Job Discussion Forums

[Sakartvelo]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, and the world of ESL at large, so I hope you'll forgive me if I am asking naive questions or posting this in the wrong place. I am currently traveling in China, but have decided that I would like to try and find some work in the country teaching English. I am a native English speaker (with a British passport), and I have a university degree, so I believe I have the appropriate qualifications for a teaching job in China.

I am, however, approaching teaching in China from what I believe is a rather different perspective than most foreign teachers. For starters, I am already in the country (and have over 5 months experience traveling in China): I don't require an employer to pay flight tickets for me, and I'm also in a position to go and visit a school before agreeing to work for them. Secondly, my primary motivation in wanting a job in China is that I wish to learn Chinese (ie. Mandarin, with the use of simplified characters). This is the main purpose of my search for a job in China, and I would like to have factors that will help me learn Chinese take priority over other things.

I am seeking here mostly general advice on the following points:

1. Tips on locations in the country to work. I am put-off my China's large East Coast cities, and have absolutely no desire to live in places such as Beijing and Shanghai, or even Hangzhou or Ningbo. Ideally, I'd like to be working in a smaller more provincial city inland, preferably somewhere without a large expat community and with some interesting nearby countryside to explore at the weekends. My other main concern is in being in a part of the country where they speak Chinese in a comprehensible fashion. I don't necessarily need to be somewhere where standard Mandarin is the main tongue, but I couldn't live in Sichuan (for example) because of how difficult the accent is even when people there do speak Mandarin. I'd really appreciate anyone who can give me some suggestions on locations in China that would be suitable and enjoyable to live in.

2. Advice on finding work. Most of the job offers on here seem to be for China's major cities. How do I go about finding jobs in smaller places? What are good ways to judge a reliable company? How are companies going to respond when I tell them I'm in China already and am prepared to come and visit them? Am I going to have major problems with visas? What other tips can you give me, given my situation?

Well I hope I've posted this in the right place, and would really appreciate tips from anyone on how to begin my Chinese job search, and how to make that job search as productive as possible.

[Sinobear]

To be legally hired, you also need two years post-graduate teaching experience.

Barring that, there are many agencies and recruiters who can place you in places that you desire although the salary will be minimal.

I would suggest trying Buckland and ask about NW Fujian.

[xiguagua]

If your sole objective is to learn Chinese then I would suggest not teaching English.

If you insist on it then I really doubt you will be willing to travel to each destination to check out the school first, that is time consuming and financially irresponsible. You being in China will make no difference to the schools.

Buckland is a good suggestion since they are reputable and can place you in different parts of China. North is best, some argue that in Heilongjiang they speak better mandarin than Beijingers. Also understand that your desire to be put in more remote parts of China will make you more and more likely to be in places where they speak local dialects rather than mandarin.

[dean_a_jones]

[askiptochina]

[choudoufu]

just a safea guideline. not necessarily a requirement.

some provinces require two years teaching.
some require two years of any employment after graduation.
some don't seem to care.

[Baozi man]

Find a university which has a "Chinese as a second language" program. Enroll, attend.

Alternative: Accept an FT job. Find a uni which teaches Chinese to foreigners. Attend school. Resume teaching after completion of studies.

Loose the "I'm so special" attitude.

[TexasHighway]

Sakarvelo wrote: