Job Discussion Forums

[chinamike]

Hey Guys,

I'm a "volunteer teacher" or dancing monkey as I prefer to call it, with the charity organisation Project Trust a UK Based Charity which takes school leavers, charges them a lot of money and pays them peanuts while expecting the same standard of teaching as most TESOL/Bachelor Degree teachers. On their China "Projects" anyway.

I'm actually interested in staying in China, preferably Dongying, Shandong ,for another six months or so, doing some real work and not actually playing the dancing monkey role anymore. I'm 19 at the moment, I have a pretty decent CV and experience with all ages, I broke contract a couple of times to actually earn a decent wage and get some experience, at all types of institutions from Kindergarten to Chengdu University of Science and Technology.

However my combined residency permit/visa runs out at the end of August, and while I'm applying for a lot of jobs at the moment I'm hearing rumours floating around the expat community that you now require a Bachelors Degree to re-obtain a foreign experts certificate, anyone able to verify?

Thanks,

Mike

[Roger]

Based on your not-too-convincing self-presentation I wonder what kind of "decent CV" you have - at age 19!

[waxwing]

I've never really understood this - I'm sure I read, many moons ago, that you have to have a Masters Deg. to get foreign expert status? It doesn't seem to be true, but buggered if I know what the real rules are.

[chinamike]

I have to say having read the forums a few times in the past I've noticed one of the favourite passtimes of some people is flaming people who post asking for advice. What I said Roger was that I had a "pretty decent CV." Please take note of the word "pretty" which has the connotation of saying for my age and situation, i.e. I'm 19 with no TESOL qualification or degree and I have 12 months teaching experience at a relatively broad age range and ability level, that I have a relatively good CV for my circumstances.

I'm not claiming to be an excellent teacher, hell not even a good one. In my opinion sending me to teach at a college in China at 18 straight out of college myself, where I am responsible for the education of people who are paying students, and allowing me to have free reign over their syllabus was utterly irresponsible of my UK based organisation and the school which employed me. At the time it was advertised as the "experience of a lifetime" and not knowing what the hell I was doing I thought it might be a good idea.

I know that I didn't and probably don't still have enough life experience to truly teach, but hell I enjoy trying, some of the teachers which I remember most fondly were the ones who actually gave me an idea about the outside world and pushed me to get out there and experience it, rather than growing up in the area I was born in, having children, working in a dead end job until I retire and live in blissful ignorance of everything that's going on around me like a large amount of small town teenagers do in the UK.

For a 19 year old, I think that what I've done and the ways in which I've grown, matured and the new situations I've experienced this past year aren't that bad, I certainly feel like I have a better view of the way the world works than I did a year ago. I feel that now, (now meaning at this point in time, after I've had a small amount of experience) I could possibly make some contribution towards the education of others, even if all that contribution involves is a friendly face which the students feel comfortable talking too.

If I'm wrong then I *beep*ed up good and proper, but you know what, like you said I'm 19 and I have very little experience so I'm allowed to *beep* up a little bit.

Thanks for the good and stimulating advice, now let me ask you a question - What was the point in even posting if you weren't interested in helping me and just wanted to bait me, I bit the bait certainly but I'd really like to know what your train of thought was when you posted your reply Roger, why did you even bother wasting your time posting an irrelevant comment which was completely off topic? I'm honestly interested.

Mike

Anyway, sorry about that little rant, back on topic, anyone have an answer for my question please?

EDIT: Sorry for swearing in the original, it's late here and I'm not in a great mood due to visa issues, edited to remove.

[hollie628]

I don't have an answer for you except to keep an eye out for job listings looking for teachers with the least requirements. My life experience has proved that my job experience worked in my favor when a missing degree didn't.

It's against my better judgement, but I have heard people made fake degrees or TOESL certificates to help them get jobs. I don't know the consequences and I cannot recommend that you do it, but truthfully, many things go unnoticed if no red flad is raised. I think it is possible for a 19 y/o to get a TOESL cert, but not a degree.

The best advice is to just apply. Sell yourself as the teacher they dream of having. If you can accomplish the task they will probably do what they can to hire you on. Downplay your age and inexperience, exagerrate your experience and offer to demo a class for them to see your abilities - where you shine the most just to get a foot in the door.

And yes you are right - there are many on the forums that just like to rip people to shreds instead of offer a helping hand. My negative feedback is limited to a company that I worked for whom you should prbably avoid. You'll see it if you remember my name. And you soudn like you ahve a good head on your shoulders, Hoorah for you to leave a dead end road of boredom!! You are living what I only dreamed of at your age!

Whatever you do - make sure you always have the appropriate documents - visa, residence permit, contract, letters of acceptance or release (if you leave), and foreign expert certificate, if it applies. GET THEM< KEEP THEM.
Best of luck!

[tw]

[Roger]

There always are takers that do not really insist you have above-college education.
Since you have lived in Dongying for a term you might be somewhat acquainted with the lifestyles in the less developed parts of China; there certainly are more charming parts in this country than the oilfields of DOngying.
I am not a recruiter but my advice to you would be to consider going through BUckland in Yangshuo (you must do a Google search to hit upon their newest name which has "elite" in it and no mention of 'Buckland" any more).
THey usually place you in more rural locales, many of which are noted for their hospitality (as compared to the unfriendliness of natives and migrants in big urban sprawls).
BUckland will charge you zero, and they will make sure your employer pays his dues to you; if anything goes wrong they will look after you at their expense.
If you can't find BUckland then try "Omeida". That's his brother's outfit.

[Alex_P]

Dear Mike,

Yes, I concur with you. I regret that you were flamed on this board in such an inappropriate, rude and incorrect manner. I truly do. It happens all to often and decidedly needs to be remedied. No one should ever have to suffer the rudeness of a putdown when asking a simple question. As a professional educator, I never demean my students, not even when the question is absurd. So I can only tell you that I regret personally the attitude some on this Board take.

Now to answer your question, the regulations that everyone is telling you about are NOT being applied uniformly throughout the country -- far from it. I am aware of one very good private school in Hangzhou (I don't mean a language mill) that may wish to consider you. I could also you put you in touch with various good agencies that you may wish to contact if you were to send me your e-mail privately.

As for someone's section regarding Bucklands, I would refer you to the postings on www.englishschoolwatch.org and www.eslteachersboard.com concerning this agency before proceeding. You would be well advised to read these postings. They tend to be legion in number.

Whatever assistance I may be able to politely and kindly render, please let me know.

And additionally -- I noticed that you were "putting yourself down" a bit in your last posting -- don't do it -- not for ANYONE on this board. You need not humble yourself for anyone here. We are all foreigners in China and some have stellar backgrounds and accomplishments and most do not. It is not what you are but what you have made yourself. And I laud your desire to stay in China -- it is a great country and you will find the Chinese more polite than 60% of those you will come across here. They are simply a great people.

I'm here if I can assist you.