Job Discussion Forums

[smokingzen]

Wow, after spending a few hours reading through some of the threads here i am overwhelmed by the info that needs to be taken into account, so please forgive me if i ask some info that might be found elsewhere. To cut to the chase, i am about to set off to Asia to hopefully get my first teaching job. First of all i am going to Thailand, where i have travelled before, and where i was originally planning to get teaching work. Having read however of the low wages in Thailand and the general inability to save on the wages there i am now planning to spend only a month there watching the world cup and trying to organise a job in China. My list of questions then is;

1) Will it be any more difficult to arrange a job in China from Thailand than it would in the UK?

2) Can anyone tell me the rough price of flights from Bangkok to China, i.e., Beijing?

3) What official documentation do i need to take with me?
I.e., Actual degree certificate, references, ......

4) What areas of China would people recommend? I understand this will be partly subjective, yet i am sure there must be better parts than others.

5) Would any particular type of job be more suited to a noob?
I do not as yet have any TEFL qualifications. I was reading a post above slating a particular type of school (was it New Oriental?) where much of the teaching is based around games and songs etc., This might be perfect for someone like me to ease my way into the profession.

6) Can anyone recommend a school they are at or have been at, are they looking for someone?

7) I have a 4 year Masters degree with Hons from Edinburgh uni, would this get me more money than with a BA? I ask because a Scottish MA is slightly different to an English MA, it's not a graduate MA but an undergraduate MA.

Ok i think i have asked more than enough questions here, i will be most grateful to anyone who could answer any of these questions, in full or in part.

[kev7161]

I'll ask you a question before anyone starts answering: Is your degree or work experience in the education field? Is so, can you tell us a bit about that? Honestly, the answers to SOME of your questions will depend on that. If you've never stepped foot inside a classroom and/or don't have any experience whatsoever with children, then the type of job you may want will differ greatly than someone with an education background.

[grwit]

This may sound strange, but for inexperienced teachers it might be better looking for senior middle school, college or university students. My reason for this is you have less discipline management problems with the older students. The young ones (although fun) can be troublesome at times. Also trying to keep lessons interesting while maintaining your own interest in teaching may be a little more difficult with young students. ie there are only so many songs you can sing with the kids before you have to start repeating yourself. Do you want to be teaching colours, animals, food, and days of the week all year? With older students you can have more intelectual discussion topics which may make your and their lives more interesting.

Also how is your chinese? Do you know any of the language? this can be a great benefit when teaching younger students but life will be easier for you by teaching the older students whose english is already fairly good if you can't speak chinese.

Just some suggestions! Others may disagree!
Good luck!

[Super Mario]

I concur, but its a personal thing. Older students and adults are always my choice.
A small/medium city in an area where you can get out and about easily is a good choice. I did 2 years in Guilin, Guangxi, and found that excellent, some extreme weather aside.
As for your quals, what kev said. An English degree will be more highly regarded than anything other than a B.Ed. An MA should score you higher salary at a public university, which is what I'd be looking for in your shoes. Pay may still be quite low, but the work's straightforward, you'll get on campus housing, you'll have English speaking students and colleagues [within your department that is], and all in all, its a good introduction to life, and teaching, in China.
Timing is critical if looking for a public sector job. You'd really need to get it all arranged in the next 3-4 weeks, before the long summer break starts.
You can get good money in China [for China, that is], and because living costs are so low you can save a fair chunk. However, with no experience, you may have to settle for something lower down the pay scale.

[Sinobear]

AGAIN: The Chinese gov't is (in some regions/cities) cracking down on those who are not fully qualified (Degree/two years teaching experience/invited) to teach here. It's not as simple as flying in and announcing yourself.

China is not Thailand, there is no "savoir faire" c-u-m (Damnit! Latin is *beep*ed! For shame!) "lassiez faire" attitude as you might find elsewhere. If you're willing to work for no more than pocket money whilst entertaining your charges, then do come. If you're looking for a serious chance to hone your pedagogical skills and impart deep critical thinking skills whilst freeing the masses from their chains of mental oppression - hahahahahaha, good f'in luck!

Cheers!

[woza17]

I lived in Edinburgh for nearly 4 years not that it has much to do with your question. Ok this is advice I give to every new teacher coming to China bring 4 sets of monopoly. Once you get here you will understand. I would suggest that you read more about the teaching aspect about China, maybe hard for you to relate to but once you are here it will hit home and make sense.
I have no more advice to offer remember the monopoly. Do they have a Scottish monopoly sets?
The kids like football, but they are not that familiar with the Scottish football teams. But at the same time when I was in Wuhan a few years ago the touts were selling a pirated soccer computer game with a picture of Alastair Mc Coist on the cover which I thought was funny because I was married to his cousin.
Cheers

[smokingzen]

Thanks for all of your replies;

Kev7161 - No my degree is in Philosophy

grwit - As of yet i don't know any Chinese, but will be looking to learn - hopefully with free lessons from the school/Uni i work with. I can speak quite good Thai, but obviously not that much use in China.

sinobear - So you mean i won't just turn up at the airport and someone will offer me a great job? Doh. What regions are cracking down? Are you one of these bitter teachers in China that i have heard about?

Woza17 - Did you like Edinburgh? I love it, its a great city and i will be sad to leave. I am not however Scottish, but English, and also don't know or care about Scottish football. What's this monoply business all about? Can you not tell me now, i'm curious . I take it its good for teaching with or something? I think it might be a bit of a pain to carry 4 sets with me, maybe i could get some sent over later.

All in all, i think that university work probably sounds more my cup of tea, i plan to go on to do a PhD in the next couple of years and teach philosophy back in the UK, so it would be good experience for me. I take it having read other posts i would be looking at around 4,000 RMB per month with freebies?

What about regions in China, this is the thing i am really in the dark about now, such a big country with such variations. I think a small to large city would be best for me to start, so that i can acclimatise. Maybe in the south, as its easier and cheaper to fly to. Please give me your suggestions or just tell me of your experiences.