Job Discussion Forums

[atomicneon]

Does an American teacher have to leave the country once a year, and
be invited back each year. What happens after the age of 65? Is the
teacher no longer invited back?

What do you think is the effect of the recent world resession on new
ESL teachers in China? Are jobs harder to get? Worse pay and conditions?
Is there a good feeling toward Americans in China?

I'm thinking about taking an ESL course and going to China. I have no
college diploma.

Thank you for your advice.

Mike

[kungfucowboy83]

[atomicneon]

Thank you very much for your response.

This blog has been very informative for me, but do you know of any other blogs like this one that are more about Shanghia?

Do you know how much a 14 volt battery drill would cost there?
I'm also interested in learning glass blowing there. Can you point me
in a direction to where I could find out about learn glass blowing?
It would cost me $80 an hour to learn it in the US.

Mike

[Mister Al]

Lack of a degree will severely hinder your prospects of working in China legally, see other threads on this topic.

Try http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/index.php

[bradley]

Once you are in the country on a proper working visa it is easy to just continue. I have never had to leave China in the past four years for my visa. Of course laws are made to be changed or at least that is how it feels here.

As for the job market, it is still good but of course the best jobs are always the most difficult ones to get

[KarenB]

As noted above, you do NOT need to return to America each summer. I know many teachers who only go home every 2 or 3 years -- I prefer to go home because of family issues, but it isn't necessary -- my visa has been renewed right here in the province for the past 7 years.

Being over 65 is an issue with the government schools -- I think there's an official cut -off point there. If you're in a private school they might let you stay longer. Some schools set a limit of 50 because they're worried about health issues and they think older teachers might not be spry enough to keep up with the students and life in China. My colleague is 64 right now, and has proved that theory wrong. If they KNOW you, and know you're in good health and energetic, they'd probably continue renewing your contract as long as they were satisfied with your teaching and ability to relate well with students and colleagues.

[kev7161]

Well, I'm 48 this year (gawd!) and didn't leave country last summer except for a short holiday to parts south. Have gotten my RP renewed year after year with no problem. I'm diabetic and my school knows it but are eager to have me stay on for another one, two, ten years if I'm willing (gawd!). So I agree with the above poster: once you find a good school and you can show them you are a top-notch employee, they may well bend over backward and give you untold riches to get you to stay.

[Itsme]

I was in Shanghai when my one year visa expired. I DID have to leave the country but I was not working so I did not try and re-enter.

[dialogger]

I've just been advised by a university I wanted to rejoin after a couple of years away that there was now a 60 years of age cut off.
It was a case of 'we'd love to have you back but rules are rules'.
My FAO contact suggested I call her to talk details so there may be angles to this that she doesn't want to commit to email.

[mike w]

The issue of the so-called '�ut-off' age has just been checked into by the company I work for (state-owned multinational). There is definitely no law in China which directly stipulates a cut-off age for foreigners, or for the issue of a Z visa, RP, or FEC. This information came from Beijing PSB, Beijing Exit and Entry Bureau, and from the company lawyers.
Some provinces seem to have found other ways around it so they don't employ older foreigners, such as it not being possible to obtain medical insurance if you are over 65. The cut-off age is basically left to the discretion of the employer.
Our company has decided that 70 will be the cut-off age, which makes some sense considering three of our group are already over 65.
As for leaving the country after five-years. This seems to be one of those very vague rules that is applied when it suits their purpose, like needing some sort of excuse to not renew a contract or visa for whatever reason.
I have been in China for 14 years, and a couple of my colleagues have been here for 7 years and none of us have ever seen or heard of the rule applied.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I guess my inclination was right - most of the folks who frequent this site are on their way down the hill.

Whatever happened to Anthony P and Ilunga?

Bob Jones

[dialogger]

No - most of the people who frequent this site are immature, opinionated, pimply, popinjays.

[atomicneon]

I'm 44. A small business contractor. Well traveled, well spoken. Navy veteran. Business has been very bad lately. If China wants me to teach english without a college diploma, then good for the both of us. I can
do a 40 hour work week standing on my head. Teaching people english
looks like a walk in the park compared to sign business, driving taxis in NYC or working on tug boats.

If you're so quick to make broad generalizing insults, then the reverse is true about you(s)

[Sugar Magnolia]

If you're 44, why on Earth would you ask about something that might happen in 21 years?

Get a college degree is my advice to you. It seems to me that you want to come to China for all the wrong reasons - "business" is bad so I think I'll get a TEFL certificate and teach in China.

I guess business was never really that good.

Excuse me while I pop the zit on my goolie.

7/04