Job Discussion Forums

The Spoon God · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 3

Hi,

I'm going to ask some questions about working in China. They probably been asked before somewhere, but I've been finding it difficult to find useful information on the internet.

I have a BA and a Masters from one of the best British universites, and a few months ago, I finished a year teaching in Osaka on JET. I intend to start a PhD at the end of next year, and in the mean time I would like to teach English in Shanghai. Ideally, I would like to work in a university, teaching in a business or in a private school.

I have the following questions:

(1) When I was in Japan, most teachers were on schemes by big companies. I was on JET, working in a state school, but there were plenty of private schools that were like chains: NOVA, ECC, AEON. Is there anything like that in China? Or does one have to find and apply to individual private schools?

(2) I have a year's experience teaching in a school and some experience of teaching English in Japan and in conducting in philosophy at a university, but I have no formal qualifications in teaching, will this hinder me, or limit the kind of position available to me?

(3) I shall be in Shanghai for a couple weeks from next week? Is there anywhere I could do, apart from look at the ex-pat magazines, whilst I am there?

(4) I would ideally like to move there about Xmas/January time. Is that a realistic timeframe to be looking at? Or is this a bad time to be looking for work since it is outside the frame of the academic year?

(5) What kind of pay is realistic for the different kind of jobs? How good a life could you have on them?

I know it's been a bit of a mouthful, but I would be grateful for any information.

Thanks in advance!

Super Mario · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:27 am Post subject:

www.chinatefl.com has a reasonable listing of what's available in Shanghai.
Your qualifications will get you in, though it would appear that English was not your major.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Arriving in JANUARY might not be a good move since employers don't hire just days or weeks before a major one-month holiday season (spring festival from mid-Jan. through mid-February).

erinyes · Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 272 Location: GuangDong, GaoZhou

www.asiaxpat.com/ has jobs that are often for those who are highly qalified, and you can narrow the search within a city (at least mostly).

Keath · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:22 pm Post subject:

Sounds like you are well qualified to teach in Shanghai.. Just remember, Shanghai positions are generally coveted positions.. and compared with other places, you're likely going to have to calculate paying for your apartment in the salary they offer you.

Frankly, its hard to find / negotiate profitable employment in Shanghai..
Why not find a place nearby and travel to Shanghai on the weekends?

Keith
www.journeyeast.org

Super Mario · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:59 pm Post subject:

Look at this link.
http://www.chinatefl.com/shanghai/teach/shauc.htm

Ignore the bits about Madams under 50 and the distance to the bank!
If you signed with them, they'd probably put you up for free over the winter vacation.
PM me if you'd like to contact an FT currently there. I worked there up until mid last year. Its fine, though the hours are a bit long.

There are plenty of decent jobs in SH, but qualifications and OS experience certainly give one an edge.