Job Discussion Forums

[southerngirl]

Hi All

I have seen postings for public school teachers in Shenzen that look quite interesting.
The salaries look very comparable to to what I am currently making in Korea. And I am ready for a change. I was wondering about a few things in regards

When does the Chinese school year start? When is the mid-term?
As it is not Hong Kong, I would think that 10,500-14,000RMB/month with paid housing would make it fairly easy to save money if eating local food, cooking at home and adhering to a budget.

The ads also list a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA as a requirement... Is there any preference for one as opposed to the other?

And, lastly, does China have the "ageism" that Korea seems to? I am 50, an avid cyclist and yoga practitioner who takes very good care of myself. I have never had a problem finding a job during my 7+ years in Korea,but have seen some teachers who weren't so "active" not get re-signed.

From what I can see on the internet, it looks like a great place to ride bikes, has some great shops (I must confess to being a bike "SNOB"
) and several yoga studios???

If anyone can offer advice and/or insights re: school year, certification preferences and "active" over 50 teachers, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[johntpartee]

Your age SHOULDN'T be a problem (some schools don't want older teachers, but they will usually mention it in the job announcement). It's never been an issue for me (I'm 59). Whenever I apply for a position ANYWHERE (not just China) the first thing I tell them is my age and ask if it matters. It hasn't so far.

[Henry_Cowell]

Age is a definite non-starter in certain other Asian countries where there is a clearly stated maximum age set by the government for foreign workers. Malaysia is one of these (maximum age for work permit is 60). Indonesia is getting closer (with an "unofficial" maximum age of 60 for a KITAS permit).

[Adventurer]

I have never been to S.Korea, but judging by the number of hits that I receive on job applications vs China, I'd say that age-ism and race-ism
is much more common in SK. SK recruiters that I have corresponded with have confirmed this to me.

I have been offered jobs with major chain schools in China and Taiwan, after either a phone, skype, or face to face interview. If you don't mind teaching children in China, I don't think that you'll be discriminated against.

Avoid EF adult schools in Shanghai. They might hire you to fill their
immediate need for teachers, but as soon as a young, blond haired blue eyed babe comes along, they won't hesitate to let you go if you haven't completed your probation period.

Wall Street English seems to welcome mature/older teachers.

Good luck.

[roadwalker]

School year for public universities begin approx Sept. 1 and run 18 or 19 weeks. Second term begins mid to late February to early March and ends early July, though I'm usually out before July. I imagine that primary and secondary schools are similar.

I don't have a Celta or Trinity Tesol but have a lesser-known TEFL cert. With seven years of experience, especially if it's directly relevant, it is doubtful that it would matter which you have. If you're asking because you intend to pick one up, it may pay to get the CELTA especially if you plan to eventually work outside of China. In China, I think it's less of an issue except perhaps with some chains.

China generally welcomes older teachers, especially for public schools but many areas are starting to get antsy about over-60s. Younger teachers seem more of a risk.

[southerngirl]

Thanks for the replies.

As I have been in elementary schools for 6 years now, I will avoid the "language mills like the "plague".

Does China have private schools...not language institutes,rather elementary , middle and high schools whereby interviews and tuition are required for entrance? I am currently working at an exclusive private school in Seoul and the kids are as horribly behaved as the poor rural kids in the countryside.

How, in general, is the behavior of Chinese school students?

Johnpartee, where in China have you worked?
Roadwalker, may I pm you with some questions?

[kungfuman]

[johntpartee]

[backtothefront]

[twilothunder]

In Pinyin it is officially romanised as 'Shenzhen', not 'Shenzen' (as you have put twice).

They might annoyingly not pronounce their 'zh' properly in the south (or their 'sh' for that matter) but it doesn't make it correct.

[twilothunder]

And 10000 even with housing is definitely not enough in Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou/Shenzhen, don't let anyone tell you that it is.

[Adventurer]

10,000RMB per month plus housing IS enough - in any P.R.C. city.

[twilothunder]

Enough to have proper medical insurance? Enough to save for the future - pension etc?

No it's not, it's 'enough' to scrape by on in Tier 1 cities.

[southerngirl]

Hey backtothefront, thanks for your kind offer
I just sent you a PM

As for not being able to live and save on 10,500-14,000 RMB per month with housing included, I find that hard to believe. The only reasonable explanation I could imagine would be a student loan. Luckily, I never had any of those. And, if someone likes an extravagant lifestyle....well.

I have been able travel SE Asia, take two trips home, pay off my mortgage and fully fund my IRA annually.................AND save 50,000USD in seven and a half years. Admittedly, the last job (and this one,as well) had enough OT hours that made it unnecessary to touch my salary.

With the overtime possibilities and paid housing, the salaries offered in China would enable me to continue along the same lines

[7969]