Job Discussion Forums

[Stumigoo]

No doubt in the time all of these forums have been running, this is probably the latest in a long running series of 'where is the best place, what are the things I sould look for...' type postings, but here goes, as I do actually need some help!

I have been teaching for 3 years in Scotland in the Secondary sector (Religious Education, Philosophy, Psychology). I have now become so tired of teaching in Scotland and I need a break, soon. I have applied for a number of posts at various international schools over the past couple of years but with little luck, as the market is very tough and my subjects 'do not travel well', so I am looking at teaching English in China, and hopefully within the next 8-10 weeks. This schedule might be too tight, I don't know, but I really want to make a move and get out of the country to experience new things. I know I won't be teaching my subjects, and I know that I will have to take a hit on my salary, but I am very unhappy in my job and I am very keen to do this.

I do not have a TEFL/CELTA qualification but I do have my Undergraduate degree, Postgraduate degree and three years teaching behind me. I would hope this would secure me a position.

I don't really know where to start, but I do know that I would want to work in or around Shanghai (my brother has worked there and recommends it), and that I want to do this soon.

Can anyone recommend some starter information, give any advice or possibly encourage/put me off this huge change that I am looking to make? Anything would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Religious Education, Philosophy, Psychology are just about at the bottom of the list of subjects the authorities want us to teach here.

If you are interested in teaching these subjects, I'd look elsewhere.

[SahanRiddhi]

I'd stay away from Shanghai. Too much competition, employers rarely provide housing, everybody (foreign and Chinese alike) is trying to look down on everybody else based on how much money they have. I'd go to a second-tier or third-tier city where they set everything up for you (housing and so on).

[Stumigoo]

As I said in my opening post, I understand my subjects are not in high demand, so I do want to look at other aspects of teaching, and teaching English is obviously one of those. As for the Shanghai thing this was just a preference, I am very keen to do this so will look at the other cities within China.

[doogsville]

I don't want to put you off, coming to China was one of the best decisions I ever made, but there are a couple of things in your post that worry me. Having said that, a short post to a TEFL forum cannot convey the huge complexity of someone�s life, so apologies if I'm reading things into it. You talk about 'needing a break'. Don't come to China to teach if you need a break from the stresses of teaching. I say that because the 'style' of teaching over here can be just as stressful as it is in Scotland. I taught for ten years in Scotland, I know the score, but being an English teacher over here, even part time, can be just as stressful but for different reasons.

Don't come to China if you need a break from the stress of your life back home, your life in China will be even more stressful at times, again, for totally different reasons. There are already more than enough foreigners here 'hiding' from the harsh reality of their lives back home.

Do come to China if you have thoroughly researched the situation here and have a hankering to experience a very alien and challenging culture, where you won't be able to do the simplest of things you take for granted at home, due to the language barrier. Something as simple as putting credit in your phone or buying lunch can be incredibly difficult over here until you learn a little Chinese of make some Chinese speaking friends.

China is huge, and the culture and climate are very varied. Coming to Shanghai because your brother had a good time there is one of the things that worries me about your post. Your talking about giving up your life back home to start afresh in a foreign country, surely it warrants a bit more research and forethought that your brothers recommendations? I don't want to put you off, really, but I think you should give it some more thought and then come over.

[Simon in Suzhou]

[TexasHighway]

Well, I have never even been to Scotland but I have taught in the U.S. and worked other careers there as well. I have to say that teaching in China is the least stressful job I have ever had. I teach at a university with low teaching, no office hours, long paid vacations, and plenty of time off to do my own thing. Living in China can certainly be stressful; it's what you make of it. If you want to get away from all, Shanghai is not the best place. There are a quarter of a million other foreigners living there and ESL teachers are at the bottom of the food chain. Most universities start their spring semester in mid-February and we are approaching Chinese New Years soon so it may be to late to line something up so quickly. March and April would be the big hiring season for the fall semester. My advice would be to give yourself some time and consider lining up a position next fall. You might get lucky and even be able to land a well-paying job at an international school by that time.

[doogsville]

[Stumigoo]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, any advice, positive or negative is useful to me at this stage.

Maybe if I worded my situation and career goals slightly differently it may give you a better idea of my needs.

I have decided that as a 28 year old single male with no financial worries/debt or mortgage and with no children to look after that I want to use my qualifications to explore new avenues within my career. I have taught in Scotland for nearly three years and before that I was in retail management in Scotland for several years. I have an Undergraduate degree in Psychology and a PGDE for Secondary Teaching. I want a CAREER outwith Scotland and I want to chance to use the skills I have worked incredibly hard at developing, to explore new avenues and experience new things, while potenitally making a career out of teaching Enlgish overseas or at least teaching overseas.

This is not a 'break' for me, but something I want as a 'next stage' in my career. I want to use my skills in places other than Scotland, and I am in a position to relocate.

Am I too niave to think you can make a viable career out of this? With the skills I have and the hard work I put into my job, is it unreasonable to think that with grafting and a bit of networking I can work my way through positions to be in a position to be earning a comfortable wage? I don't want to be selling myself short but woould working for 12,000RMB a month, without housing be doing that?

[steve b]

Depends on the location and more specifically, the local cost of living.

[DosEquisX]

I agree with what a previous poster said. Think it through and expand your selection of cities beyond Shanghai. You can always visit Shanghai for vacation. Live somewhere else.

There's not stress teaching in China (at least for me). Rather, it's the stress of living in a VERY different country from your own with almost no knowledge of the culture and language. Chinese friends can ease your burden, but in the end you're alone. Can you handle the moments of uneasiness and frustration when you're friends aren't a phone call away from helping you? Can you handle being completely lost in an enormous city without a soul around you who can guide you in English? Can you accept the countless stares and endless amounts of awkward attention you will receive?

I admit that I mostly came here on a whim. I was considering going back to ROK, but changed my mind and picked up what was one of the first few offers made to me. For me, China is far better than ROK. Then again, I'm in my mid 20's and have no personal attachments to my home aside from family and student loans.

[Sinobear]

I'm with Doogsville on this one.

China is NOT the place for a career change...retirement, mid-degree experience or just plain old survival, sure.

I have not met a single person whose career, whether a teacher, administrator, or entrepreneur, has improved measurably or marketably (save for Langoutou - whom I have not met)...in 13 years here.

As Doogsville stated, China will NOT fix anything wrong in your life...it will not fill any holes, it will NOT open any new doors. You may "find" yourself here, but any long-term time investment here will counter-act that.

Having said all this, please feel free to continue reading the advice from the "5 Kuai Noodle Gang" who will try and convince you (for their own vindication) that what they believe in is right and just.

Really, I see nothing but long-term disappointment for you if you are choosing to come to China for the reasons that you have stated.

[therock]

You might need to get a TEFL / CELTA to have a shot at the higher paid jobs even though you have a PGDE and are a qualified teacher. My friend has a Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE / PGCE or Bachelor of Education equivalent), one of her teaching methods is ESL but she got rejected from Wall Street and a few other higher paid jobs because she didn't have the two years experience and the TEFL certificate. Needless to say, she has since decided to give up on teaching in China and has accepted a job in Korea.

China is not the place for qualified teachers.

[Stumigoo]

So would it be safe to say that the general feeling is that unless I was to get a position at a 'respected' International School that follows the UK curriculum and pays accordingly, that I would be in a sense wasting my time?

I have a job in Scotland, I am unhappy in the post but I do understand that I cannot simply give this up if there is not a position that would be a viable long-term solution.

Many people do ESL/TEFL teaching before their teaching career and I understand that doing 'the opposite' must seem strange but I am simply trying to explore avenues available to me with the training, qualifications and experience that I have.

I would however like to say that teaching overseas is a serious thing for me, and I am not 'running away' or leaving on a whim. I have lived and taught in Scotland for my whole life and it is time to experience new things.

[Opiate]