Job Discussion Forums

babaoreiley · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 39 Location: Chaska, MN

I am an interested newbie who is researching possible employment in the PRC. I have a TEFL certificate from Hamline University, a BA in History (graduated Magna *beep* Laude) from West Texas A&M University, possess a neutral accent (although I could teach both Texan and Minnesotan dialects Laughing

), and-as strange as it seems to say, although it appears to be a big issue-I am fair-skinned. Oh, and I am male (not sure if that makes a difference or not). This will be my first trip out into the "big old" world, and I am trying to determine the best place for my first job. So any info given would be greatly appreciated.

The posts I have read on this site lead me to the conclusion that most TEFL proffessionals in China have had an uneven experience. Of course, the good and the bad come with any job, no matter the location. But the divergence seems to be great in China, in particular. If you could indulge a newbie and answer a few top 5 list prompts, it could help me to determine-and others, as well-whether or not China is worth it in the long run.

-Top 5 Worst things about working-specifically about work-in the PRC
-Top 5 Best things about working in the PRC
-Top 5 Worst problems with living in the PRC
-Top 5 Best attributes of living in the PRC
-Top 5 Worst cities to live in
-Top 5 Best cities to live in

And, in summary, if you could state whether your China-experience has been positive or negative, in general, I would appreciate it (also include the length of time that you have been in-country).

Thanks in advance for your help!

hesterprynne · Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 386

I will work my way backwards. Can't advise you about cities since I have only lived in one- Zhuhai in Guangdong Province.
Best things about living here-1. less paperwork--- no credit check for apartments, no dealing with the DMV (in Texas you call it the Department of Public Safety)�2. cheap taxis and buses rather than paying for car insurance, trying not to get tickets, etc�..3.lots of cheap stuff- hospital visits, massages, haircuts, clothes (depending on your size and your luck), exotic fruit, seafood, the list goes on and on�4. tai chi and martial arts lessons, 5. people who bend over backwards to help you�
worst things about living here- 1. the spitting, 2. the nose-picking, 3. the staring, 4. the filth, 5. the concept of beauty as stick-thin�.
about work my job experiences in the U.S. would not be similar to yours, but I will say this- you get respect but you will seldom get honesty here
In general, coming here was the best decision I ever made. I have been here for 19 months. Some days I hate it. Some days I am overwhelmingly grateful.

Volodiya · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 3:08 am Post subject:

OP joined late April, this year. Has fired off posts asking for general info from a number of countries, in places as diverse as Japan and Poland; and, has received, to date, 228 replies from people like us. Has now posted what may be the most comprehensive demand for information I've ever seen on this forum.
___________________

Sir, you have presented yourself as an educated, sophisticated person, who has read our posts and, discovered that our experiences here are very different- from place to place, school to school, and person to person.

That being the case, why do you again pose these broad questions, knowing in advance that the answers will likely provide no new information and will be equally diverse?

Given, that we may choose to reply, or not, "Do you really think we have nothing better to do?"

babaoreiley · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 39 Location: Chaska, MN

I apologize if that is the way that this has come off. I am sure that you do have better things to do, and I in no way meant to imply that you didn't.

And yes, I have posted general questions about information from a variety of countries. My interests are far ranging, and I don't want to limit myself. I simply am trying to find the best situation possible for myself. This is just me trying to do my due diligence in obtaining information about various locales. At the same time, I know there are many people like myself searching for the same info and they may also benefit from the questions I ask and, even more so, from the answers you give. I am not demanding anything from anybody. People can choose to respond or not respond to my posts. Either way is okay with me.

If someone has the time and the inclination to reply, they are welcomed to do so. I appreciate all information given, but I most certainly am not demanding anything. I thought that this would be a fun way to respond to a query. This is not some malvolent scheme on my part to rob people of their freetime. It is a choice. And I am truly sorry if I have inconvenienced anyone.

Volodiya · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 4:02 am Post subject:

OK, OK, apologies accepted (truly, none was needed). Enough said.
_________________

Now, please reconsider. What do you still have left to ask, after reading all the posts dealing with those things you'd really like to ask?

I'm sure some of us will be ready to respond, as well as we are able, to any well-framed, specific, and suitably limited request for information.

hilary · Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 246 Location: Kunming

[quote="babaoreiley"]I have a TEFL certificate from Hamline University, a BA in History (graduated Magna *beep* Laude)

O tempora! O mores!

Mr Moderator, did they not teach you Latin at High School? FYI, if you EVER try to beep out my honours, be aware of my family motto:

Nemo me impune lacessit.

Volodiya · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 7:59 am Post subject:

Hilary, try recommending Dickens, A Christmas Carol, to someone on this forum.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Don't get excited folks. The *beep* function is obviously an automatic program.

Philip K. Dick was a science fiction writer.
Dick Cheney is the Vice-president of the USA.
Did you ever watch the Dick van Dyke show?

Talkdoc · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 696

Volodiya · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 9:21 am Post subject:

Doc, you old dog, how did you do that?

hilary · Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 246 Location: Kunming

*beep* me, that's disgusting. It should be the *beep* Van *beep* show. Or at least the *beep* Van Sappho show.

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

I agree. Beeping diick and not dyke seems unfair.

peggiescott · Joined: 20 Mar 2004 Posts: 162

babaoreiley,

It is my opinion that if you need to rely on others to spoon feed you information that already exists in several formats then China is not for you.

The personal support you appear to need will not be available to you here in the PRC.

Good luck on finding a position that suits you.

Peggie

babaoreiley · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 39 Location: Chaska, MN

I wasn't really looking for anyone to spoonfeed me anything. I just thought I might pick-up some interesting tips or hints about life and work in the PRC, and that something that had not already been written might jump out. The idea was that this might be a fun format to facilitate this, by giving people an opportunity to rank some of their experiences and beliefs about China. Apparently I was mistaken in that regard. The next time I post something on this forum I will be much more straightforward and concise, so my message will not be misinterpreted as being either "demanding" or "needy." I apologize if that is the way my original post has been seen to be, because both of those interpretations are quite far from the truth of the matter.

I would like to thank hesterprynne for the reply to my initial inquiry; it was enlightening and entertaining. And anyone else that may come along in the future and participate in the actual point of this thread, I would like to say thanks for the knowledge in advance.

For everyone else, try and lighten up. Remember this is just Dave's ESL Cafe. We're not trying to cure ebola. We're just trying to travel around the world and teach people English. Our jobs are supposed to be fun and informative, and this forum is supposed to be fun and informative. This is really the first negative feedback I have gotten from an original posting. Be grateful that life has led you in an interesting direction, and don't turn a simple thread on the web into something so serious. Just my two-cents, for what its worth.

Later

Volodiya · Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 3:24 am Post subject:

It's OK, son. It's all those other posters from other forums already having responded to you that gave me a pain when I saw it.

When you have a question that's based on your research and is concise enough, we'll be ready to answer it. It's not pleasant to hear, but people are busy, and you do have to have gumption to travel halfway around the world to live and work.

Everyone wishes you success- just demonstrate a little seriousness of purpose, and people will respond accordingly.