Job Discussion Forums

[skuser]

Ive been loooking into teaching english at a university in China starting this fall and I am wondering whats the best way is to go about it. Many of the job ads I have seen require at least some sort of TEFL cert, is it terribly important where you get one from? Would it be easier to go with a course in China such as Will-excel?? Should I just do a 120 hr online course like Ontesol? The CELTA is a bit out of my reach at this point so I was hoping that someone could recommend a quality program that would enable me to get hired at a chinse univ for the fall.

[Gilka]

I read once that the "requirements" for the typical position at a Chinese uni are more of a wishlist than a list of a demands. 90% of the time, that is totally accurate. They'd love a degree AND experience AND an industry standard TEFL certificate; however, they'd happily settle for two out of three and grudgingly settle for one out of three.

Why is the CELTA out of your reach? Money? Honestly, I wouldn't really suggest wasting your money on any "cheap" course if you don't have the money or time to do it right, and just take a starter job that will get you the experience you need. Unless, of course, you have absolutely no experience teaching, in which case it might be better for your nerves and your students' will to live if you were to get a bit of practice first.

[bradley]

Having a degree is the most important thing in order to teach at a university. Some universities prefer teachers with a post-graduate degree.

[skuser]

Well I have a degree, just graduated with a BA in History this spring. As for teaching exp, I worked as a teacher assistant in a highschool for one year. More like a tutor than a teacher really, would this be considered valid teaching exp? Would it be worth it to get a letter of reccomendation from my boss there?

I have been searching through some of the threads and it seems that a TEFL credential of any kind is a prerequisite for a work visa/residence permit in some areas of China. Is this still accurate?

[johntpartee]

[Zero]

The Chinese tend to be very honest people. I would not risk lying about your experience or credentials. The Chinese will be very offended, because of their moral sensibilities, which might trace back to Confucianism. I think "Zhongguo," transliterated literally, means "the honest country" or something.

Just remember, in China, honesty is the best policy. They'll respect you for it, I promise.

[Johnny_Utah]

^ I cant tell if you are being serious, or if that post just smacks of sarcasm. Moral Sensibilities ? Honest Kingdom ? Are we in the same country ?

[skuser]

Not planning on lying at all, I was not a teacher at the head of the class in the traditional sense, but working in a high school teaching kids did teach me a great deal.

I would really like to hear someone's take on the value of a quickie TEFL cert in the university job hunt. I know it can't really hurt, but I don't want to spend a couple hundred dollars on a sub par cert unless it is required for some of the more competitive jobs.

[Silent Shadow]

You guys are probably not regulars here. If you were, you would know that Zero is the master of irony on Daves.

[skuser]

Honesty is not the best policy in China eh? Maybe I should just forge a TEFL cert then

[johntpartee]

An employer in Indonesia offered to forge a TEFL cert for me when I told him I didn't have one. When I declined, he told me that they were required in China and that my employers here had probably already submitted bogus ones for me; anything's possible, I suppose, but none of my prospective employers have asked about certification.

[Johnny_Utah]

Chinese will jump at the chance to take advantage of you, and rip you off. They will lie right through their teeth just to "save face". I once in an interview, told the employer that my TESL was worthless in preparing me to teach in china, it was the truth, and they didn't like it, so they didn't hire me. After that time, i talk up my TESL certificate like I would not know how to teach without it.

[skuser]

I just read a bunch of stuff about "saving face" on middlekingdom, pretty fascinating stuff if you ask me. I think you would have been hired if you told them how valuable your cert was in a monotone voice with terrible body language. Then you could have knocked their socks off by saving face yourself!

[Miles Smiles]

Lots of low posters showing up asking for employment tips. Why don't they do their homework? Zillions of jobs at ESLJOBS.com.


Bye

[Big Poppa Pump]

How often do universities offer six month contracts?