Job Discussion Forums

chicagotechrs · Joined: 05 Sep 2010 Posts: 7

Very new to teaching abroad and I just have a few questions. Thanks in advance for all help! My wife and I are interested in teaching in Beijing starting next August. She will have her Masters degree and I have an Associates degree. We are interested in getting TEFL certified, and wanted to know if there is any number of hours that are reccomended. Also since I only have my Associates degree, will it be harder for me to get a job with her? Does anyone have any reccomendations on where to start the job hunt or is it to early to start looking for next year?
Thanks!

AdrianG4 · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: Harbin, China

It shouldn't be any harder for you to find a job, but the visa thing might be an issue. Send your school all your qualifications after you get your tesol and they'll find both you and your wife as a nice package, I'm sure.

Then,
the school will hopefully, "fix" your degree thing Wink

chicagotechrs · Joined: 05 Sep 2010 Posts: 7

I am thinking of getting a 120 hr certification. Do you think this is good or should I do more or less?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 10:48 pm Post subject:

The hours length isn't really the most significant part of a qualification- which are you considering?

The concernt that the other poster meant ("fix your degree thing") is that, for the purposes of immigration, you don't have a degree, though your wife does. (An associates isn't usually recognised- China, and many places, requires a 4 year or bachelor's degree).

But... the world is an odd place.

They might hire your wife, take you on a spousal visa, and pay her for your work.

They might photoshop the details on your AA.

Or whatever...

Justin

chicagotechrs · Joined: 05 Sep 2010 Posts: 7

Thanks for they reply. We ended up going with ITTT 120 hr course and you either get a free young learners or teaching business english. Are either of these more beneficial?
Thanks

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 1:11 am Post subject:

I'd think they'd mostly be as useful as each other, which is to say not very.

I'd recommend investigating ITTT very carefully, and choosing a TESOL course carefully.

Remember, you're coming from behind the pack, degree-wise. So do yourselves a favor and put a quality cert on your resume.

Check out this thread- http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=71643&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

All the best,
Justin

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

that being said, China IS China. Laws vary according to provinces and who works at immigration. I was told, though don't know if it was true, that I needed two years experience fora Z visa, since I only had 6 months, my employer fixed my CV and about a week or two later, had a fancy Z visa. Things might have changed since then, but I think China's still flexible.

If you're older, than that can work to your advantage as you will have life experience.

chicagotechrs · Joined: 05 Sep 2010 Posts: 7

Thanks for all of your help. I am hoping to have my papers fixed and just get in with my wife and her masters degree. I have also read some things about becoming a foreign language expert. Does anyone know how hard this is to do, or if it is even worth trying to get this? One more question.. if we finish our TEFL certifications soon, but are looking to move next August should we start sending resumes now or wait a little bit?
Thanks again

tttompatz · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:40 am Post subject:

Old Surrender · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:04 am Post subject:

Your wife will have no problem getting a good job in Beijing. You might run into some problems. The first-tier cities expect first-tier qualifications in order for you to be a LEGAL teacher.

However, will your potential school "fix" your docs? Perhaps. But these are the same schools that will be willing to pull some of the same shady stuff on you.

If you're not set on BJ and Shanghai, look at places like Harbin, Dalian, Qingdao, and Yantai. They're all cleaner, beautiful cities with Western-style amenities (for the occasion you crave a burger and fries and a Guinness at a bar that doesn't have someone singing) and you'll stand a better chance at getting a better job. Your wife will still get a great job too.

Post in the China forums.

I also came as a couple with my wife, PM me if you want.