Job Discussion Forums

[ProduceSection]

So I've been mulling over the idea of trying to get a teaching job overseas for a few years, and I've decided I want to take the plunge. I've been browsing this forum and others for awhile and tried to piece things together but there's so much contradictory info out there I figured I'd just ask directly: can I get a job teaching in China, and, if so, what kind? If not, where else should I look/how can I improve my chances?

I'm 23, will be 24 in August. I graduated from an upper-tier college in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. I worked part time at a major newspaper as a reporter in college and have been full-time at another paper since last February.

I have a pretty strong background in written English, but I have very little teaching. I don't have any certifications, and I gave one-on-one ESL lessons to a Spanish woman in Fall 2011 but she flaked after the fifth lesson, so that's not much to go on. I have been coaching youth lacrosse, so I have some experience with kids, but I'm not sure whether that's relevant.

So, looking at all that, what sort of job, if any, can I get?

I'm not sure if my motivations are relevant, but I figured I'd add them in case they are. I'm looking at teaching overseas moreso as an opportunity to build foreign experience and learn about another culture through immersion than as a career. My end game is to use a year or two of experience to put myself on a path to international journalism or some sort of diplomatic position. If I do go to China, I'd like to be functional in Mandarin, so if any of you have advice on how to do that, awesome.

Wall of text, I know, but if any of you have any advice you can give, it's greatly appreciated. And if you need any more details on anything, let me know and I'll provide. Thanks for the help.

[hilena_westb]

You do not meet the minimum legal requirements of obtaining a valid Z work visa in China (25 years of age, 4 year degree, 2 years teaching experience, and a teaching certificate such as TEFL, etc.)

[sPinkomania]

This is true.

I find the 25 years old thing isn't much of a problem though. The government doesn't check for age, as it does check for 2 years of experience teaching after graduation. Since you don't have 2 years of experience that can't even be loosely interpreted as teaching, I think you'll run into difficulty getting a Z-visa.

Perhaps Korea, Taiwan or Japan?

[ProduceSection]

Got it, thanks. That's actually one of the things I'm trying to clear up. I keep seeing the 2 year employment/25 years old/certification stated as being necessary to get a job. Just as often, though, people say that's not necessarily true. I'm not disputing, just trying to figure out why there's so much contradictory info out there and discern what the real, concrete baseline is.

[choudoufu]

no problems at all. you meet the requirements. (the requirements are
more guidelines than definite rules, and are not uniformly enforced.)

you should have a bs degree. any field.

you should have 2 years work experience post graduation.
any work experience. don't even gotta be related to your major.

teaching experience isn't legally required, but some districts will require it.
your part-time ESL and your lacrosse coaching will be considered as
teaching experience (your school will rewrite/massage your resume), as
will training new employees how to make french fries.

there really isn't a minimum age required. people just assume you should
be "about 25" as that would be your age after you graduated and worked 2 years.

you should have a passport (even if you emigrated from kenya) from one
of the "big 5."

there is no requirement for teaching credentials or any sort of certification.

the bigger cities will be more stricter in their requirements. smaller cities
much less stricterer.

[ProduceSection]

Thanks, choudoufu. Do you teach or have you taught English in China? If so, where would you recommend I look for a position? Also, I've seen several people on this forum people recommending university gigs -- why are they more desirable than the elementary/high school positions I often see listed?

[ProduceSection]

I should probably also add that I'm white and from the US, as I understand that's relevant to finding positions. Sent out to have my passport renewed a few weeks ago and it should be in hand soon.

[hilena_westb]

"Guidelines" ? That's a good one. They are work laws, not guidelines. Just because they are not enforced doesn't mean garbage. They are laws. Existence of corruption or ignorance by officials does not negative the status of something being a law.

[SledgeCleaver]

Frankly, hilenab might know what she's talking about, but she knows so much about technicalities that she seems hilariously blind to what actually happens in this world of ours. The bending of rules, especially in places like China, is not the exception, it's the rule. Corruption, similarly, is not the exception; it's the rule. Would you listen to someone who told you you should never bribe a Russian police officer, because it's against the law? Of course it's against the law. It's also against common sense not to do it, since nobody has ever been arrested for it and it's done every day by thousands and perhaps millions of people.

Anyways, I've heard in about twenty different places that most of these rules are BS, that 19-year-olds with no experience, no degree, and no TEFL can teach and have taught in China. You won't be teaching at Beijing University, but there are jobs available if you just want a simple jobby job and are not too picky. Just apply widely, you'll find something. The only thing I'd say is don't enter the country without a Z-visa. If they send you a Z-visa, you'll know you're golden, that they're a legit enough school and that they can legitimately hire foreigners.

Consider getting a TEFL, at least a crappy online one, so long as you have a month and a few hundred bucks to spare. A crappy online TEFL might not get you awesome jobs in Italy or Dubai or whatever, but for China it should be 100% sufficient to get you past technical obligations, both with employers and the law.

[SledgeCleaver]

I don't know as many sites as some but you can start here:
seriousteachers.com
eslemployment.com

[Non Sequitur]

ProduceSection if you can't write up your experience & quals in such a way as to get a public sector or vocational college job I'll eat my proverbial.
Your timing is ideal for Sept start.
Go through the process of registering on seriousteachers.com as it will force you to consider what you have to do for any other job application.
Don't use your PP mug shot but a more animated lifestyle pic.
Three things to show:
1. you have white face
2. you are not in a wheelchair
3. you have at least one other adult person in your life who is not ashamed of being photographed with you.

[choudoufu]

[fred13331]

[fred13331]

[doogsville]

Indeed, negate, at least use proper English Hilena_westb. Also, if you're going to quote laws and state absolutes try to get it right. The requirement is for a degree, not a four year degree. I got my degree in three years. Many degrees in the UK are awarded in three years.