Job Discussion Forums

[SWSmiley]

Hello. I am a 50 year old US male looking for a mid-career break by teaching ESL to adults in China. I am fluent in Mandarin but am not Asian. Twenty plus years ago I taught ESL in both Taiwan and Japan for a year each but was never certified in TEFL. I have a master’s degree in international affairs but have spent the past fifteen years in health care as a therapy assistant. I think that’s the pertinent information about me.

I want to get certified with a 120 hour TEFL course that would not only help in procuring a good job but that would also help train me for the job of teaching in China. With that in mind, I’ve been looking into the option of TEFL courses taught in China. For those who know the landscape, is a CELTA course such as those offered by Language Link (http://www.celtachina.com.cn/) or Cactus (http://www.cactustefl.com/tefl) the way to go or are other TEFL certification courses also practical for teaching adults in China (e.g. TEFL China, http://www.teflchina.com.cn/; ITTT, https://www.teflcorp.com/tefl-china-shanghai/dates/) ?

I figure that during the time that I would be taking the course in country I would be in a better position to network and research the job market. Since I don’t plan on teaching in Beijing or Shanghai where most of these courses are offered, would taking a TEFL course in either of these cities be beneficial when it came to finding a job elsewhere? Or am I on the wrong path altogether? Do you think getting a CELTA/TEFL certification in the US a better option?

[jimpellow]

Hmm..

Some quick random thoughts that come to mind.

An advantage would be to see is you can sample China before making the full dive.

Technically speaking, the quality of the courses is supposed to be the same as they have oversight. But rarely does quality triumph in China.

With the new visa regulations, a fair amount of the jurisdictions are requiring that you apply for your z-visa in your home country. Hence, you would fly to China to get your certification and then secure employment. Then you would have to return to the US to get the visa, and then fly back to China. It is possible you could stay on the tourist visa and do it through courier and a visa agency. If so you may run out on your non work visa. (as a US citizen you are now are supposed to get 10 years, but what you actually get can be different). It is thus possible that you would have to fly to a third country and wait it out). But travel without your documents? Also more jurisdictions are requiring a national (FBI) check. This will probably take 4 months in total. What would you do during this time? So very difficult to pull it off without great expense and effort or finding and limiting yourself to jurisdictions that have easier requirements.

Obviously, it would be good for networking.

I would go for the CELTA. It gives you much better options in the future. Not really in China, but if you tire of China and want to say work the Middle East.

Anything with a Chinese connection does not always go over so well in other countries. When I was in Mexico before where I am now I interviewed for an online Japanese school. She said something like this ..."Oh I see that you taught Japanese and Koreans when you were in the Philippines. And I see you taught Saudis before that. And I see for five years you taught...CHINEEEESE (yech)!

[SWSmiley]

Lots of very good information I wasn't necessarily even considering. Thanks for the insight.

[RiverMystic]

I doubt the location matters much, although as mentioned if you do it in China you will dip your foot in the waters.

If money is an issue, try Thailand or Vietnam or Philippines. I did my CELTA through International House in Bangkok. Very professional, but tough. But the CELTA is tough everywhere. Just tough it out for the 26 days or so. Be prepared to surrender your soul for the course duration.

[jimpellow]

[Art78]

I agree with RiverMystic and gimpfellow. Go for the CELTA first because it is the gold standard in TEFL/TESL qualifications. It doesn't matter where you do the CELTA as long as it is an accredited by Cambridge English. Here's a link about the CELTA and the centres that offer them: http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/celta/

Just before you do your CELTA course, get started with the FBI background check.

Once you survive AND pass the CELTA course, you can start looking for TEFL jobs.

[jimpellow]