Job Discussion Forums

[The_Big_White_Elephant]

Hello everyone,

I will (hopefully) be starting my first teaching job in China about a year from now.I will be graduating from university in about 9 months and will have a very limited supply of savings, so I won't have the money to take a $1500+ in-class TEFL course before I start my first job. So, I am considering just doing an online course, then finding an entry-level teaching job in China, and after my first year (if I enjoy teaching), I will probably get a CELTA.

I am not sure how long I will be teaching in China, and I have no idea if I will enjoy teaching, so I feel like just getting a cheap online certificate rather than an expensive in-class one might be a better starting point for me.

For my first job, I would like to teach in a third-tier city or smaller town. I am majoring in Chinese language at university, so my Chinese is decent, and I want to live in a smaller city to avoid English and other foreigners. I have already lived in China for a year studying abroad, so culture shock isn't a big issue for me. I also get the impression that jobs in smaller cities are more laid back and less strict, partly due to the fact that it's hard to attract foreigners there.

I think teaching at a language school seems like a good idea for somebody with no teaching experience, since they typically have small class sizes, provided curricula, and lower standards in general. I'm aware that the hours will be longer and not quite as convenient as university hours.

I get stage fright (something I need to get over and part of the reason I want to teach) and am not exactly confident in my teaching abilities at this point, so I think teaching children would be better for my first job, as they won't notice as much if I'm a nervous wreck or not the greatest teacher at first. The thought of teaching adults for my first job terrifies me. I'm aware that teaching children comes with it's own drawbacks, but I think I would prefer this to the other option.

In summary:

- online teaching certificate
- third-tier or smaller city
- teaching children at a language school

Does this sound like an okay idea?

I look forward to hearing everybody's thoughts

Thanks.

[3701 W.119th]

Chinese major? Great skill to have here, obviously.

Sad but true - No real teaching qualifications needed for 2nd, 3rd tier cities, or even in the tier 1 cities. Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, these are huge places. During your first year 'finding yourself', deciding if you like teaching, all of your students (and their parents) are paying big money.

Teaching small children, it isn't really teaching. It's babysitting in your native tongue. Incredibly hard job. I wouldn't have the personality, energy, nor inclination for it.

Flip your post, and imagine someone coming to one of our countries to work, with a similar argument to yours. How would you feel?

Best of luck to you.

[Markness]

[esl_prof]

Your language skills and previous experience living in China are a big plus.

Skip the online TEFL course. Save your money for the CELTA instead.

Between now and graduation, try to do the following:

1. Get some volunteer tutoring experience at home by volunteering your time with (1) an adult ESL program in your community, (2) international students at your college, or (3) ESL students in the local public schools.

2. If you have room in your course schedule, take a college credit class in methods of teaching ESL or whatever the intro-level ESL course is for education majors at your school. If you're not an education major, you may need to tell the prof why you want to take the course and get her to sign off to let you in.

3. Begin reading as many intro-level teaching methods and activity books as you can get your hands on. A hundred dollars in used books off of Amazon.com (or, cheaper yet, your university library) will be a much better investment than the online TEFL course.

Teaching kids vs. adults is, frankly, a personal choice. Getting some volunteer experience with both, however, will boost your confidence in the classroom and give you a better sense of which route you want to go once it's time to start applying for jobs in China.

Good luck, and please keep us posted on how things turn out!

[nomad soul]

The following stuck out from your post:

[dblkhqc]

You seem to be missing the other two legal requirements for working in China: age 25 and two years teaching experience. Are you just going to manipulate things a little on the resume?

[wangdaning]

[The_Big_White_Elephant]

"Does this sound like an okay idea?[/quote]
No, it doen't sound like an okay idea. Plus, if the above is how you'd respond to an interviewer's questions about why you want to teach for their school, then..."

I would totally respond that way in an interview, because I'm just that dumb.

"Anyway, other than possibly curing you of your stage fright, you don't give any clear reason why you want to teach English upon graduation. (The fact that you're asking here about it being a "stupid" idea---obviously, you don't feel sure about teaching EFL.) "

No, I don't feel totally sure about it, that's why I want to try it out...obviously. I want to teach EFL upon graduation for a variety of reasons:

1) It seems like it could be an interesting, exciting, and fulfilling career possibility.
2) It will allow me to live in China and improve my language skills
3) It will increase my confidence and interpersonal skills

"Additionally, it was a year ago that you first brought up the idea of teaching, and yet, you've had ample time to change your academic focus to possibly minoring in education but didn't. "

That's because minoring in education would've required me to stay a few extra quarters at my university, which I couldn't afford.

"Rather than using Chinese children and their parents to figure out how to be a mediocre to ineffective teacher, why not look for internships that fit your career interests since teaching isn't likely to be one of them?"

I guess I did something to offend you. My plan is to became a good teacher, not a mediocre one. Thanks for the insulting assumption though. And on the contrary, teaching is currently my main career interest, and if I enjoy it, I plan on getting a CELTA, an ma tesol, and possibly even a teaching certificate to maximize my qualifications and effectiveness as a teacher. You really should stop making assumptions.

" I suggest you also take a look at "US students losing interest in China: dream jobs not there" (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=110226).

As for your stage fright, be proactive by joining your local Toastmasters or volunteering at a nonprofit ESL literacy/refugee organization in your area or joining an amateur singing or dance group or becoming a volunteer reader for children at your local library or..."

Have done some volunteering for this purpose, but its hard to find time on top of being a full time student with a part time job.

I really want to know what I did to offend you, because your entire post was nothing but a bunch of unhelpful, condescending remarks.

I thank everybody else for their input and will probably be back tomorrow with some more questions.[/b]

[doogsville]

The Internet is sadly overpopulated by people who would not dare open their mouths to voice and opinion in real life, but feel safe enough in their bedrooms to rain all over other peoples parades. Sad, pathetic even, but there you go. I think your plan is sound. I think a private school, or language mill, would be ideal. I don't think you need to stick to a lower tier city just to practice your Chinese, just don't hang out with other foreigners in whichever city you end up in.

I think your motives for coming here are sound. I have yet to meet or hear about anyone who came or is coming here to make the world a better place and sacrifice themselves for the greater good of all humanity. You're coming to give your language skills in exchange for some teaching experience and the opportunity to build your confidence. I think that's a good deal for all parties myself. All teachers, no matter where they come from or end up teaching, have to start somewhere.

Good luck and go for it, and try to spend less time on Internet forums asking for other peoples opinions about your life choices.

[nomad soul]

[santi84]

I teach children and adults. They are very different beasts.

True, with young children, it is unlikely you will ever have to stand in front of a silent, staring group of people and fumble through the concept of adjectival phrases.

The difficult part with children is classroom management and keeping your "on switch" on at all times. If you aren't going to take a proper basic certification (which is a problematic attitude for a teacher, but that's an argument made 10,000 times here), then I recommend you put in some volunteer hours in a local kindergarten. Obviously, cultures vary, but kids are still kids, and you'll benefit from seeing how much singing, TPR, dancing, and cheery attitude is needed. All you need is your criminal record check and to make a call to the principal.

Remember, the point on teaching children is to help someone's child have a good experience (or, education, depending on circumstances). Children are not a default for nervous people. While nomads's post might have offended you, keep in mind, the implications in your post are pretty offensive for teachers and parents. Teach kids because you want to make them happy. A lack of education is easily forgiven at this level.

[esl_prof]

[nomad soul]

Additionally, what's the rush to get to China? Consider working a few months longer while in your home country in order to set aside money for a decent onsite TEFL course that includes assessed teaching practice with real students. It should also help lessen your anxiety about speaking in public.

[esl_prof]

[The_Big_White_Elephant]