Job Discussion Forums

[kattate]

Hi guys,

I've been looking at the China job listings on this website and have noticed that most of them paying a reasonable wage say ask for at least one year of teaching experience.

How do newbies crack the market and get hired if employers want so much experience? Or is the experience one gains in a 4-week TEFL course enough to satisfy this?

Is it wise as a newbie to just apply to all positions, even if they ask for lots of experience?

Thanks,
Kat

[Anda]

I once applied for a position that asked for a university degree when I didn't even have a high school certificate and got the job. Tell them you don't consider that teaching English is rocket science. Also tell them that you have had friendships with foreign students in your home country.

There are plenty of places that will take you without experience but be aware that many come to Asia teaching and only last a few months before they run home. It's called culture shock.

The other problem is that you can end up in front of a class of students that are not the slightest bit interested in studying. These types of things are why many places want someone that has gone the distance here in Asia.

Many Asian bosses will try and reduce the wage that they have agreed to. They might try to load you with extra work and not pay you for it etc. So be careful about rushing into the first job that you get offered.

[lf_aristotle69]

[Saiops]

Hi I am a teacher and Administrator:

Usually, we ask at least 1 year experience to make sure the individual is adjusted to the country. I do accept candidates sometimes that don't have any experience but they needed something that would make me try out a newbie:)

Reasons I have taken teachers with less than 1 year experience. This may not apply for all the other admins.

1. I was training a missionary/teacher to go work in the boondocks.

2. The individual's resume showed that they were adaptable and had other skills that would be beneficial to our organization.

3. I was desparate for a teacher because I had more classes to fill than I had teachers at that moment in time.

4. The teacher had experience in dealing with kids, teens, and adults.

5. They were a friend of mine- I train my teachers and I am usually willing to put in the extra effort for a friend.

6. The individual actually knew grammar. LOL

Hope this info is helpful.

[NateM]

Generally, if they can find someone who wants to work for them and has more experience than you, that other person will most likely get the job. However, this is China, and there are a lot of times where those more qualified people just aren't there. So I wouldn't write off writing to any school just because you don't have the experience.

[arioch36]

Ni yinggai trytry!