Job Discussion Forums

[Agency]

I plan on going back to China this fall and I would like to work around Shenzen or the surrounding area. I have never taught before, so I would prefer a stable atmosphere -though that seems rather unlikely from some posts around here. I don't plan on doing a lot of travelling since I've already been to HK, the Wall, Minnie Mao's/Yangshou, etc.

Can anyone recommend a good school?

How possible is it to get a university spot with a B.A. degree?

Has anyone taught in Macau? How far does the Northwest Territory extend to...not that it matters.

[ESL Guru]

Now here is some good advice -

First - change your handle! "Agency" is a really dirty word in here as anyone who has ever dealt with one will attest!

Second - Shenzhen Polytechnic University is excellent with a great FAO and good pay for a Uni.

Third - Get a real life and forget about teaching in China.

[Roger]

THere are two tertiary institutions in Shenzhen - SZ University, a lacklustre place but with a beautiful campus.
Polytechnic is in another nice environment out of town. Their adverts describe it appealingly, and the expat salary packages look attractive to me. I am only afraid of it being another public school.

As for Macau: There is no job market. I once garnered a job offer, but it was only a part-time position with no benefits other than hourly wages. Besides, I do not wish to work in Macau illegally. An interesting alternative would be Zhuhai. There are a few reputable and well-equipped training centres. Besides, Zhongshan University (aka Dr Sun Yatsen Uni) runs a branch there. I like Zhuhai rather well - it is a lot more spacious than Shenzhen, and it is cleaner too.

I do not know what you mean by "NOrthwest Territory". What is that?

[ESL Guru]

The only major drawback to Shenzhen Polytechnic is that is where the American teacher got SARS and died.

But, they are right up front in telling you this. I think that speaks volumes about the place and the people.

They have tried to recruit me twice and both times I went to work elsewhere and lived to regret it.

Now they are recruiting me again but my wife does not want to go to that province so we will probably wind up at Guanxi University which is also another good public uni.

[Agency]

lol, thanks ESL Guru. True....if I had a life, I would be in grad school.
Zhuhai does sound interesting. So, what kind of requirements are they asking at universities? I'm assuming an M.A. I Hope not, though, for my sake =)

Isn't Guanxi in Guilin? Our group stayed at the Normal Uni for a few days and that was another option I was thinking about.

For some reason I was thinking the New Territories=Northwest Territories, lol.

[Minhang Oz]

Other way round Agency - Guilin's a city, Guangxi's a province, or correctly, an Autonomous Region- before a pedant gets me. Guangxi Normal is centred in Nanning, the capital, and has a campus in Guilin. Lovely part of China, low cost of living, but low salaries too.

[ESL Guru]

Guanxi University in Nanning pays well or I would not have any interest in going there and I have a meeting set for June 28.

I visit a campus, talk to students, current Chinese English teachers and the FAO Director before making a decision.

[noodles]

Well my school in is a pretty good one. It claims to be in Shenzhen although is actualy outside the special zone in an area called Baoan but it is in nice surroundings. They are looking to recruit new teachers for next term. PM if you want to know anything.