Job Discussion Forums

[kingmalka]

To elaborate a little more, would there be any opportunities for a 19-year-old with iT experience and a passion to teach to find work in China? I'm looking for a summer to summer "life experience" in a new country and culture; in essence, just something I'd really like to do before returning to school for another 4+ years.

Any personal experiencies and/or advice would be much appreciated!

- David

P.S. I have about $6,000 USD to invest in this adventure ... perhaps a little something to help get situated while looking for work? Could I get by on this?

[eslstudies]

You might try a recruiter who takes on any native speaker, according to his website:
http://www.bucklandgroup.org/sub/job.htm
Steppenwolf, who posts here, swears by him.

However, before getting too excited, read:
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/china-info/index.pl?noframes;read=1190

Who ever you deal with, don't pay them money, and don't mention your bankroll!

[jeffinflorida]

I worked with a 19 year old from South Africa. He worked in an english mill and was hired because he spoke english and was cute...

So yes you can get work. You might want to print up a degree from a 2 year school in case you need it...

[kingmalka]

[DistantRelative]

Don't want to turn this into a Buckland thread, but seeing as how they have already been mentioned, I feel obliged to comment. You'll see I posted in the thread eslstudies links to. The one bashing Buckland. I don't agree with Steppe on much. but as it pertains to Buckland, I happen to. I won't repeat myself here, but you can read my comments in the thread. Hope they help!

Zhuhao,

Shawn

[latefordinner]

<caveat! This is being posted after my third beverage of the evening and quite probably, no certainly doesn't read as it should. This is in no way intended as an affront to the OP, but rather as a comment on the prospects awaiting the unprepared. OP, I've met a few young people who've come and done tolerably well here, good luck to you, and please don't take this one personally. This isn't about you>

You're in luck, kid. My wife and I are looking for someone to look after our daughter and clean our apartment while we're out earning a real living. Housekeeping duties will include cleaning the bathroom as required (usually twice a week, more if I've been drinking), taking out the trash, fetching groceries, washing and drying dishes (twice a day) and cooking one meal a day. Educational duties will include feeding and burping our daughter, playing with her, toilet training her and cleaning up after her when feeding and/or toilet training encounters setbacks. Also similarly caring for as many of our neighbors' and friends' children as we can find who are willing to pay us for your services.
Remuneration will be at the rate of 10 yuan per hour, based on a 20 hour work week. Office hours and overtime will be considered voluntary, as in nobody asked you if you wanted to do it. Benefits will include a place to sleep in our daughter's bedroom (as soon as you clean the floor), opportunity to go to the corner store and buy more beer for me, freedom to watch the TV when my wife isn't home, and freedom to use the computer when I'm not home. Accidentally DL a virus and it'll be the last mistake you ever make. I know it sounds like a lot of responsibility, but there's something in your OP that tells me you're ready for it. Don't bother sending a resume, just a photo will do. Clothes would be nice.

[Borderline]

Do what? Knock it on the head! OP, do not listen to the naysayers. Most of them are quite obviously well and truly past their teacher sell-by date. Do not permit them to put the burden of their unexamined emotional TEFL baggage onto your shoulders, and do not take their overly negative reaction personally; they are just outwardly grumpy because you inadvertently reminded them that they are no longer 19, 19, ne-ne-ne-19, 19, ne-ne, Saigon, Saigon, ne-ne-ne, Beijing. The average age of the EFL teacher in Beijing was 19, 19, ne-ne-ne 19.

Yes! To elaborate a little more, there would be opportunities abound for a 19-year-old in China, and especially for one with iT experience and a passion to teach (Word and a desire are so important these days, as the local vicar reminded me only yesterday). Speaking both as a non-Latvian future corporate training centre level Manager of the (who shall remain nameless) undisputed industry leaders of the TEFL scene in China and as someone who is able to 'hack it' ��� with the 'big boys' ���, I for one can say that a passion for what one does is of the utmost importance and goes a long way towards impressing potential employers, that is, opportunity givers. For it is not really so much a question of what job you do, as more how you do it, (and that point should be remembered when examining your wages at the end of each month). You may have to initially settle for a prestigious Chinese university gig, or, alternatively, an entry-level FT position with a major player in the corporate training TEFL market, but as long as you hold your head up high and keep plugging away at that dream you will eventually emerge as the sure fire 20-year old winner. Remember! What we do in life echoes in eternity. Your time in China will be sure to generate some fireside, Brothers Grimm-like stories for the grandchildren.

Yes! Given your qualifications, experience, and age, my advice would be to not dilly-dally and to go to China forthwith. Get your skates on, mate, as you are not the only one looking for a summer to summer life experience in a new country and culture! There have only been 20-odd thousand advertisements for FTs in China posted on various ESL job forums today and so the market is obviously cooling. Get in quick while you still have the chance! 'Too late, too late!' will be the cry, when the man with bargains passes by.

[eslstudies]

[SheZook]

[lychee]

OP listen to the pig, he walks on 2 legs.

[Peter_Chestnut]

Hey, much like you I will be moving to China at the tender age of 19. I will have an Oxford cert, a lot of volunteer teaching hours, in fact 9 months of full time work at schools and day cares. Which I hope with these things will gain me a better chance of gaining a job in the ESLteacher world. Also English is my Native tounge. Also I done male modeling which I have read will gain you better chance of landing a teaching gig.

[Shan-Shan]

[vikuk]

What a brilliant last post - but I'm afraid you're not warning the "beautifull people" recruits about the dangers that may lie ahead in English corners and promo drives at KFC and the likes - the new trend of making them wear animal costumes that matches the brand of fast food that they support through their teaching activities. These costumes do nothing for ones figure - and because of their bulk, have been known to break a fingernail or two!!!!!!.

[Peter_Chestnut]

Wow Shan-Shan you pretty much just wrote down my last job placement ! ahha

[PAzine]