Job Discussion Forums

Sonnibarger · Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 320 Location: Wuhan

I have a question that has been covered in part, but I was hoping to get an answer to my specific situation.

I will be moving to China to beginning this September. I have graduated the Mental Health and addiction program at Canadore College. It was a 2 year program that focused on group interaction and communication. I have 300 hours Group Leader experience from a co-op placement at a detoxification center. I will also have a Tesl cert. from Oxford seminars by the end of June. Will this qualify me to work legally in China, if so what would be my best bet for Visa assuming that my employer will help me? I don�t plan to teach at a University level I just want my foot in the door.

I think its best if I try to stay away from the �high end esl markets� Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dalian, ect. I understand my chances of finding a decent job in those cities is slim with out experience. What about Tianjin? Would I have better luck there? I was offered a job in ChangChun at 5000 a month with apartment but + gas, internet and what ever else. 6000 for flight after 1 year, 22hours class a week. Should I jump on that while its here or wait it out?
Is ChangChun a good place to start, assuming I can handle the winters?

jg · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 12:44 am Post subject:

22 hours a week is a lot. Remember you are going to need to spend some time prepping for classes. 5000 also sounds a bit low, especially considering the hours.

Don't settle on a small town because you think you cannot cut it in the big markets. Shanghai is awash in teachers, its true, but there is such high turnover things always pop upand the outlying areas sometimes have a hard time getting teachers. Can you stomache playing with kids for a few hours a day? Kindys pay well and the students are great, when they aren't exhausted.

Wear a tie to the interview, shave your mug, be prepared to do a dynamite demo lesson, and you can compete anywhere.

Sonnibarger · Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 320 Location: Wuhan

Thanks for the info. Turns out the total hours are closer to 40 traveling across the city to several schools. Seems this is somewhat common place . Not worried though can�t be worse then the 48 hour weeks in a factory. hmmm anyone seen the inside of Chinese prison? That might top it.

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

Rule of thumb here - if you want to get on - is don't be timid!!!!!
There are a lot of employer sharks in the China EFL pool - and they sure do like to gobble up those FT's who aint too sure of themselves!!!!

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Sonnibarger · Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 320 Location: Wuhan

Thanks Tw good to know I can still find some good drinking buddies that can handle a case with me I believe the school was called Sino-Denver didn�t want to give it a bad rep without experiencing it first hand. Reliable secondhand is good enough for me to keep looking around though. I have read a bunch of your posts doing some research and you seem to be doing very well for yourself. Comforting knowing you started somewhere close to where I am. I would be lost in a lot of ways without Dave�s ESL. Thanks again, I will keep you posted with my progress

james s · Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 676 Location: Raincity

Sonnibarger · Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 320 Location: Wuhan

Thanks James. I think slaving in a factory to pay off student loans over that last year has diminished my self worth. I cant wait to tell my boss to shove it. Have a nice life you *beep*, I'm sick of being a number.

james s · Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 676 Location: Raincity