Job Discussion Forums

[montagdarko]

Hi again!
I am contacting some recruiters and many are telling me that as a non native speaker i could find a jov easier if i do a TEFL course and of course the certificate.
What is your opinion on that?
Thanks in advance
Maria

[nomad soul]

Are you averse to the idea? If so, why?

[Jmbf]

What's your background? Any other teaching qualifications / experience?

[Elegantstatue]

I spent 18 months at University and graduated with a formal teaching diploma, in Australia. You would think that after being eligible for certification opportunities would arise in my home city. The truth is that is not reality.

In Australia, regardless of the subject method one chooses to qualify in, one will end up being more unemployable than prior to studying for a teaching qualification. The only reason education faculties promote 'teaching' and further studies is because, if the faculties don't exist then lecturers would be unemployed too. The government won't permit that to happen, it too gets kickbacks in the form of votes from Universities and Colleges.

What is the point of what I am saying? Why continue to study when the unemployment queue in Australia gets longer and longer? What applies to Australia applies to most other countries too. The GFC has had ripple effects everywhere. How can any one secure a job, 'any type of job' if they are considered over qualified with higher education studies, that have no nexus to to the work place?

Then trying to find a transparent or honest agent-recruiter in China is near impossible. That has been my experience thus far. If a Chinese recruiter has told you to get 'any type of esl certificate', one can practically buy them on line these days! then continue looking for another job.

I am busting my skull trying to secure a teaching job in China, all I have met is resistance from unscrupulous agents or recruiters that should be selling real estate, or auto-mobiles, meaning, all three are equally crooked.

I rarely post on this forum, this has been the best time to post my frustrations with the whole 'ESL' industry. After 18 months undertaking a Grad Dip in TESOL, one would think I would be remunerated according to my formal teacher status. In China they think all teaching qualifications are the same! I suggest you buy your certificate, don't get in to debt like I did and undertook a teaching diploma. For the inept recruiters reading this, ESL is a subject method of teaching, and it is a subject of learning. If it is neither according to you, then what the hell is it, a gift card? DUH!

[Jmbf]

Elegantstatue - if you are having no luck in China you should switch your focus to Hong Kong. With your TESOL diploma you should be able to secure work fairly easily in the HKD 20 - 25K range. After a year or so of experience that should increase and you can always keep an eye open for better work opportunities.

[mattyko40]

I would tefol- because you don't want to on your tefol for your jov. Is it easier getting a job in HK? I thought China was easiest.

[jimpellow]

To the OP. So you are a non-native speaker. Would it be fair to assume that you do not hold citizenship from a country like the US, Australia, Canada, etc?

If so, the always omniscient recruiters should also have told you that the z-visa now requires you to be from a country on the "list". You may find local exceptions and illegal opportunities still, but I fear that you will go forward with the TEFL only to get another pie in the face.

The Australian responder would be wise to focus outside of China like the suggestion for HK. There are though a couple recruiters out there that focus on placing well credentialed candidates with the few employers in China who actually give a damn about such things. If that fails maybe do the Middle East. Employers adore the advanced qualifications and pay well for those of have obtained them. As I joked before on this board, they would prefer to have a PHD in linguistics teach an advanced business course than Bill Gates or Carlos Slim. You can always head over to Bahrain if you get nostalgic about dining on some Chinese cuisine. Anyways, good luck if you are set on China, not easy proving your value beyond being the standard white face who is not a borderline paranoid schizophrenic.

[Jmbf]

[hdeth]

[jimpellow]

[PYT]