Job Discussion Forums

hellodolly52 · Joined: 01 Sep 2011 Posts: 1

Hello teachers. A friend of mine took a Celta Class at Language Link in Beijing, a while ago. They wanted me to share their story on here. More information coming soon as I go through their notes.

keeperofpythons · Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 152 Location: zhu san jiao

I JUST finished my CELTA there last month, and it was pleasant (though rough) from start to finish. I'm much too lazy to elaborate, but all in all if you're going to do a CELTA in China, that's the place to go (I've heard that other centers in China have either been closed down, or offer classes intermittently at best). The office manager Susan will save your life at least a couple of times during the course, and the current head tutor, Oksana (who will be there for the next year), is very helpful and quite the resource. The only thing terrible at the course was the cassette players, and it's beyond me why those would even be in a classroom nowadays anyways. If anyone ever has any questions about this place, please PM me. I cannot recommend it enough.

Johnny_5 · Joined: 29 Jun 2011 Posts: 11

pinkfloyri · Joined: 17 Sep 2011 Posts: 4

Hi there keeperofpythons: I am seriously considering doing my CELTA in Beijing. My other option is Vietnam at this point. I would love to PM about specifics, but I don't have enough posts yet. Anyway, hopefully you will see this and be able to answer these questions:

Can you speak into the so-called government enforced requirement to have at least 2 years teaching experience in order to receive a work permit in Beijing? Or are you even looking for work now in Beijing?

Do you know if I will have to return to the USA after the CELTA in order to obtain a work visa for China?

And lastly, where do you recommend staying during the CELTA? I'm too old for hostel dorms or seedy Beijing accommodations :)

SahanRiddhi · Joined: 18 Sep 2010 Posts: 267

Celta in China? Few jobs there require it. Are you just overflowing with money and don't know how to spend it all?

pinkfloyri · Joined: 17 Sep 2011 Posts: 4

SahanRiddhi: Speaking for myself, I would like the opportunity to teach around the world, and China happens to be the place I would like to start. Yes, you are correct, CELTA is not at all necessary for China or most places in Asia for that matter. But if I am going to take the course eventually anyway, it makes sense to do it before I begin my teaching career even if China doesn't care if I have the certification or not. Your comments seem unnecessary.

keeperofpythons · Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 152 Location: zhu san jiao

I'm not in Beijing now, and I'd consider going there if and only if the right job came around. BJ, Shanghai and GZ are much stricter than the rest of China. The worst thing they can tell you is no.

If your employer specifies Hong Kong or another place in your work invite letter, then you wouldn't have to return to the states. This is also subject to interpretation, weather, stars, gods, wind direction, etc on that particular day.

If you do get in for the CELTA @ LLBJ, they will send you a document of like 10 local places you can stay for cheap, including hostels that have decent hotel rooms. Even if you don't like those, then it'll be easy to find local hotels to stay at because most of them will have someone who speaks a little bit of English, or even a place on their websites in English where you can make reservations.