Job Discussion Forums

[KazeKiernan]

Salutations, sorry if this is not the right place to ask, or if it has already been asked. I used the search function, but could not find anything concrete, so i lend my voice to those who will listen.

Anyways, hello i have been roaming the boards for some weeks now (boards related to China anyway) and it has been very helpful with what i seek to obtain, but nothing that would be related to...well i suppose me and my friend. I am currently 20 and being fresh out of high school and attending a community college at the moment i became interested in the programs related to Oral English Teachers, but knowing China and knowing people around me (I myself am of Asian decent) i tend to be wary of, "business proposals," related to China.

I suppose the main question i need help/advice from is that i plan on going to China this summer, or fall depending on when and how the Chinese school system works, but have yet to find a "reliable" recruiter. I have read i would be better off looking on my own in the right places, but i have no knowledge of where to look and with my current standings as a student with no experience, but ambitions and a future in a teaching career i tend to lean toward recruiters.

With that said i ask you would someone of my caliber be able to look for an oral English teacher position in China. I have relatives and family there, but was hoping to find a place to support my stay and further my education there being as i wish to become a future history teacher in China.

*Summary*
1.) Looking for an oral English teacher position to further my studies in Chinese history (for my bachelors in Chinese history, hopefully)

2.) Currently 20 working towards my liberal arts in a community college to set me up for a bachelors in history in a university (have taken beginners mandarin and Japaneses, going into JAP/CHI 2 this year then intermediate.)

3.) Looking for a position to help me stay afloat in China aka a paying job that will keep my tabs in bills and what not during my stay in China if institution does not supply apartment.

4.) If i cannot find a job via in the states what would the chances be of finding one while in China?

5.) Can and how should i advance my studies in China to fuel my future career as a teacher while there aka getting a degree of sorts, or a certificate that would help my chances of becoming a teacher?

Again sorry if this has been posted, but i have been looking everywhere and find some good offers, but prefer those with experience here to help me. I have applied to VIPChina86.com, the Buckland Group (I know i read about them on this board) and NetworkESL.com

I received an email from NetworkESL.com and was wondering what their standings are with this community or if anyone has had any sort of contact with me any comments would be appreciated.

[roadwalker]

Does your community college have any exchange relationships with China? I don't think course work here would usually be accepted for credit in the States otherwise. Or, if not your CC, perhaps the four-year school that you are hoping to transfer into?

If you were to study here, you would run into offers to teach on the side. I don't know how far that would go to make ends meet, depends on your bargaining skills and the market you find yourself in. And bear in mind that the classes you would be taking would be in learning the Chinese language, unless your school or some other school has set up other courses. Your Chinese will improve, unless you end up teaching a lot and make a lot of Free English Lesson Friends.

I'm sure you have gleened from this forum that your Asian looks are a definate hinderance to finding work, although it's not impossible. Not having a degree makes it a double-whammy. If you are strictly looking for a job, you should concentrate on those provinces maybe you never heard of in the Interior. There are many medium and small cities that jobs for foreigners go begging since the foreigners don't go there. They would more likely be willing to overlook your "wrong" looks and your lack of degree. Good luck.

[mcl sonya]

Well, most schools look for someone with some sort of teaching certificate or a bachelors degree. I would recommend using your connections in China and seeing if they can't help you find work first. I think it's a good thing that you study languages, that way you know what it's like to be on the other side of the podium, and you can remember the ways your teachers taught you. I went to chinaabroad.com or something that someone recommended to me on here, applied to the school through their website, and I found my job that way.

Being Asian isn't a selling point, but I keep hearing things that encourage me. The head of the foreign teachers told some of the other foreign teachers that she thinks it's fantastic I'm here (I'm Taiwanese-American), it's so nice having an FT who speaks decent Chinese and can translate for the others, and she also thinks it's very good for the students to meet Chinese people from other parts of the world, etc. Some of my students told me at English Corner today that I'm "diligent," and compared me to their past foreign teachers and said I was so much better and they were glad to have me.

On the teacher bus two days ago, while I was napping, I half awoke to hear a teacher having a conversation about me. He didn't name me, and I don't think he realized I was right there, but he was excitedly talking about how there were actually Chinese people born and raised in America, they're called ABShes!, who could barely speak Chinese (at this point, I wanted to interrupt and say, are you talking about me? but that seemed too awkward, so I just eavesdropped), and that not only do they speak perfect English but they're hired as foreign teachers! he sounded like it was big news; the other English teachers he was talking to were like, "Uh huh", because they knew who I was, I judged a speech contest with them before. He continued to talk about how the FT's mom is from Taiwan and then someone made him change the subject. It was kind of funny. Anyway. They'll be surprised that an Asian can speak perfect English, some people might be too surprised and not buy it. But, once hired, if you're a good teacher, they'll recognize it and appreciate you, and come to think it's a good idea having an Asian American. I think I really opened some doors in my students' heads by telling them about Asian Americans, and they're really interested in hearing about Chinese people in America and about how they're viewed in society and about how they've influenced American society and helped build the country. Especially with all the b.s. about the world being racist against China, I think it's important for them to hear that there are Chinese descent people in those countries and who can testify first hand, "Those countries aren't racist, I'm living proof."

[KazeKiernan]

[mcl sonya]

No. This wasn't an anecdote about how I'm poorly raised (I've never heard that before). They were STUNNED THAT THERE IS A CHINESE AMERICAN. This was the news. I put it in bold just so you understand this is the emphasis.