Job Discussion Forums

[Neilhrd]

My present contract in Nanning, China runs out in July. I will probably be offered another contract. But by then I will have completed three years in China. I feel that I have achieved all that I can within the system here from a professional point of view and it is time to move on.

I have a BA in History, a TESOL Certificate and 3 years experience. I am not saying that I am perfect. But I am not a backpacker and I do take my job seriously and try to do my best for my students. I am 51, in good health, a non smoker and occasional drinker and originally from Britain. But I have no wish to return there. I am in the EFL profession for the long term.

I am flexible but I do have a preference for teaching teenagers and adults rather that primary school or kindergarten. I have considerable knowledge of business, finance, trade and news English as well as general textbook stuff and would welcome opportunities to work in these fields which are not available in this part of China.

I have learned from experience the importance of researching TEFL jobs thoroughly before commiting myself so I would appreciate any feedback about which other countries are, or are not, worth considering and why.

By the way I will not break my existing contract so please don't plead with me to start with your school tomorrow.

Thanks in advance.

[ghost]

There are many places in Asia where you might be able to find a contract.

The advantage of China is that the age factor is not an issue, because there are far more positions available than teachers willing to fill those posts (and that is why you see many teachers in China aged 55 and above which is rare in other Asian destinations, where younger teachers are the norm).

As you prefer teaching adolescents/adults, you could target Taiwan and certain places in Japan. In Taiwan, in any case, if you are 35 years or older you have little/no chance of gaining employment in the Buxibans (cram schools catering to primary aged kids mainly) where the employers prefer to employe younger teachers (and often preferably female).

If you speak/read basic Mandarin, there are also freelance positions to work as a proofreader in Taipei for English language publications and document centres. Do you speak/read Mandarin?

Ghost worked in High school and adult centres in Taiwan in 2005/2006, and can recommend some places. Feel free to pm for more details.

Ghost

[Glenski]

Business English schools might be interested in you.
In Japan look up Simul, Sumikin, Phoenix Associates and a few others mentioned in FAQ3 of the Japan forum sticky.