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Brianbro
Joined: 10 Feb 2017
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 6:54 pm Post subject: Is a TEFL certificate now required to be authenticated? |
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I've spoken to a couple of schools and recruiter recently, and they mentioned that due to a new policy on Apirl 1st, foreign teachers are now required to notarize and authenticate their TEFL certificates. I'm wondering if this is actually a national requirement, school specific, or recruiters not knowing what they're doing? Does anyone know if this is really the case? It would also be great if teachers who have secured their visas recently could tell me what they were required to do. Thanks.
Edit: The schools and recruiters I've heard this from were located in Sichuan and Guizhou provinces. I don't know if other provinces would have this or not, but it would also be great to know if that's the case. |
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OhBudPowellWhereArtThou
Joined: 02 Jun 2015
Posts: 1168
Location: Since 2003
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| Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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Which schools and which recruiters?
I haven't heard about authentication of TEFL certs, but I heard that one's certificate of live birth will require presentation and authentication in the near future. |
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The bear
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Posts: 483
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| Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:22 pm Post subject: Re: Is a TEFL certificate now required to be authenticated? |
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| Brianbro wrote: |
I've spoken to a couple of schools and recruiter recently, and they mentioned that due to a new policy on Apirl 1st, foreign teachers are now required to notarize and authenticate their TEFL certificates. I'm wondering if this is actually a national requirement, school specific, or recruiters not knowing what they're doing? Does anyone know if this is really the case? It would also be great if teachers who have secured their visas recently could tell me what they were required to do. Thanks.
Edit: The schools and recruiters I've heard this from were located in Sichuan and Guizhou provinces. I don't know if other provinces would have this or not, but it would also be great to know if that's the case. |
Haven't heard that before.
Only authentication of degree seems to the the norm. My money's on the agent/school wanting to cross their ts and dot their is to get everything ready for approval.
This new law is causing a lot of headaches for all involved. My own university FAO asked me about how to go about doing things so she can explain the process to new applicants. She's really struggling, people are interested apparently but drop out when they know what's involved. Can't say I blame them, the initial start up cost and lack of clarity would put me off. |
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Tazz
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 11:20 am Post subject: |
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Authenticate + notarise.....sign, stamp, chop-whatever. It all equals time and expenditure by the applicant.  For University or College position in the Gulf, paying $3-4 thou a month, prepared to jump through the hoops. For Korean University, paying $2-3 thousand a month, also will go through the hoops. For Chinese government University-paying $1 thou a month, no way.  |
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jimpellow
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 913
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, if you Google this issue and filter results for the last thirty days, you will find more than enough references from "valid" sources that this does appear to be a new requirement popping up in jurisdictions suddenly. Hence, I would think that it is coming down form Beijing. Seems it has to be a 120 hour TEFL too.
However, it is rather vague if you need the TEFL at all. Some sources seem to indicate that it is only necessary if you don't have two years experience. Others seem to indicate you need both. Haha
Tazz's comment about the payoff for new,as well as renewing, teachers is spot on. What he failed to point out is that in countries with cumbersome visa processes like SK and the Gulf States, the hoops are visible and lined up in a row. For China, new hoops are suddenly appearing, spinning around in circles etc... |
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nimadecaomei
Joined: 22 Sep 2016
Posts: 605
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| Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Wonder if certified teachers also need the TELF. |
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Tazz
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 3:44 am Post subject: |
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That would be....kind of ridiculous wouldn't it? A teacher with QTS being also expected to have a '6 hour teaching practice' CELTA! But, we are talking China so yeah, maybe true........  |
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jimpellow
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 913
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 4:31 am Post subject: |
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| Tazz wrote: |
| That would be....kind of ridiculous wouldn't it? A teacher with QTS being also expected to have a '6 hour teaching practice' CELTA! But, we are talking China so yeah, maybe true........ |
Yeah talking China, I know on another board a new teacher was rightfully griping as he did not have two years of experience but had recently required a CELTA. I believe it was Beijing that insisted he needed to do the TEFL in China.
This being new who knows. This was some half sane information about it.
"There is now a requirement for your degree certificate and background check (CRC) and, in some locations such as Beijing, your TEFL certificate (if applicable), to be legalized or authenticated. This involves the following steps (in the order listed below):
1. The degree (and TEFL certificate if required) have to be notarized by a notary public
2. The Foreign Affairs Department of your home country (FCO for the UK, Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland, Department of State in the USA etc.) must authenticate the documents (this verifies that the qualification is legitimate)
3. The Chinese Embassy then has to stamp the documents to give final legalization to them
This is a new regulation but will be in effect across China by April 2017 (it is already in operation in most provinces already). There may be some differences between locations (for example as to whether the TEFL certificate has to be legalized) but this will be confirmed by the school when you are issued with their specific visa guidelines when you sign the contract with them." |
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Tazz
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 4:44 am Post subject: |
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| Golly! Does this apply to 'new hires' or those who may be extending at the same institute? That will be a nice summer vacation activity for those on 6-7k a month. |
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The bear
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Posts: 483
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 6:37 am Post subject: |
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| Tazz wrote: |
| Golly! Does this apply to 'new hires' or those who may be extending at the same institute? That will be a nice summer vacation activity for those on 6-7k a month. |
What I've been saying for a while. As much as we disagree about the low paying jobs (I think there are many reasons to like them) I think it will cause problems down the line.
Let's say you've never come to China, want to try it, first time teaching...the upfront cost and convoluted red tape will put a lot of people off. It's not the language centres or private schools that will suffer, it's the low hour public schools that typically pay less. Private language centres are much more willing to bend rules, hire illegals/student visa teachers/business teacher visas. |
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nimadecaomei
Joined: 22 Sep 2016
Posts: 605
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 6:48 am Post subject: |
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As I am renewing for year 9 it should be interesting. My most recent teaching qual was granted in China. I can't imagine they want a police check from the US.
I will post what happens with my case, but as always it varies. |
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OhBudPowellWhereArtThou
Joined: 02 Jun 2015
Posts: 1168
Location: Since 2003
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 10:32 am Post subject: |
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| jimpellow wrote: |
Actually, if you Google this issue and filter results for the last thirty days, you will find more than enough references from "valid" sources that this does appear to be a new requirement popping up in jurisdictions suddenly. Hence, I would think that it is coming down form Beijing. Seems it has to be a 120 hour TEFL too.
However, it is rather vague if you need the TEFL at all. Some sources seem to indicate that it is only necessary if you don't have two years experience. Others seem to indicate you need both. Haha
Tazz's comment about the payoff for new,as well as renewing, teachers is spot on. What he failed to point out is that in countries with cumbersome visa processes like SK and the Gulf States, the hoops are visible and lined up in a row. For China, new hoops are suddenly appearing, spinning around in circles etc... |
MOD EDIT I did my search. Care to share your links to the legitimate sources of your information? I couldn't find any that led back to Chinese consulates or any legal sources regarding this policy. |
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jimpellow
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 913
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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Below is one example link that I would consider legitimate that you would likely do not. I never look at Chinese sites for current or accurate information. I do find the legal services sites like Law and Border are the most accurate. Nothing on the latest overall changes seems to have piqued their interests. Likely as this seems to focus solely on teaching. They make their money off of clients who have money. I am going with this new requirement is in fact real rather than fiction. There is more than enough popping up on it.
https://www.go-tefl.com/teflblog/authentication-of-tefl-certificates/
Interesting: "This process apparently applies for the renewal of permits expiring this year for those teachers already working as English teachers in China." |
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OhBudPowellWhereArtThou
Joined: 02 Jun 2015
Posts: 1168
Location: Since 2003
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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That's just a blog that just so happens to offer TEFL certs that are "accepted globally".
It states that ".. This process is [sic] apparently applies for the renewal of permits expiring this year for those teachers already working as English teachers in China...."
Apparently. The outfit doesn't know?
This isn't very convincing. The website offers no source for its information. |
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Brianbro
Joined: 10 Feb 2017
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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| OhBudPowellWhereArtThou wrote: |
Which schools and which recruiters?
I haven't heard about authentication of TEFL certs, but I heard that one's certificate of live birth will require presentation and authentication in the near future. |
I don't really want to name them, but they were private language schools. One of them was my former school that I worked for during the 2015-2016 school year. The other was from the same branch in another city. When I first worked with them, they managed to hire people straight out of college with the appropriate working permits; they didn't need two years of relatable post-graduation experience. They still don't as of this moment. I don't really want to rely on the answers they give me because how they went about some things in the past is questionable.
The recruiter on the other hand... I don't know much about it, but it's name is Upper Room International. I was told that I needed my degree, criminal background check, and a TEFL certificate notarized and authenticated. I also spoke with another school, and they said they don't anything about a TEFL certificate being authenticated.
Also... a birth certificate requiring authentication? I mean it wouldn't surprise me because China, but it does make me wonder what the TEFL industry will be like years down the line if China continues with the BS.
| OhBudPowellWhereArtThou wrote: |
That's just a blog that just so happens to offer TEFL certs that are "accepted globally".
It states that ".. This process is [sic] apparently applies for the renewal of permits expiring this year for those teachers already working as English teachers in China...."
Apparently. The outfit doesn't know?
This isn't very convincing. The website offers no source for its information. |
Yeah, that's one of the few and main websites that I found when searching for answers, and even then, I find it questionable since it's not sourced. It's also an online TEFL provider that's "internationally accredited," and I already know what that means... I've contacted them and asked them about it; I haven't heard back yet, but I'll update back here if I do.
EDIT: I received a response back from them. This is the message I was sent:
"I refer to your recent email.
With regards to authentication, please contact your nearest Chinese embassy or a Chinese employer or employment agent. At this time, there is very little information in this regard.
Keep well and have a pleasant day."
So... They have no clue.  |
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