Job Discussion Forums

[ClarkP]

Hey everybody,

I'm 24 year old resident of the United States considering teaching abroad. I've tutored French and Latin (yes, I said Latin) throughout college and I've substitute taught in a private high school in the States. I do not have a certification but am considering taking a CELTA class.

I was wondering if I could land a university job or something equivelant (i.e. around 15 contact hrs) in China? What are the general requirements to teach a conversational English class? Basically, I would like to avoid teaching anyone under high school age. Considering my qualifications is this goal feasible?

I am fairly frugal. I don't need to save up money. Obviously I would like to be able to go out occasionally and travel every once in awhile. Would a uni job be enough to support me and the occasional regional travels?

Finally, when are the best times to look for such jobs in China?

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Minhang Oz]

Assuming you've got a degree of some kind, finding work is not a problem Yes, a CELTA would be a help in finding a job, but more importantly, in doing it properly. Unis generally don't pay great salaries, but the hours are short. If you are indeed frugal, 4000 a month should see you meet your goals. www.chinatefl.com has lots of such places. You can always do overtime or extra jobs if you wish. Now is a good time to start looking and making first contacts. Even though most places wouldn't be actively recruiting yet, the whole process of finding a job you're happy with, then the visa application etc., is slow. Requirements? Native speaker. Unfortunately your experience of Latin tutoring won't help you with a class of 50 or so Chinese who insist [correctly in most cases] that "my English is very poor". It could be a definite bonus if teaching reading and writing though, as you'd have a very strong grasp of grammatical structure, which many so-called English teachers lack.

[Peter]

I agree that a Uni job is a good intro for teaching in China; you live on the job, food in the cafetaria,etc,etc.
BUT........you are not part of a real teaching team, as you do not count in the eyes of the Chinese profs.
You are hired as the law requires it, not for your ability.
You will be told to do what you like as it does not matter what you do to the paper structure of the department.

Your students will have other ideas, they want better written and spoken English.

My first job was in Shenzhen University,a third rate academic joint,which accepted as one of the foreign staff an American nurse,and me, a primary school teacher with a BA.They made me associate prof!

So going for a Uni job; lower your expectations and use it what it is for making contacts, then go freelance and pull 10.000 a month

If there is some effort to coordinate then confusion will still be a factor of frustration in the better halls of academe

[Roger]

All the advice that has come your way was to the point.

There is one answer you are still looking for - the best time is when a term begins. You are being late now by one month and a few days. Some schools or unis are still looking to hire, but by the time you are firmly engaged it might be Christmas if you apply now!

In spring, more exactly: end of February, begins the second semester.