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protonoto
Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 12
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:27 am Post subject: Anyone heard of http://www.oral-english.org/? |
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I have contacted this agency but I don't know much information about them. Anyone have any info? It'd be appreciated.
Also I was wondering how hard it'd be for me to get work. I don't have a university degree, just a 1 year college diploma.
I'm 20 years and plan on taking a weekend TESOL course. Anyone know of people my age finding work in China? I hope to work in Guangdong area if this makes any difference!
Thanks. |
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ttorriel
Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 193
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:52 am Post subject: |
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A one year college "diploma" ? Is that a fancy way to say you went to college for one year ?
You are too young to be teaching. |
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vikeologist
Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:49 am Post subject: |
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Perhaps the OP should take a quick course in cardiology so he's got the fall back option of becoming a heart surgeon in China. |
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protonoto
Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 12
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the completely helpless responses. I think I'll be the judge of what I can and can't do. I'm not in the USA, I don't mean University. College is a different thing in the UK. Do I need to be an old fart to teach in China? I think I've had enough life experience to cope with teaching in China.
Anyone helpful care to post something relevant? |
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norwalkesl
Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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protonoto wrote: |
Thanks for the completely helpless responses. I think I'll be the judge of what I can and can't do. I'm not in the USA, I don't mean University. College is a different thing in the UK. Do I need to be an old fart to teach in China? I think I've had enough life experience to cope with teaching in China.
Anyone helpful care to post something relevant? |
I haven't seen age restrictions on many job postings for China. The few ads that restrict by age are from the ME (25-50, etc.).
The one year diploma will be better than nought, and a CELTA will help also.
I think you will be able to find many job offers.
Schools and students often prefer a young face, and this is to your advantage.
Good Luck! |
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brsmith15

Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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I knew a 19 year-old from Canada who taught here.
Look around and see what comes your way. You just never know. Sometimes youth and vitality can do a lot. For one thing, you'll be about the same age as soe of your students; I'm not sure whether that would be good or bad.. |
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sui jin
Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 184 Location: near the yangtze
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:54 pm Post subject: |
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Of course you can do what you want, and many people in China may help you find a teaching job, but whether you will be 'legal' with a 1 year diploma and weekend tesol is another question.
You could try working in a kindergarten, if you have the energy. Guangzhou would be a good bet, because there are many foreigners (some of whom may be working illegally), and you would be near HK for the periodic visa run. |
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protonoto
Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 12
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Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:12 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the helpful and insightful responses.
I'm not sure if it's wise to look for work in China once I get there or before I leave. What do you think is best in my situation? If I happen to find a job is it easy to leave it and search for another?
Thanks again. |
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tommchone
Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 108
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:14 am Post subject: |
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"Your face is your resume." That's what I heard when I got here. It's true.
As far as leaving your job early, if you signed a contract it might make it difficult to get another job in China; they usually threaten legal action for breaking the contract, although there wouldn't be much they could do if you left the country. |
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The Ever-changing Cleric

Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:19 am Post subject: |
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protonoto wrote: |
Also I was wondering how hard it'd be for me to get work. I don't have a university degree, just a 1 year college diploma. |
can you elaborate on your one year of college? what field of study? most of us have obviously never heard of this one year program, and many schools actually do want to see a diploma/degree that shows four years of university completed before they can hire you. you need to provide more details if you want real answers.
protonoto wrote: |
I'm 20 years and plan on taking a weekend TESOL course. Anyone know of people my age finding work in China? I hope to work in Guangdong area if this makes any difference! |
i did hear of one school (the one that hired me in 2003 when i first arrived) that hired a bunch on 19-20 year olds. i never actually met any of them because the school told us they could no longer hire FTs, and we all left come end of june. but once we were gone they hired these teenagers/high schoolers. not sure how successful they were at the job, but one thing I'm almost certain of is this: they were hired to cut costs, meaning, these people could be hired at rock bottom salaries and be more easily manipulated than your average 30-40 year old (lack of experience v. experience).
protonoto wrote: |
I hope to work in Guangdong area if this makes any difference! |
Why Guangdong? I really think your options will be limited, and you wont have the luxury of choosing where you want to work.
protonoto wrote: |
Thanks for the completely helpless responses. I think I'll be the judge of what I can and can't do. I'm not in the USA, I don't mean University. College is a different thing in the UK. Do I need to be an old fart to teach in China? I think I've had enough life experience to cope with teaching in China. |
just curious what life experience a 20 year old has that enables you to cope with teaching in china? or living in china? have you lived or traveled abroad already for an extended period? on your own? this is a serious question - living and working in china isn't easy, even for some people who do have a lot of life experience. the archives of this forum are littered with people who arrived happy and left disillusioned (and broke). |
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protonoto
Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 12
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:34 am Post subject: |
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The Ever-changing Cleric wrote: |
can you elaborate on your one year of college? what field of study? most of us have obviously never heard of this one year program, and many schools actually do want to see a diploma/degree that shows four years of university completed before they can hire you. you need to provide more details if you want real answers. |
It was a one year in media. Not relevant I know but it's all I have.
The Ever-changing Cleric wrote: |
Why Guangdong? I really think your options will be limited, and you wont have the luxury of choosing where you want to work. |
I have alot of friends located in this area.
The Ever-changing Cleric wrote: |
just curious what life experience a 20 year old has that enables you to cope with teaching in china? or living in china? have you lived or traveled abroad already for an extended period? on your own? this is a serious question - living and working in china isn't easy, even for some people who do have a lot of life experience. the archives of this forum are littered with people who arrived happy and left disillusioned (and broke). |
I've been travelling by myself since I was 17 years old and been working since I was 16. People assume because I'm so young I'm clueless. As for working for a low salary in China I understand my circumstance and know I will have a lower salary from what this agency has told me. However I'm not visiting China for the salary I'm visiting for the experience and the opportunity to see different parts of the country. This also gives me a chance to get the necessary teaching experience for future opportunities. |
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The Ever-changing Cleric

Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:42 am Post subject: |
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i wont discourage you, because its possible for anyone to find esl work in china, and i mean anyone. its just harder for some than others.
connect with your friends and see what they can do is my suggestion. surely one or some of them know someone at a university or school somewhere that will hire you. |
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sharpe88
Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 226
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Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:21 am Post subject: |
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I don't know where he's from, but many Canadian colleges (as opposed to universities) do in fact have one or two year college diplomas. It's just a piece of paper below the rank of a bachelor's degree, and therefore has lesser requirements.
[quote="The Ever-changing Cleric"]
protonoto wrote: |
Also I was wondering how hard it'd be for me to get work. I don't have a university degree, just a 1 year college diploma. |
can you elaborate on your one year of college? what field of study? most of us have obviously never heard of this one year program, and many schools actually do want to see a diploma/degree that shows four years of university completed before they can hire you. you need to provide more details if you want real answers. |
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sharpe88
Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 226
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Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:24 am Post subject: |
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OP just keep in mind you will be working illegaly and could face deportation if the authorities catch you and feel like doing so. |
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protonoto
Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 12
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Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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sharpe88 I already answered those questions and mentioned I am in the UK if you had read more closely. |
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