Job Discussion Forums

[Minnehaha1512]

Hello. I am wondering what others think on this topic. If one has the qualifications to do so (for instance, a BS or even an MS in say chemistry or mathematics or economics), is there some wisdom to accepting one of these A-Level/IGCSE university prep positions, or is it like asking to get buried in the sand with exhaustion and tasks innumerable?
I have seen strong exhortations to seek out university jobs preferentially (with the added caveat of bulking up one's income with privates on the side) and also statements that many of these A-Level/IGCSE teaching positions are managed by somewhat shady groups trying to skim off the capital to be found there. But these A-Level/IGCSE positions do seem to come with a much higher salary than those extolled ESL uni jobs requiring only 16 hours a week or similar, so I just wonder where the best path lies. Any thoughts on this?

[Bud Powell]

Who is telling you about A-Level/IGCSE university prep positions in China?

[Minnehaha1512]

Approached by recruiters or other groups I was about these positions after putting my name out there on certain job boards from home, but the statements I made in my opening question about these types of positions are just based off what I have observed from others' comments on this forum (e.g. http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=106965&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 - gosh, I hope that goes through).

[Minnehaha1512]

Maybe I am looking at this question all wrong because perhaps it boils down to a matter of where your passion lies (e.g. subject teaching versus teaching English) and what age group you prefer to teach, but I just was curious about how these two different routes compare in terms of quality of life (like whether or not you are pulling your hair out in China for a whole year) or even stature and the ability to move on to other opportunities afterwards.

[Mikeylikesit114]

I'd say it depends on the money, the administration of the school, and the curriculum.

Subject teaching is a full time job in most cases, and so if you are not paid well, not teaching something you enjoy teaching, or you don't get along with admin then life can be unpleasant. If you find the right gig, it can be like getting paid to pursue a hobby.

Personally I prefer AP to British curriculum, but it looks as if I'm going to have to suck it up and pretend to think like a Brit this year.

Edit: I forgot about the students...world class students or awful ones can also affect the balance.

[Minnehaha1512]

Thanks Mikey, I appreciate your thoughts. It helps a lot - thanks.

[Hatcher]

The cake uni job is attractive in many ways.

But if you want to teach a subject class, the high schools are the way to go.

PS. If anyone knows of a big international high school in Shanzen, could you leave the name here?

[Bud Powell]

I've worked mostly university jobs. None of them were cake jobs. It's the flakes who make them cake jobs.

[Shanghai Noon]

Anything is a cakewalk compared to GCSE. I'm preparing to make a decision between GCSE and a bilingual kindergarten. I'm leaning towards the kindergarten.

[Bud Powell]

[Non Sequitur]

OP is ignoring the culture shock portion of the China equation.
Any recommendation I've made re uni jobs is to give the newbie some space to get used to life here. Where they take their career after that is for them to decide.
Also posters who recoil from the possibility of teaching in a British or other system that isn't their native one, should really reconsider whether any activity outside the US is for them.

[Minnehaha1512]

Hello. I realize "cake" sounds rather indifferent and immature and was probably not the best choice of words in versing this forum topic - sorry about that.
Non Sequitur, by "OP is ignoring the culture shock portion of the China equation," what qualities of the China equation confer that sort of experience? Is it demands placed on guest teachers or some work intensive mentality of that kind? I was just curious about this caveat.

[Bud Powell]

"... by 'OP is ignoring the culture shock portion of the China equation,' what qualities of the China equation confer that sort of experience?..."

Please tell me that you are kidding. PLEASE.

If you are asking this question, you should NOT leave your own home town.

[Non Sequitur]

Thanks Bud
I suggest he stay in his Mom's basement.
Has OP read nothing on this site?
'Culture shock' includes:
Pollution
Insane traffic
Large classes
Poor teaching resources
Lack of or late information
Demotivated students
Always on guard against food and water-borne illness
All of these have been mentioned on job related and off topic China forums in recent times.

[Bud Powell]

Language
Change in cultural norms (a huge area in itself)
Ability to respond properly (or at all)
Home sickness
Change in circadian rhythm
Anxiety which results fro an attempt to adapt
Inability to read people's body language

Inability to distinguish from real friends and false friends, and the resulting anguish when you learned that you've been screwed by someone you trusted

Change in patterns of logic

There's no end to it.

I was sort of lucky. My worst cultural shock came when I realized that the Chinese university system was similar to and dissimilar from the American university system in the worst ways. Otherwise, it was mostly a comedy movie in a foreign language with no subtitles.