Job Discussion Forums

[yeswereserious]

We have just been told this by Aston:

If you don't have a bachelor's degree but are offered a position the school/agency will simply forge a bachelors degree to submit as part of your visa application.

China is very reluctant to let children into the country and getting a residence permit/visa for them will be near impossible.

Life for children in China is very hard as they will always be the centre of attention.

We should first holiday in China before considering moving to teach there, even though we are only considering a 6 month contract.

We've been offered positions by schools who know I don't have a BA and know that we have children, are these offers fools gold.

Would we be foolish to continue?

HELP!

[mike w]

[XiGua]

Most Universities will require a BA. However, as said in another thread you can still find a suitable job for you without one.

As far as your children goes, I had friend who brought his son here. His son was maybe 9 or 10 or something. But the boy seemed pretty happy, he had friends, his Chinese became better than his fathers and there was no problems that I'm aware of. It just depends on how much you plan on wandering around the city and what your child looks like. If they're a blonde you better watch out

And as the forgery goes. My current recruiting agency does the same thing (Not Aston) and they don't tell the teachers about it. I saw they made a fake BA for my old roommate who I knew for a fact didn't go to college. And later I found out that they made me a fake TESOL. Hell you could do this yourself and no one would know the difference.

[roadwalker]

For a six month contract, the school would seem a bit hard up to both fake a degree for and accept minor dependents from a foreign teacher. Note that China would hold you responsible for any visa irregularities, separate and apart from whatever happens to the school. What this means for you, I will leave to posters with experience or other information in these circumstances.

On the other hand, I agree that it would be a great idea to holiday in China before deciding to teach there. Unfortunately, many (most?) teachers don't have the financial resources to take a look. Also, living in a place can be quite a different thing from being a tourist in that place. It's more complicated now that it has become difficult to obtain a work visa outside of one's native country, where before you could come take a look, and if you like it, have the school adjust your status in country.

OP, I would avoid a company that openly discusses faking documents, whether it is the school itself or a recruiter. They don't seem worthy of your trust, and it's not just you but also your family coming over.

[yeswereserious]

[yeswereserious]

So I spoke to the Chinese consulate about what Aston had mentioned regarding the difficulty of getting visas for kids. The lady on the phone laughed. "No way!"

Thanks for the freak-out, Aston.

[daCabbie]

I know you will do what pleases you, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't warn you of the door you are opening.

The less qualifications you have the less opportunities you will have, the schools know this. Yes, you will find lots of jobs and get plenty of offers, but be careful of these schools. You have no idea how many ways you can get screwed until they actually happen to you.

The person who advised that you tour China before you move here made a good suggestion. Not a kind one, but truthful.

The schools are going to see: two children, little experience, less than desirable credentials and think, 'ya, we can abuse these people.' That is the Chinese way (sometimes, not always). I live here with my retired mother, sometimes it opens doors sometimes it closes them. But generally the schools think, 'oh, he can't pick up and leave if we do that to him. He wouldn't have his 70+ year old mother move out in the middle of the night.' That is what they think. But, I know in China you must be willing to drop it all, walk out the door and never look back. Some employers and ruthless and cannot be reasoned with.

So, be careful. Ask a lot of questions and read the Cafe archives. You have made a good decision by asking others for help. Keep that up!

I would suggest a small technical college or middle school. Someplace that is permanent, not a fly by night language school (chain). Stability is what you seek and a middle school or college can give you that.

Personally, I would suggest using this time in your life to get an education. If you have the 3500USD it will cost to fly your family here and the extra 3500 in case things go bad(this is a must in China, I call it my Buy-Bye-By Out Money) and you have to leave in a hurry. Than you have the money to go to a community college.

How much travel experience do you have?
What are your ages?
Where in China do you want to go?
What country are you from?
Why do you want to teach?
Where have you taught before?
Ever worked for criminals who lie with a smile?


I hope I didn't come across as rude, but I could not sleep at night if I didn't say these things. I am not a recruiter so unlike other posters I have nothing to gain or lose here.

[roadwalker]