Job Discussion Forums

[flied_lice]

Hi guys,

Firstly before i start, I just wanted to say thanks for all the regular posters here for all the helpful advice and insight into teaching into China. I’ve trawled through several different threads here to get a feel and understanding about teaching in China (and have read time and time again about the importance of a getting the correct Visa BEFORE you come). I know it can be frustrating and draining answering the same question several times (and get posters who seek help, post once or twice and never come back without saying thanks for all the help).

I’m trying not to ask the same questions as everybody else, but my situation is quite unique so i hope to get some advice.

Current situation:
~ 29 years old from Australia.
~ Completed Bachelor of Science about 4 years ago and currently finish a Business degree (Completed my final unit by June). I do not have an Degree majoring in English and i don’t have a Teaching degree.
~ I have worked full-time for approximately 1 year and a couple of months within banking as an analyst. Before that I was also working casually in retail for about 5 years (as well as a 3 month Internship stint in an accounting firm).
~ I don’t have a TEFL or CELTA (heard it's more important and Europe)
~ Currently have only about $AUD 3,500 savings as of today.
~ I have to state this.... I'm Asian (South-east Asian.. I cannot speak Chinese, but i want to learn.)
~ I read about a few schools that actually provide free Chinese classes as well, although it hasn't been mentioned very much here.

I've read about the different types of schools that's available for foreign English teachers:
~ Kindergartens (Apparently this pays quite well for some reason? I don't know how i feel about babysitting).
~ Public primary/secondary schools (Apparently 8.5 hours a day, but there's also more time for lesson-planning).
~ English Learning Centres (Apparently if i decide to work at EF or Wall Street English, these are franchises so it could be hit or miss in terms of whether the management-lead business is reliable or not. However given my Asian appearance, it may be quite hard for me to get a job here because the parents would be able to make demands if they're not happy with my ethnicity.)
~ Public universities (Apparently the hours are few, the pay isn't that great, but they do provide accomodation. However i'm not confident in teaching english to adults as they may require a more depth level of understanding.
~ International schools. (Cannot teach here, but also don't plan to)

I have recently resigned from my job because i've always wanted to go work overseas and do some travelling temporarily. It was either Canada or China and i've decided to go with the later. I don't plan to teach forever, but perhaps 1-2 years before i return back to Australia and If i do enjoy teaching, perhaps get a job back home. I had made up my mind about this about 2 months ago.. after i finish my exams in June, i hoped to work at least 5-6 months to save some money to start teaching in March. Then i realised that the teaching periods in China are different from where i am (We start in March, not September).

I am interested in teaching primary school kids at a public school. I wouldn’t mind teaching kids in a learning centre, but from my understanding is that it can be extremely difficult given my Asian appearance and the perceptions that the student’s parents have.

I have several questions... but at the moment i'll just start with:

1. Am i too late to enrol for the September teaching period, since i do not have a TEFL yet and i have not made any contact with a recruiter? Do people recruit in March as well ? Because i understand it's the second term and i don't really want to come halfway through the year if it's inconvenient for everyone.

2. Do i have enough savings to start there, before i get paid my first wages? I'm thinking of teaching in either Chengdu or Shanghai and I know both cities can be quite expensive and i've read how some places require a few months deposit in advance. I'm hoping i don't have to deal with this if the employers can provide my accomodation for me.

Sorry about the long post. Any advice would be great!

[The bear]

[rioux]