Job Discussion Forums

rwpjobs · Joined: 06 Mar 2004 Posts: 64

I'm interested in hearing people's experiences, we are two teachers with several years' experience in Europe and are seriously considering going to China in the autumn. What are our best options?

Lanza-Armonia · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 2:22 pm Post subject:

Well bud, you've come to the right place, but your question is extremely wide-ended. If you ask slightly more specific questions, concerns and the like, we can answer you. If you just want a general feel for China before you go, I suggest looking at this site and it's archives of old posts. They certainly kept me entertained for hours before coming to China.

Enjoy!

LA Laughing

bullitt · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 49 Location: Shanghai

I'd take a look at some of the expat high schools. Most of the major cities have at least one, and bigger cities have quite a few. These schools model their curriculum after their home country, so it should be easy for you to find a place to capitalize on your experience. For example, Shanghai has an American, Australian, French, German, and Japanese schools. Another benefit is that the pay (at least at the American schools) is about triple that of the run of the mill ESL job, plus I imagine it will be quite a bit more rewarding.

Here is a link to a list of the shanghai area expat schools.

http://www.moveandstay.com/shanghai/guide_international_schools.asp

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

China is a very different kettle of fish compared to Europe. If you read our comments, and if you read between the lines you will detect this easily enough.
In general, you have face value but not professional status. Your students are probably nice to you, but won't obey you too well. There is very little job stability, teaching materials excel by their absence or by their stupendous makeup, but they certainly aren't what you would like them to be.
If youdo come here, you will learn your trade from scratch again.

Slim Pickens · Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 299

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

Hello,

We propably need a few more details if you want our advice to of any help. As Roger mentioned, teaching in China is not all it is made up to be. I have figured that there are 3 routes you can try:

- safe route: get a university/college job. this option is a bit easier to live with for most newbies in China. you are not making wads of cash but you will have plenty to live on. yourwork week will be fairly short so you can travel, teach privates or just be a flat-out coach-potato.

- exciting route: middle or high school job. pays a bit more and your kids will either make or brea your stay. quite a few folks around here have gobne that route and it is decent pay. I personally prefer to teach adults as they know a bit more and I can hold them accountable for their behavior.

crap route: private school/language mills. that is where most of the horror stories come out of. just read the posts.

hope this helps.