Job Discussion Forums

[struelle]

Part of what makes EFL interesting is keeping up to date on the ever-changing visa regulations that allow us to do our jobs. On this note, I've recently heard conflicting sources of information about obtaining foreign expert cards (red books) and Z-visa.

Historically, new FTs in China have only needed a BA degree to get the red book. The school I work at told me a different story, that a teaching qualification plus 2 years experience was now required by the government. This sounded very fishy, and MTN countered that argument.

However, I recently dropped in to say how's it going with my old employers. In conversation, they mentioned that the government is now encouraging, but not requiring, FTs to have a certificate and teaching experience before getting the red book.

Does anyone have concrete and solid evidence to back up this claim?

If so, I have mixed feelings about this regulation. The best news is that more qualified teachers would come to China. The government would help 'weed out' those unprofessional teachers without the training. But, when you look at the actual working conditions and salary most local employers provide, not to mention their expecations of the FT, a teaching certificate makes the FT overqualified!

If the government is moving in the direction of requiring new teachers to be certified, they'd also better start hiking FT salaries and getting some decent teacher training and professional development programs in place at the schools. And pronto!

Steve