Job Discussion Forums

[roygbiv]

Greetings! Please could someone tell me what's going on with the increasing number of schools and universities now only hiring nationals from English speaking countries?

[Non Sequitur]

In the last couple of years South African passport holders have been taken off the list.
So the OK group is UK, NZ, Aust, Canadian and Irish Republic*.
But like everything in China, rules are applied capriciously and passport will be overlooked if a place needs to be filled.
I think it's funny that a Francophone Canadian will be OK but an Anglophone South African will be excluded.
My advice is look at provincial hard to staff areas. This means 3rd tier provincial cities. I mentioned Yantai in Shandong recently as a 3rd tier city with 3 or 3 tertiary govt colleges.
* plus of course, the good ol' USA.

[Toast]

I've worked with a Ukranian and Mexican who were here legally and had FECs, plus known a couple of Filippinos. Depends on your schools sway with the PSB. General rule is less desirable areas (think western provinces) will be willing to make exceptions more so than in the Tier 1 cities.

*Side note* the non-native speakers I knew consistently had a better grasp of the language, put in more effort and were generally better all round teachers than those from the native speaking countries.

[Non Sequitur]

I agree with toast about Western provinces.
I would add that going to the less desirable areas will probably only apply for your first contract.
Once you have a track record and an initial FEC, you will probably find it easier to improve your lot.

[roygbiv]

Thanks for your replies

Non Sequitur, I've seen South African's back on the list in some ads

Toast, yes the irony is that high-level, non-native, English teachers can be better teachers than native speakers.

I agree that less desirable regions would present fewer obstacles.

[Non Sequitur]

I've not seen a list, but others have better access to the inner workings.
My source is the school ads and if SA passports are on a particular ad it may indicate that there is some discretion.
That could indicate a possible opening for you (OP).

[kev7161]

[muffintop]

Hmmm....

Did WLamar get banned?

[fat_chris]

[teachingld2004]

Native speakers are the first choice. But that rule does not always apply. The person who hires can hire anyone he/she deems fit. Welcome to China where one hand does not know, or care what the other one is doing.

[ymmv]

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[Non Sequitur]

[Shroob]

I question the use of 'must' when it comes to China and regulations.

[Bud Powell]

I've known and known of teachers in the cities in Jiangsu where I've worked who were from Egypt, Filippines, South Africa, the Cameroons, Sweden, and Texas. It's not just the western regions. It depends upon how much pull the FAO has in a particular school, as well as the general need.

[Babala]

I think it also depends on the type of school. Universities seem to be able to hire teachers from non-English countries more easily. Training centers for some reason (at least in my city) are unable to. I had a great teacher from Norway apply and we tried everything to get him a RP and unfortunately in the end we had no luck.