Job Discussion Forums

[dog8food]

Still searching for my first China gig. My biggest fear thus far is ending up at school that doesn't treat foreign teachers well. I'd like to look into some schools that some of you recommend. Post here or PM me if you're willing.
Thanks.

[Denim-Maniac]

Might help if you post some personal info regarding age/qualifications/experience/preferences. People are more likely to recommend somewhere if they know more about you.

Im happy at my place, but it might not be suitable according to experience, qualifications, salary requirements etc etc

[rogerwilco]

It might seem harsh, but I would never recommend a person that I do not personally know to my school or any other school.

Why ? Because any poor behaviour by a recommended person will be associated with me and possibly blamed on me.

Chinese seem to always generalize us, and there is a lot of assumed guilt by association, so if I recommend a person that turns out to be a violent, drunken womanizer (for example), then it will be assumed by many that I am the same.

[peewee1979]

[kev7161]

[zootown]

Just wondering going the other way what people think when the school asks you to give a reference for the school to potential FT.

Me I am reluctant to get involved.Don't really want to get caught up in it if it doesn't work out for both parties.

[dog8food]

I understand the potential hazards of recommending someone at the risk of "losing face." I'm not seeking any personal recommendations, just school reputations. I'd deal with the FAO or recruiter on my own.

Thanks all for your help :^)

[roadwalker]

Aren't you the one who's looking for a "short-term gig"? If those of us with some experience have some schools that treated us decently in mind, why would we want to share that information with someone who is only planning a few months' stay? If the school plays by the rules, it costs them in resources, time and money to acquire the services of a foreign teacher. Of course life intervenes and sometimes even well-intentioned teachers need to leave early. But frankly, I wouldn't recommend someone to a public school who was planning to leave just when the school year was getting started, nor would I recommend that school to such a person to contact on his/her own.

If you are only planning to work a short time, I would advise working for a language mill or a summer camp program, as long as it is clear about the short-term nature of your work. Most schools will treat you okay, particularly if you are qualified. For a few months, you ought to just try your luck. Just make sure you have funds to get back home if things go south.

[dog8food]

[GHammer]

Honestly,

I've played both sides of the fence on this one. In the past, I've needlessly worried and lost sleep over recommending people I didn't know, only to have them be up-standing, honest people and solid teachers, and then I've been extremely confident of hiring people I had previously worked with, knew personally and liked (only to have them turn down the job or not get hired after the interview and/or demonstration lesson).

At the moment, I'm in charge of trying to "recruit" Native English-speaking foreign teachers to come to our school in Guangdong (which is an International school and currently expanding the number of English classes we offer our student body). We're basically expanding OUTSIDE our International Section to include the larger "Main School" campus. With that in mind, I'm NOT a recruiter (although I sometimes feel like one).

My boss wants me to "recommend" people, so I collect the resume / personal / professional / general information, and pass it on to my boss if it seems like a worthwhile lead. I do that with the understanding that my boss knows whether I personally KNOW / RECOMMEND the individual or not, and with the understanding that I will be on the interview / observation panel and have a direct voice in whether or not they decide to offer the job to that specific individual teacher.

This process gets me "off of the hook" in almost all cases because --ultimately-- the SCHOOL makes the FINAL DECISION to hire and offer a contract. I don't make the final decision; I simply make a recommendation based upon my own teaching, training, and mentoring qualifications, my own experiences and my job duties (past and present).

I'm currently the only Native English speaker at our school (and I teach with a group of 12 other teachers from China, India, Malaysia and the Philippines). I'm a kind of go-between. I just give my opinion (verbally and in writing) one way or the other. Luckily, I work with a solid teaching team and a group of administrators who value direct in-put and honest advice and expertise (whether they follow it or not).

Having said that, I know I have already PM'd dog8food and a few other members here at Dave's, but if anyone else is looking for a good job and doesn't mind teaching in Dongguan, then feel free to PM me for more details. The contracts are generally one year and the students in our International Section range from 11 to 20 years old. Actual in-class teaching hours average 20 per week.

In all seriousness, this is the job I had hoped I would have when I first came to China over two years ago! I loved living in Yangshuo for 14 months during my second job, but the job, low-salary, continuous visa runs to H.K. and winters were hell (although the city and surrounding scenery was wonderful). My first job in China was in Guangdong at a English Language Training Centre, and I will never teach for another one. (Never say, "NEVER!").

YES! ... Dongguan is dirty and has a bad reputation among many FTs, but I actually like it in DG strictly because of the job and the freedom that that job allows me. Traveling from DG by bus, train or plane is easy and convenient, and traveling to other parts of Guangdong as well as to other provinces in China and other countries in Southeast Asia is not at all difficult. There's also a lot to be said for the level of respect and satisfaction you can receive when you work for a good school and for a good administrative and teaching team.

It's taken me two years to get this job and I can finally save some money and live fairly comfortably. There are many perks, although it's still hard work and it's still China! The students are varying degrees of motivated (or not), disciplined, (or not) ... lazy (or not), serious (or not) ... the teachers are varying degrees of qualified (or not).

Anyone who's interested, please feel free to PM me for more details.

Sincerely, --G

[Non Sequitur]

'Having said that, I know I have already PM'd dog8food'
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