Job Discussion Forums

[joesgonnago]

I am seeking advice on securing a TEFL position in China. I live in NYC and plan to attend a certification course. I want to TEFL in order to experience another culture, learn/teach a new language, and travel in Asia. My intentions are to teach for 1-2 years (though I'd make a career out of it) and then go into business. (here, there- the wind will say)

After browsing through Dave's, I've learned a great deal and now I have my own questions. Please reply with any input or advice.

#1.Aside from a resume (CV), my transcripts and diploma, reference letters, passport w/visa, and health check-up - what do I need?

#2. I was in the Army. I was stationed stateside and made eye glasses. Will this hurt or help me?

#3. I read that the SE of China is very nice weather wise and good for traveling to other spots. I believe I have narrowed it down to Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Shanghai. Maybe Jiangxi or Anhui. Any input?

Also, it was advised to stay out of the big cities and stay about a 1-2 hour bus ride from one. Reasons included were pollution and quality of life. Is this true? Can anyone tell me for sure to avoid a certain area? Try to get a location?

4#. How much money should I bring? Have in a account, assuming I have no bills? I have seen that I should have a Int. banking card that has Cirrius or something?

5#. I am very athletic and have coached both basketball and baseball. Will playing sports be something schools will consider a positive? Should I put it on my resume or bring it up in interviews? I plan to secure employment prior to leaving.

6#. Can anyone provide me with a sample resume?

7#. What do teachers wear? Should I bring my suits or just a bunch of collared shirts?

8#. Aside from deodrant, a can opener, screw driver, multi-tool, pictures, and books; what should I bring that I can't get?


NOTE: ANYONE HOOKING ME UP A JOB, SCHOOL, GOOD RECRUITER - OR GOOD ADVICE WILL BE REWARDED!! I BUY MY FRIENDS

(a box of what you want/need mailed to you -we can figure out)

9#. Can I bring computer CD's/memory sticks that have pics, video, and documents? What's the computer compatibilty?

10#. Does anyone have any suggestions on what items to bring as small gifts to my students? Fellow teachers? Bosses or administrators?

11#. I wear size 12 shoes (US). Can I find them in China?

12#. Please, I mean to offend. What's the deal with the women? I've heard it all - but I need the reality. Do they solicite your attention? Do they steer clear of FT's?
disclaimer....I am have never dated outside my race or complextion. I am opened minded and am not looking for hookers.

13#. What's the political climate like? Are there police about? Soldiers?

14#. I would suppose it will vary on my specific situation, but will I be able to tutor on the side? Could I feasibly work in voice overs (someone mentioned that's possible) or print work?


Hook a brother up!

Joe
[email protected]

[jester]

I just finished a reply on the other forum and now you go and change the questions

[7969]

[jeffinflorida]

For a guy from Avenue X and in the Army you are pretty helpless, sheesh...Did you never go past Fort Hamilton or something?

I can answer a few of your questions...

A resume. You will need one. Easy to make. If you have Microsoft Office there may be a resume maker option in the forms section. Make a business functional resume - nothing fancy. Do a Google search on "Resume making" or something close to see some samples resumes. Or go to a local job service / job core office and ask for help. Lots of free services available to you to help you make a resume.

Being in the Army won't hurt you in working in China. Won't help you much either - unless you want to sell secrets to the Chinese Army - they may pay you well for the secrets of making bifocals...

Weather wise, it's what you like cold, warm, hot, muggy... pick an area and research it.

Your ATM card may work in China - mine does and I can get $300 (U.S.) out of my Florida account a day - in Chinese money of course. Check with your bank and get an ATM card with a VISA logo on it an enroll in Internet banking so you can check your balance and transfer funds from wherever you wind up. Bring $500 - $1000 US Cash with you for start-up expenses.

Teaching attire varies but note that in the hotter regions the classrooms are 80 plus degrees and 100% humidity so plan to shower and change your clothes 3-4-5 times a day. Most schools have no A/C. In the warmer times I wear t-shirts and nice shirts. In cooler times I wear long sleeved shirts and jeans or sometimes dress pants. The same goes for winter - there is no heat so you will wear a winter jacket while teaching.

Shoes...HAHA. I have size 13 or 13Wide. It took me a long time to find shoes for my feet in China - or Hong Kong. I work in an area where they make lots of shoes and had to find through local contacts where to get my size - it's not easy so bring your own and enough to last you. Really, you will regret it when you need shoes, boots, sneakers or slippers and you didn't bring them. Socks also.

Sports are a definite plus as there are schools looking for coaches for various sports. Soccer (football) is pretty big as is basketball. Also ping-pong. They even have bowling alleys so bring your Brunswick Strike King 300 if you like to bowl... Swimming too.

Computers in China pretty much suck. Most computers have a switch on the power supply to change them from USA voltage to China voltage so consider bringing your own. Just the CPU desktop unit. You can pickup monitors in China for a decent price so don't lug one of them. But consider buying a $300- $400 P4 3 CPU desktop with you. If you are a computer person you will be very happy you did. Most schools give you a computer that you would not like and will be old and make you very unhappy. Bring your own really. Flash drives will work just fine as well as most softwhere.


If you like games buy a PS2 here or bring one with you - you can get a Mod Chip but in cheaply so you can play the Chinese bootleg games.

China has many pretty girls. If you like girls you can find a nice pretty girlfriend if that�s what you want. Date outside your race? What's that mean? Yeshiva girls only?

Not looking for hookers? And why may I ask not??? Bring" Size Appropriate" condoms Holmes... the Chinese condoms are like those things you put on your little finger when doing filing in the office...

Gifts for students? And bosses? Pack a bunch of Hershey miniatures!

You will find more cops in Times Square! (thanks Rudy...)
No real presence of overt military in China, what do you think it's the Gaza Strip? But don't go yelling "Democracy Now!" In Tiananmen Square...

Plenty of work for qualified teachers. You have a college degree?

Ask away and I can answer time permitting...

Keep the Faith Brother...

[Voldermort]

I wouldn't advise spending so much on a computer then paying an extra amount for shipping it over. I am a computer person, when I first thought of coming to China I had pretty much the same questions. I found it a whole lot easier to pull out the most important parts of my comp, namely the CPU's and the HD's. You can build a semi-decent computer here for as little as 2000 RMB.

If you are a computer person and are wondering exactly how much, send me a list of the parts you would want to buy here and I will get you an estimate.

I wouldn't worry to much about your attire either. Most people only see us for the white face not for the 3000 dollar suit we are wearing. I usually wear a pair of very thin trousers and a soft collared shirt. You can buy shirts and trousers here very cheap, so don't bring along your whole closet. This would also allow you to buy more weather appropriate clothes.

I second the jeff regarding shoes. I'm size 12 Wide (UK size) and it is almost impossible to find shoes that come close to fitting. Be prepared to spend a week of going from one shop to another when the time comes to replacing your loafers. Buy them at home and bring them with you.

Some other things you may like to bring along ar photo albums. I wish I did. Students will often like to look at real life photos of your home town. I met a Canadian once who had bought a box of collar pins (maybe 10000 of them) with a Canadian flag on them. They were a big hit with almost everybody. Spray on deo is hard to find here so you may want to bring along a years supply, and hide them from any foreign friends you make. The larger cities may be ok, but I have often had problems finding simple medicines, Anadin (strong) for my migrains, sleeping pills for my insomnia. If you are prone to sunburn, bring your own large bottle of sunblock, here you can find but only the small bottle and it's rather expensive.

Finding a young girl should be relativly easy, though if you are thinking about a more mature woman.... In China, in most cases, when a couple have problems divirce is not an option. People will usually stay together regardless of how they feel, also most younger people are pressured into finding a partner before they are 25. I know many girls who have had to go through an arranged marriage simply because they couldn't find the love they were looking for.

[acwilliams]

Staying out of the big cities: pollution can be a problem (there's a thread on less polluted cities). Crowded pavements and dangerous traffic are my pet peeves about Shanghai. Commuting from a suburb or satellite town is also annoying, though. Small towns in China can be very boring indeed. On the other hand, the cities with all the tourist sights aren't always the nicest places to live in.

How much money to bring: $US 300 for one month if you're outside a large city and quite good with money; double that or more if you're a big spender and/or in a place with lots of expensive things to do.

Political climate: don't initiate political discussions about China with students or Chinese colleagues until you know them extremely well. If politics does come up in class etc, no harm in sharing opinions (if they're willing to do so it shows that they feel safe with you and with each other), but no patronising lectures or harangues from you ('In the US we believe that...'). Remember that Taiwan is a province of China - no quibbling. After you've been here a while you'll develop a sixth sense about what is OK to discuss, when, and who with. Most Chinese people are completely uninterested in politics anyway.

[gengrant]

I sent ya a PM...

[joesgonnago]

you guys are the ((( (( (bomb) )) )))!!! All of your input has really helped make some decisions easy, including the whole teaching english around the world thing.

And the humor! (that is what it is, right?)

[Voldermort]

good good... but where is our free food?

I only have 2 required items:
1. Cheese cake mix
2. A potato masher

[joesgonnago]

THINK I'M BLUFFING?




GIVE ME AN ADDRESS.

[jeffinflorida]

[joesgonnago]

Jeff,

Sorry bud, I hate to be the one to tell you. Katz deli is closed. They had lease issues and the owner shut the doors one day. Some say it was because of the employees union, I don't know.

On top of that, CBGB's will be closing in about 9 months. Their lease expired and there was a rather large public outcry. Needless to say, money won out and they were given 12 months to move. The landlord? A homeless shelter/organization (sp?).

ONLY IN AMERICA..

p.s. NY still has hotdogs.

[jeffinflorida]

[joesgonnago]

I'm a 15 minute subway ride away. I haven't been there in at least 8 months because I saw in the paper it closed. AND YOU live how many 1,000's of miles a way and found out it wasn't?!?! SCARY. You got some drive!

btw- I will get there this weekend.

[jeffinflorida]