Job Discussion Forums

[mister tom]

i'm planning on going over to china to teach esl for the first time from the uk asap

fifty years old with a masters and no tefl etc, and thinking about doing a celta in guangzhou or similar here

the question is would it be better to secure a position before i come over - that seems to be the most recommended - or should i come over on spec and see what i can pick up while i'm over there?

[GypsyKingAdventures]

Hey, Mister Tom...you probably won't get many responses to your posts, but we have all been where you are now so I want to take a minute and explain why....

When you ask us what would we do if we were you, we all remember the time, the sweat, the confusion, the sheer work it took to get a grip on how to make something like a move to another country happen, successfully.

You are headed in the right direction - this is the best and most widely-used site in the world for ESL-related info - BUT - since you have your master's degree you will understand this completely - you have to do your research and that means hitting the books...i.e., online research, etc..

There are simply no short cuts to what you want to do, or you will end up in a very tenuous situation in another country and China is not one of those soft and gentle countries where a few bumps in the road add to the fun. You are biting off a big chunk of adventure wanting to come over here but it is incredible and worth every day - but you need to do it right and take care of yourself but the basics are all here for your research...

So, here's what I would do because this is what almost everybody has to do...

I would spend the next 30 days or so reading every post on the China (jobs-related only) site, and then spend the next 30 nights reading every post on the China (off-topic) site. Every path you end up going down will fill in the holes...

Please don't get miffed, we were all in pretty much the same situation and we appreciate where you're coming from...good luck, there are huge opportunities out here, write me back if I can help you personally, and remember to get all your shots updated...

Cheers!

[mister tom]

not at all miffed gypsy, and thanks for the considered reply

i am currently ploughing through the forums you mention

i havent had a shot since i was a kid but of course i will do that if i have to

many thanks

tom

[calgrl471]

I would recommend finding a job prior... Unless you know a lot of foreigners already in China or know Chinese it would be hard finding a job in China! But Good Luck in your decision.

[evaforsure]