Job Discussion Forums

[nateliu99]

Ok guys,

so I have been a science teacher in Los Angeles Unified for 6 years, I'm 27. I'm just getting that itch to travel and teach and learn chinese better. I'm Chinese by the way. I have no TEFL. I want to move to china in either august or september to teach. I don't even care about making savings, i just want to teach and sightsee for like a year

I keep looking online at dave's and networkesl, I keep replying to all of the ads but I'm not getting any responses, and maybe I'm doing something wrong, I just don't know why.

1. Anyone have recommendations as to a great place to live? God, I love LA weather, and someone recommended Hainan for me, I've got a buddy trying to use his connections in Shanghai for me, but I'm kind of open. I just hate hot humid weather and mosquitoes, but i realize this may be unavoidable.

2. Where is the best place to look online for a job? Is Dave's really the best? Why aren't any of them replying?

3. This whole thing about the postings asking you to send a copy of your passport? Is that fishy, considering you have not even talked to them yet? Can I make a copy with the passport number blotted out?

4. Does it help to call the schools to inquire instead of emailing? I bought an international calling card just in case.

5. Do you guys just have any advice at all? I'm getting a little worried at the lack of help I've seen concerning teaching in China

Thanks for any help!!!

[Glenski]

Advice #1, Have you posted this in the China forum?

[nickpellatt]

Being Chinese is a major disadvantage. It COULD be that Chinese employers arent replying for this very reason. One of the reasons they ask for passports is to note the blonde haired, blue eyed, and the white skin.

That is the perfect profile for encouraging parents to pay fees. Being Chinese is likely to be quite a disadvantage in finding work. I was actually in Hainan for 18 months from 2006 and still have some contacts there, which I can pass to you if interested?

Am I right in assuming you just want a year out really ... and are happy to make do, and have a bit of fun teaching oral english for 15 hours a week, rather than working in an International School doing the same teaching work in China as you do at home???????

If you are happy doing the above, I do have contacts in Hainan who may be able to help, do be aware that your ethnicity is actually a barrier to finding work in China rather than the advantage you might expect it to be. It is hot and humid there by the way ... mosquitos are that much of an issue though really.

**as suggested, do post in the China specific forums too**

[nateliu99]

that would be awesome nickpellat, can you send me a pm with the info?

I will post this also in the china forum, thanks for the advice

[nateliu99]

wow, thanks for the help nick, I can definitely make you the promise to let you know how it goes, i will be writing an email today!! You just don't know what help you have been to me, i really appreciate it

[naturegirl321]

Dave's and TEFL.com and eslbase.com are good. But it depends where you want to go. There are CHina only job advert places, etc.

They're not replying becuase they're either disorganised, or swamped with CVs at the moments.

I wouldn't call, unless you spoke the lanague, you might get put on hold for a LONG time.

Advice? DOn't go to CHina for the money

[nateliu99]

thanks for the advice, yeah i figured that the money thing was not gonna be very much, i just want the experience of chinese culture firsthand for a little while