Job Discussion Forums

OutnAbout · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 5

Greetings,

I am planning on teaching English in China, and after much research have decided I would like to teach in Suzhou. I've been in touch with a few ESL'ers in Suzhou and was hoping to broaden that base here.

On that note, can anyone recommend a reputable school in Suzhou that may have openings for this coming September? I'd preferably like to be centrally located and not in SIP or anywhere that would require great travel time/distance to Suzhou proper.

A little about me: I'm Canadian, living in Toronto. University graduate and just completed Oxford Seminars TESOL (crash course). I've been in the corporate 'rat race' in TO for a number of years and looking for a change of pace and possibly a change in career.

Appreciate your time and suggestions. Cheers!

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

Dear OP,

Have you researched on Suzhou on this site? I am sure that you will find a lot of information in various threads for search. It took a few times to master the search engine but it does the job, albeit not perfectly...

Also, what other sites have you used to research future jobs here?

You may also wish to read the thread "Calling on Seasoned China Hands" which can be found on page 1, right down there from your thread, and which may help you to formulate the kinds of questions that will generate quick answers for you.

All the best,

HFG

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

Look in your PM box.

OutnAbout · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 5

eslstudies: that is of great assistance. Thanks!

HFG: Thanks for pointing me to the post you mention. I can certainly understand the trepidation to divulge info of this nature to a newby whose intentions and likelihood to reciprocate are unknown. Let alone the whole competition factor.

To answer your question, I have researched Suzhou on Dave's and it is (in no small part) because of this that my finger landed on Suzhou. Other sites have included chinatefl.com, teachcn.com and the like. I have found Dave's to be the most useful however as the connection to real experiences has proved invaluable.

This along with the myriad of blogs have aided me greatly. I have established some solid leads already and I have faith that something will pan out very shortly.

This experience makes me wonder what it was like to find overseas employment in this field prior to forums and internet search. Must have been pretty wild!

Cheers,
OutnAbout

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

OutnBout,

There is a poster on this board named Kevin7161, I think, or Kevin something or other, who is one of the kindest, most helpful posters around...Kevin is up either in Suzhou or near Suzhou (maybe it's Huzhou) and he has a great, great deal of knowledge to share about that neck of the woods. You may wish to contact him through PM or on this thread.

All the best,

HFG