Job Discussion Forums

[Sudz]

Hi there.

I currently have over 6 years of experience teaching most levels (except for adults), and am wondering where I should go to get some relevant post-MA TESOL experience (once I finish!)

Any input on location and/or school would be much appreciated. I'm interested in working in the Middle-East somewhere down the line, but the good jobs need at least a couple of years of relevant post-MA experience .

I'm very interested in China - and have done some traveling there as well - but I've heard that it's not the best place to exploit having an MA TESOL. I realize that China might not be the best place to earn money, but this would be a slight factor as well (I'd like to put away some money if possible).

Thanks

[Mister Al]

Are you asking where should you work based on the fact you have an MA? There are opportunities for anyone with an MA all over China. The decision you make should be based on what kind of place would suit you; size, climate, earnings required etc etc etc. You are being far too general. If you do some research and come back with some detailed questions, that might help.

[Mister Al]

Double post.

[Sudz]

Sorry I was assuming one thing: that an MA TESOL is not really necessary in China, and that there wouldn't be many places (besides perhaps in the bigger cities) where it would really come in handy (I've heard that a BA is often sufficient for uni work....perhaps I've heard wrong).

So yes I was originally asking where I might work based on the MA (perhaps some institutions/cities where it might be best exploited). If it's the case where one would be able to use such a degree in many areas of China, then I'd have to have to do a little more research.

I think I'd be interested in Beijing or Shanghai (despite some of the expats I'd met there) as of now - I quite like big cities. I'd really like to work in Hong Kong one of these days as well, though that's a separate discussion.

[Skyblue2]

Why is it that people always say salaries are low in China?

Some people have said recently that well-established teachers can earn 20k RMB.

That's around $3,000 USD per month, more than a lot of people in Korea make.

I don't know how much you would pay in taxes on that amount, but it seems like a pretty reasonable wage by EFL standards in East Asia.

[Non Sequitur]

You seem to have experience/qual that would be relevant to an international school.
They pay way better than the average China uni job.
Do a google on 'international schools China'.
Clifford in Guangzhou was hiring a month or so ago I recall.

[Sudz]

Skyblue - I'm not sure, though that's generally what I've heard. I did hear a couple of people mentioning that things are getting better. 3000US a month is a very good salary indeed (by ESL standards).

Non Sequitur - I'll look into this for sure. I'm wondering though: wouldn't international schools require one to have a B.Ed/PGDE (a teaching degree) from their own country? Usually the MA TESOL is for uni jobs (though I have heard that some places have different requirements.)

[tributary]

Credentials are meaningless in China. Whether you have a supposed Master degree, Ph.D., etc. are nothing here. Unless you're teaching in an international school it's useless. The pay difference is a couple hundred RMB per degree level. If you are something more important, like an M.D. or something, then you can teach other jobs in a professional arena. Multiple degrees, advanced degrees count for nothing here. Foreigners only like to think they are more qualified and should earn more. That's not how it works in China. If you want to exploit a high priced education, you have to do it in a normal (your home) country.

[Non Sequitur]

Sudz
I took your comment about exp as being practical teaching even if not backed up by 'Registered Teacher' or Dip Tchg or a B Ed
All job postings are wishlists and nowhere more so than in China.
Get applying and then get into conversation with a school or schools - neither you nor they are making any commitment until you sign.
Even if you are forced to take a crap mill job, do so in a good location - you choose - and make it your business to get around the FAOs in local unis to see what's up.
Being able to eyeball a potential recruit is as important to a Chinese school as it is in a Western outfit.
Best

[Sudz]

Thanks guys.

Surely there must be SOME institutions that requires one to have some respectable university credentials - even though I'm SURE what you guys are saying is largely true.

I'm not so worried about getting paid, as long as it enough to get by and perhaps enjoy myself a little. More concerned about getting some relevant experience in a location that I enjoy.

[Yu]

I have a MA in TESOL.
I chose to work in a Chinese University for 6 years while I was in Shanghai.
I liked the free time I had while working in the university and I had the flexibility to learn Chinese (also taking full time courses in the the uni I worked at) and also was able to supplement my income with higher paying side jobs (IELTS/part-time teaching @ 3-400 per hour).
I believe that these higher paying opportunities came because I had worked at Chinese universities and got to understand this kind of Chinese student. This takes time as well. Six years of teaching experience not inside Chinese is still not experience teaching in China. It also takes time to make the right connections to find higher paying jobs.

I guess my point is that it makes a difference on what the long term plan is. If you are planning to stay in China long term, you might want to consider what job has more prestige in looking to apply up. If you are there for a year or two, then looking for the highest paying job you can get makes sense.

Joint venture schools like the Sino-British in Shanghai /U Nottingham @ Ningbo/Jiaotong Liverpool in Suzhou pay more and are uni jobs. There are others, but these are ones that came to mind.

[Sudz]

Sounds nice Yu. Shanghai does appeal to me (I spent about a week there), as does the free time you mentioned. The weather (well....the COLD weather) might take a bit of getting used to, though a change in seasons might be nice for a while.

I could see myself doing at least a couple of years partaking in something similar to you. Money - though nice - isn't my primary concern as mentioned (at least not yet). If it were, I could continue doing quite well (by esl standards) at my current job in Vietnam - not that I haven't liked it for the most part.

Though I have mentioned that money isn't a primary concern, might I ask how well you were able to live on your earnings?

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Credentials are more and more meaningful in China, especially in the larger cities that are starting to check qualifications. Whether you have a Master degree, Ph.D., etc. are becoming something here. Unless you're teaching in an international school, you'll have to look at larger cities or more 'famous' schools. The pay difference is many thousands of RMB per degree level. If you are something more important, like an M.D. or something, then you can teach other jobs in a professional arena. Multiple degrees, advanced degrees are starting to count for something here. Foreigners who are qualified are beginning to earn more. That's how it is growing to work in China, especially in the larger cities. If you want to exploit a high priced education, you have to do it in a larger (Shanghai, Beijing) area.

[sharpe88]

Yes better credentials means better pay... EXCEPT not so much in the TEFL industry...