Job Discussion Forums

[kenssb]

Hello everyone,

I've been searching various threads and can not seem to find a solution to my problem.

I have recently been contacted by a school that informed that i mirror the qualities they look for in an applicant (psychology education and a vast amount of experience with working/teaching young children) but since Beijing requires applicants to have at least 2 years work experience post graduation it would be impossible for them to get me a proper Z Visa.

They went on to say that if i was keen on working in China (which i am) they could get me an F visa. They were honest about the problems with this, but said it might be okay since the school was new and fairly off the radar. (i would not go to China to work on an F Visa)

My question is, i thought i read somewhere once that if a teacher had a TESOL Certificate that would be enough to fulfill the experience requirement. IS this true?

My current qualifcations are...

1. Native Canadian
2. B.A Psychology
3. Seven years (during high school/University) of work experience
....If i got a TESOL Cert. would i be eligible for a proper visa. Or is the 2 years post grad experience something i can not get around?

I really want this job, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[LanGuTou]

Look at those seven years post graduate work experience and see if there are any aspects of it that can be contrived into teaching experience. If there is any training or HR work involved, it can easily be morphed into teaching experience even if it is only one to one or small groups. Teaching doesn't necessarily have to be education related.

[Sinobear]

If you can't meet the requirements of the FRP (Foreign Residents Permit), then meet the requirements of the F visa:

- You are a lecturer NOT a teacher
- You will receive a stipend NOT a salary
- Your school will pay all applicable taxes on your stipend and you will receive a tax receipt at the end of your 'agreement'.
- You will have to leave mainland China (whether to Macau or HK) periodically. Get the school to foot the bill for this if they're really interested in you.
- Should you be questioned by the authorities at any point, be sure to mention the above: you're a lecturer, not a teacher; you receive a stipend, not a salary; you are paying taxes on your stipend; etc.

Just keep in mind that the above makes you legal in the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law. You could be detained, fined and/or deported should someone really put the spotlight on you.

[gene]