because they only have their own pocket in mind.

As far as white face goes-discrimination is world wide, not just in China, not just the texture of the skin. There is also age discrimination, sex-discrimination, size discrimination, just to name a few. If you have a chance to see the principal of the school and he usually can see the substance beneath the skin.

And he will get you on board toute de suite because he is thinking about
the kids receiving quality instructions and not someone that he can just
look at.

I'd say direct sales-sell yourself!

[vikeologist]

[mrwslee003]

The demand for FTs is so high in China that even locals can find jobs in places where FTs trot rarely, ie smaller towns that have a million or less
people. Mind you, you have to prepare to accept lower pay because
these people are less affluent than those in the bigger centres. Living
expenses are lower too.

If you start speaking and the locals hear you a native speaker they will
want to practise their English with you. They also can see you as foreign
by how you dress. If you change your shirts and pants to
local products you'll be safer because you dont become targets of pick pockets.

Imagine the feeling of being one of the masses, where as in NA you are
a minority and you stand out in the masses, it is a different feeling-an
awakening to say the least.

It just takes time for the locals to accept you for who you are-one of them with foreign skills. Further more, if you have a lao wei (white) friend with you, he/she will be treated with an enriched type of hospitality. The barriers they put up for foreigners just disappears.

Thus I say, go and "sell" yourself!

[msp64]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your advice and encouragement.

PIcking up my bags and going to China without a contract on a tourist visa is one of my last options, but being an adventurous person that I am, it's actually pretty appealing haha.

I have more confidence and patience now.

[landt]

Re: the 2 years' experience hurdle- this is an actual visa requirement if you are to get a foreign expert certificate and be a teacher in the eyes of the work permit authorities. If you don't have this, you get an alien employment license and technically you're an instructor, rather than a teacher.

Even within language mills, the terms of the business license for an individual school site may dictate whether they can employ teachers or instructors. If the school is officially a 'learning centre' (or whatever they call it), both 'teachers' and 'instructors' can work there. An official 'school' can only employ 'teachers' (ie 2 years' experience, foreign expert certificate).

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[JZer]

[mrwslee003]

If you go to China without a job, make sure you have copies of your academic documents with you. Even a copy of birth certificate to varify who you are. And a list of phone numbers from home and any contacts in China.

Of course everyone gets robbed, the desperate don't wait till a foreigner
shows up before they get hungary. However, if you advertise that you
are a foreigner even the uninitiated would be motivated to give you a
try.

Good luck and enjoy the adventure to the country of your roots!
And discover the extra dimension of your being.

[sharpe88]

This thread seems to come up every other week - do a search!

I will say that Wall Street is probably the most "image focused" of the language mills. If you peek in there, teachers are almost 100% caucasian.

Look elsewhere.

[sharpe88]

While I don't give employers credit for many things, this they usually CAN tell. They deal with a LOT of foreigners.

"Most employers could not tell a native from a non-native speaker anyways."