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mjlfoto
Joined: 17 Sep 2012
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 2:26 pm Post subject: ESL China 101? |
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Hello, I've been thinking of trying teaching for awhile now. I went through the paperwork process and was applying for Korea but the right offer never came along and my paperwork expired.
I'm thinking of looking towards China as an alternative but I'm not as confident in where to start. China is far larger than South Korea And I don't have much knowledge of Chinese cities outside of Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong.
As far as qualifications go I'm an american and graduated last year with a BFA. I know there is a vague "2-year experience" requirement that seems to be enforced depending on the province.
So, What cities should I be looking at? I know the bigger places like Shanghai and Beijing are probably off the tables without having the 2 years experience but I'd be excited about a city I know relatively nothing about so I can explore when I arrive. Having grown up in Wisconsin I'd like a change so maybe something costal or with a warmer climate?
I also have a question about University positions as I've read many of them have housing with a curfew? As someone who is awake late into the night that seems rather irritating. So is this typical all over or is it regional?
I am also looking to save money/pay off some student loans; are there locations which are better to do this in?
Really, any help pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated!
Thank you. |
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chinatimes
Joined: 27 May 2012
Posts: 478
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| Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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| So, What cities should I be looking at? |
Dalian and Qingdao have Korean communities. I worked in Shenyang, Xita street is Koreatown. Good for 6 months, but you might get bored in Shenyang.
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| As someone who is awake late into the night that seems rather irritating. So is this typical all over or is it regional? |
I believe it is scattered depending on the university rules. Start with public schools, consider the size, and ask yourself, why are these students not going to private universities? Because they didn't get the grade. Why not? Would they be more likely to party it up at night than someone who hits the books and then hits the sack right at 11pm? So, the school is going to crack down on them harder and teachers will feel the pressure too. Private universities I feel would allow more flexibility for the teachers, if not also the students.
I am in Beijing and I am getting mixed demands and rules to live by. There isn't one set of limitations across the board. You have choose your battles. What can you live without and what can't you?
Welcome to China, this is how it is done. You haggle and barter until you get what you want. It's not cookie cutter job offers like you get in Korea.
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| I am also looking to save money/pay off some student loans; are there locations which are better to do this in? |
Not in China like you can in Korea. However, I will erase what I just said by stating I worked 8 months at one school, and then 13 months at another. I didn't go out, I didn't eat at fancy restaurants, and I didn't buy much. Slowly and steadily I saved about 80% of my earnings (when working). So after 21 months of this, I was able to transfer quite a bit.
However, now I am in central Beijing, and there are too many distractions and things I want to splurge on. I am having to use money I transferred back home now. Not a hopeless scenario, but you will get caught up in your success in this country.
China is bigger, so there is more to see and more rungs in the ladder.
Before you go anywhere, decide where you want to be in 5 years time. How can you work towards this? |
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doogsville
Joined: 17 Nov 2011
Posts: 924
Location: China
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| Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:02 am Post subject: |
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| Come to Zhuhai. Nice city, clean air, close to Macau and Hong Kong, high speed rail link to Guangzhou and beyond, lively expat scene, lots of job opportunities, warm and sunny, cycle friendly. Downside? It's a bit small for some people who get bored easily or something, never been a problem for me. I'll PM you regarding a job opportunity. |
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GuestBob
Joined: 18 Jun 2011
Posts: 270
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| Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:05 am Post subject: Re: ESL China 101? |
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| mjlfoto wrote: |
| As far as qualifications go I'm an american and graduated last year with a BFA. I know there is a vague "2-year experience" requirement that seems to be enforced depending on the province. |
This is becoming increasingly important so try to find ways to beef up your CV.
| mjlfoto wrote: |
| Having grown up in Wisconsin I'd like a change so maybe something costal or with a warmer climate? |
Get on Google maps, look at China's South coast, pick a few cities and then search for jobs there.
| mjlfoto wrote: |
| I also have a question about University positions as I've read many of them have housing with a curfew? As someone who is awake late into the night that seems rather irritating. So is this typical all over or is it regional? |
It's occasional, not regional. It also indicates that you may not be in a flat but rather a dormitory style accommodation. This is not something which you should accept - I certainly never have.
| mjlfoto wrote: |
| I am also looking to save money/pay off some student loans; are there locations which are better to do this in? |
Depends what you want to do. Tier 2 cities will let you save more though and you shouldn't go to a big city without a full accommodation ride or housing allowance if you want to save money. |
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mwaltman
Joined: 07 May 2013
Posts: 78
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| Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 6:50 am Post subject: Re: ESL China 101? |
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| mjlfoto wrote: |
| Hello, I've been thinking of trying teaching for awhile now. |
Prime example of why foreigners are considered a joke in China. You don't just "try" teaching. Teaching is an actual profession. College education, experience, etc. is what makes a teacher, not just running away from your home country and taking a job like this for sake of nothing better to do. I haven't been able to stop shaking my head for the past 5 minutes over this.
Why not go to school, major in education, and then get a job as a teaching instead of "trying teaching"? |
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muffintop
Joined: 07 Jan 2013
Posts: 803
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| Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:15 am Post subject: Re: ESL China 101? |
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| mwaltman wrote: |
| mjlfoto wrote: |
| Hello, I've been thinking of trying teaching for awhile now. |
Prime example of why foreigners are considered a joke in China. You don't just "try" teaching. Teaching is an actual profession. College education, experience, etc. is what makes a teacher, not just running away from your home country and taking a job like this for sake of nothing better to do. I haven't been able to stop shaking my head for the past 5 minutes over this.
Why not go to school, major in education, and then get a job as a teaching instead of "trying teaching"? |
Don't get all snooty on him because China does not require FT's to be certified in their home country. If anything it mocks the Chinese education system, not FT's. Their system is so flawed and meaningless that they have to bring over just about anybody from another country to do a job that they failed to accomplish in 12ish years of school.
....and I just fed the troll. |
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GuestBob
Joined: 18 Jun 2011
Posts: 270
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| Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:17 am Post subject: Re: ESL China 101? |
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| mwaltman wrote: |
| Prime example of why foreigners are considered a joke in China. You don't just "try" teaching. |
If you have a good degree from a decent university and you work hard at your job then you can come and "try" teaching in China as far as I am concerned.
China's domestic sector is a fairly good place to start and EFL teaching career.
I agree with your general point, but you are being a little over zealous I think. |
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mjlfoto
Joined: 17 Sep 2012
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:53 am Post subject: Re: ESL China 101? |
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| mwaltman wrote: |
| mjlfoto wrote: |
| Hello, I've been thinking of trying teaching for awhile now. |
Prime example of why foreigners are considered a joke in China. You don't just "try" teaching. Teaching is an actual profession. College education, experience, etc. is what makes a teacher, not just running away from your home country and taking a job like this for sake of nothing better to do. I haven't been able to stop shaking my head for the past 5 minutes over this.
Why not go to school, major in education, and then get a job as a teaching instead of "trying teaching"? |
Everyone has to start somewhere. People TRY things to find out if they'll enjoy them or not. If you don't have anything of value to contribute to my question don't say anything at all.
Thanks to those who have tried pointing me in the right direction. |
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rogerwilco
Joined: 10 Jun 2010
Posts: 1549
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| Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 8:01 am Post subject: Re: ESL China 101? |
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| mjlfoto wrote: |
Everyone has to start somewhere. People TRY things to find out if they'll enjoy them or not. If you don't have anything of value to contribute to my question don't say anything at all.
Thanks to those who have tried pointing me in the right direction. |
Feel free to ignore anything and everything that "mwaltman" posts using that alias, and many of his other aliases.
That is what the majority of us do. |
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GeminiTiger
Joined: 15 Oct 2004
Posts: 999
Location: China, 2005--Present
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| Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 12:15 am Post subject: Re: ESL China 101? |
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| mjlfoto wrote: |
I haven't been able to stop shaking my head for the past 5 minutes over this.
Why not go to school, major in education, and then get a job as a teaching instead of "trying teaching"? |
In communist China, students teach teachers! |
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