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jdubbs
Joined: 05 Apr 2013
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 12:31 pm Post subject: Uni vs. Other, Location, Direct Hire ops, etc. |
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I�ve been following the forum for a little while now and would like to throw some questions out that I�ve read bits and pieces about, but want to better understand. I�m stating my preferences in some instances here, so please let me know if my expectations in any area are unreasonable or misguided.
A little background-
I'm 33; graduated in 2005 with a BSBA in marketing. My background�s in sales, but I�d like to travel and I've have come to appreciate how much I enjoy communicating concepts I�m comfortable with to others. No experience teaching English, though. I just purchased a 150hr online TESOL program to knock out this summer (I know classroom training is what really counts, but the price seemed worth it just for the knowledge). Quality of life is as important as $ to me, but I�d def like to maximize my earning potential.
I'm managing a seasonal business here in Virginia Beach for the summer, and I thought teaching in a university would be a good fit if for no other reason than timing. It's my understanding that the uni's are hiring now for the Fall semster in Sept.
I like to know more about why many experienced teachers prefer working in a university to other options (international schools, etc.) It seems to be a more relaxed track, with fewer work hours and more time off, but generally paying less. Is the income generally supplemented with tutoring? Is a good university position a possibility for me with no classroom experience? Is it the track you'd recommended for a new teacher like myself? I�ve read that 2 years teaching experience is required when it comes to your prospective employer getting your visa, but not sure where/how strictly this is enforced.
I get that I need to avoid employment through a recruiter and get hired directly though a school, but I'm having difficulty finding those jobs listed. Everything looks like a recruiter to me on all the sites I've researched. Any suggestions? Please feel free to PM me if you have a lead on anything specific.
Lastly, I like being in an urban setting in the middle of things. I'd like to be somewhere with a nightlife and cool outdoor activities. I am worried about pollution, though, and I know the cities are much worse for this. Any location suggestions that strike a balance there? Guangzhou seems like a good possibility from what I�ve seen. Yangshuo sounds interesting as well, though smaller with less income potential.
All I�m looking for is the perfect location and gig 
Thanks in advance for your responses! |
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roadwalker
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch
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| Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 1:41 pm Post subject: Re: Uni vs. Other, Location, Direct Hire ops, etc. |
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| jdubbs wrote: |
I�ve been following the forum for a little while now and would like to throw some questions out that I�ve read bits and pieces about, but want to better understand. I�m stating my preferences in some instances here, so please let me know if my expectations in any area are unreasonable or misguided.
A little background-
I'm 33; graduated in 2005 with a BSBA in marketing. My background�s in sales, but I�d like to travel and I've have come to appreciate how much I enjoy communicating concepts I�m comfortable with to others. No experience teaching English, though. I just purchased a 150hr online TESOL program to knock out this summer (I know classroom training is what really counts, but the price seemed worth it just for the knowledge). Quality of life is as important as $ to me, but I�d def like to maximize my earning potential.
Classroom practice is very important. Perhaps with a background in sales/marketing, you are comfortable speaking to strangers. Are you comfortable speaking to people who can't understand what you are saying (but nod their heads when it sounds like you are asking a question?)
I'm managing a seasonal business here in Virginia Beach for the summer, and I thought teaching in a university would be a good fit if for no other reason than timing. It's my understanding that the uni's are hiring now for the Fall semster in Sept.
That's correct. China's academic year is about the same as an American private school's academic year. Sept 1 to end of June for me, usually. You may be needed into July (when finals are over) so check with your school.
I like to know more about why many experienced teachers prefer working in a university to other options (international schools, etc.) It seems to be a more relaxed track, with fewer work hours and more time off, but generally paying less.
If you are licensed by your state, province or whatever to teach public schools, you may be qualified to work for a true international school. Some on this forum have such work. Most of us are not qualified and many don't want that type of work even if qualified. Real options for most with the basic quals (Bachelor's, two years experience, TEFL certificate-not a true requisite, but often required, Anglophone passport) include universities and other tertiary schools, public and private high schools, kindergartens, and language schools (mills) for either children or adults and sometimes both.
Universities are particularly popular because the students don't usually mess themselves, their parents aren't there, and they often have some working knowledge of English already, so can follow directions. Furthermore, they can be delightful to teach. Also, teachers often have little supervision, which is preferable to many.
Is the income generally supplemented with tutoring?
[i]
Very often yes. I don't usually take outside work because I find that my salary more than covers my expenses. But it's not hard to find outside work and it often comes looking for you, either through the school or else-wise.
[/i]
Is a good university position a possibility for me with no classroom experience?
Yes it is possible, but probably not in the areas where foreigners like to live, since there are teachers with better credentials likely. You can find work in places where you might be the only one, or one of a small group of foreigners. Those places have people who will stare at you because you are weird. They might be places you will grow to love all the same. Or not.
Is it the track you'd recommended for a new teacher like myself? I�ve read that 2 years teaching experience is required when it comes to your prospective employer getting your visa, but not sure where/how strictly this is enforced.
It really depends on how much the school wants to hire you. Experience training people can be counted as teaching: it doesn't necessarily have to be in an academic classroom. (But people with years of English teaching will likely be counted above you, all things being equal.) Some places have a hard time attracting foreigners. (NOT Beijing; Shanghai; Guangzhou; other places you have heard of.)
I get that I need to avoid employment through a recruiter and get hired directly though a school, but I'm having difficulty finding those jobs listed. Everything looks like a recruiter to me on all the sites I've researched. Any suggestions? Please feel free to PM me if you have a lead on anything specific.
To look for universities and their contacts, start with google or wikipedia. Go to the schools website and try to sleuth a contact for applying for work. Being annoying is ok. Chinatefl dot com has recruiters and it also has paid advertisers (search by province) who give information on their school and who leave their contact info under the tab: "recruitment". Contact those employers directly, even though the contact person may have changed.
In your situation, you may want to ask for recruiters' help since you may lack experience and are therefore less marketable. Just be sure not to come over on a tourist visa for a job. See about a thousand cautionary tales on this forum and elsewhere. Angelina's Esl cafe has many uni jobs for those places that foreigners don't like to go, and a few bait jobs in those popular places.
Lastly, I like being in an urban setting in the middle of things. I'd like to be somewhere with a nightlife and cool outdoor activities. I am worried about pollution, though, and I know the cities are much worse for this. Any location suggestions that strike a balance there? Guangzhou seems like a good possibility from what I�ve seen. Yangshuo sounds interesting as well, though smaller with less income potential.
Guangzhou and anywhere in the Pearl River Delta would be very difficult in my opinion for you to find a decent uni gig. Lots of foreigners and lots of teaching experience and credentials. Perhaps some language school or middle school (jr or sr high school) would hire you but be careful (why can't they get more qualified teachers in such a target-rich environment?) Outside that Delta, you may have better luck in Guangdong.
Yangshuo is NOT an urban area by any stretch. It is a kind of hippy tourist rural enclave of Guilin, a small tourist city. The beauty of the Li River area brings many Chinese and foreign tourists to both places. Read posts by Denim-Maniac to get some idea about the place (Yangshuo). You are right about the smaller part and probably about the income potential, since native speakers abound, albeit often for short stretches only. Getting work may be doable there, but high savings potential would take some fast talking or slow building up of contacts.
If you like the fast pace of urban settings all of the time, then try to get a job in the big cities. (Over say, 3 million people). If ACCESS to occasional nightlife or shopping options or whatever is what's important, then follow the rail lines. China has great public transportation, including city to city. You can work in some podunk town that has no discernible nightlife, shopping or cuisine but is less than a couple hours by reliable transport to the big city.
All I�m looking for is the perfect location and gig
Thanks in advance for your responses! |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Sums it up nicely. |
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jdubbs
Joined: 05 Apr 2013
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 12:16 am Post subject: |
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| Walker, I can't thank you enough for responding point by point there. You've helped me realign my expectations. Thanks again for all the details |
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