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newtoefl2011
Joined: 17 May 2011
Posts: 29
Location: UK
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 Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:25 am Post subject: Reputable TEFL recruitment agencies for China? |
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My girlfriend and I are a British couple in our twenties. We've recently completed TEFL courses and are hoping to teach in China from September.
We've contacted a couple of agencies, but they seem to have bad reviews on the forums here on Dave's ESL Cafe.
We've been told by friends of ours who are teaching abroad that an agency which tries to charge the teacher rather than the school is likely to be a scam, but we're having no luck finding reputable agencies which don't charge the teacher. Reading the website of one (www.jimmychina.co.uk) which has been recommended to us by an EFL teacher working in China currently, they charge "half of your first four months salary" after finding you a placement- that's two whole months' pay!
Is it really a choice between going through a disreputable agency or using a legit one which costs an arm and a leg?
If not, can anyone recommend an agency for us? |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:47 am Post subject: |
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Google "SAFEA"
Do NOT pay a recruiter or an agency.
READ the China forums.
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GuestBob
Joined: 18 Jun 2011
Posts: 270
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| Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: Reputable TEFL recruitment agencies for China? |
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| newtoefl2011 wrote: |
| If not, can anyone recommend an agency for us? |
Seconding "read the China forums". The general advice there is to deal directly wherever possible - if you are new to EFL and China my advice is that you should begin with public Universities as these are the most secure option and least likely to stiff you.
Don't just look on Dave's either - you are behind the recruiting cycle curve and may need to use your initiative to find a place. Anyways, if you want anything more specific, post a thread in the China forums (read them first though, there are far too many "Z visas and Pole Cats? Questonspleasehelp" threads already) or post up a random e-mail address and I will help (I am also in the UK). |
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newtoefl2011
Joined: 17 May 2011
Posts: 29
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies guys. Having re-read my initial posting, I relaise I forgot to add one major issue. Neither myself nor my partner have degrees.
We are constantly told by teaching friends of ours how a degree isn't necessarily required to teach in China, but finding an organisation willing to deal with us if we don't have a degree is proving very hard. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:03 am Post subject: |
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| newtoefl2011 wrote: |
Thanks for the replies guys. Having re-read my initial posting, I relaise I forgot to add one major issue. Neither myself nor my partner have degrees.
We are constantly told by teaching friends of ours how a degree isn't necessarily required to teach in China, but finding an organization willing to deal with us if we don't have a degree is proving very hard. |
In a word, "language academies".
You're going to be working with little kids (k-6).
Language academies that focus on kids NEED a Caucasian face to sell to the moms and will often overlook your lack of a degree. Start looking at every website you can find.
A degree IS necessary for LEGAL work with the qualifying statement that schools or academies that are well connected or have money can find ways around that problem (incorrect visas, false/fake documents and/or bribes).
CAVEAT EMPTOR
or get a TEFL cert and head for Spain where you (as UK citizens) don't need a degree and won't have visa issues.
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