Job Discussion Forums

Mariner711 · Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 2

Hello, I am new to teaching ESL. I have a BA and TESOL. I have never been to China. I was thinking of going on a tourist visa first to find a job as opposed to signing up to something I have never seen.

I want to enjoy me experience and signing a contract to a school seems risky.

Can I go to China, find a job, get sponsered than make a visa run to a close country?

Would this be a better way to go? It feels like I would have much more power if I was already on the ground in China and meeting potential employers.

Is this how people find their second job in China?

Any comments would help.

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

Whatever you do will be risky.

If you have plenty of cash and the ability to fly home when you don't find what you are looking for then I suppose there is less risk.

More and more I hear about teachers who are being asked to return home to process their visa when in a situation like this (or even teaching in another country but looking to shift to China). Certainly doesn't mean a HK visa run is not possible, but worth mentioning.

Even getting a tourist visa here is getting more complicated, and I would not advise doing this in Beijing at the moment due to the recent push to expel those who are here working illegally (not saying you are suggesting doing this).

You will probably hear from both sides on this issue, as there are arguments either way. But if you are willing to take this chance I think you should be prepared to search, not find what you want, and return home/go elsewhere to look for other opportunties. You might find your dream job this way, but then again you might not find much. I think if you are here and flexible, you will probably find something.

Also worth noting that if you do find something, be prepared to finance all trips to sort out the working visa yourself. Again, you might get some help or be able to claim it on your flight/travel reimbursement if they are offered, but make sure you have the money in the bank as they are unlikely to pay for this up front (I do get the impression from your post you realise this).

Most second jobs, especially the choice ones, tend to be via word of mouth and taken by those who are already here. Coming over now on a tourist visa with no Chinese experience or connections will probably not help you in terms of getting these jobs (and for public/university jobs, the best for next year have generally already been snapped up by now).

Ultimately my advice is to seek work from abroad, and know what constitutes a good job/school. There is plenty on these forums if you track back regarding what you should be looking out for in terms of contracts, warning signs etc. This is a pretty common question, so the arguements and advice are there waiting to be found. You can get a good job from where you are now if you know what to look for/ask for when dealing with the school. It is hardly foolproof, but safer unless you have the cash to burn in terms of coming here and leaving again.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

I agree with dean. Coming to China on an L visa has always been iffy, and now seems to be a time to exercise extra caution. Besides, what would you expect to happen if you arrive on an L visa? Who will show you around? Do you expect someone to tell you where the jobs are? Do you expect to be greeted with open arms when you call for an interview? The people who man the phones in most Chinese schools don't even speak English. (Try calling the State Agency for Foreign Expert Affairs, aka SAFEA, and see if you can find an English-speaking person on your first ten attempts).

Much of what one must learn about working in China must be learned on his own. Do some homework. Visit as many job forums and as many job websites as you can. Correspond with recruiters. Send your paperwork out to as many recruiters as possible to find out how marketable you are.
You mention no requisite two-year teaching experience. That makes your proposal to come to China to take your pick of schools even riskier. The schools that you may want may not want you.

What do you mean by "get sponsered" [sic]? Do you mean obtain a letter of invitation so that you can secure a Z visa and teach legally in China? In most cases, the Z visa must be secured in one's home country. (Sure, there will always be a way to get one in HK, but judging by what I've heard from folks who have attempted that lately, it has become a bit difficult for some].

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

doogsville · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 924 Location: China

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

The days of coming here on a tourist visa and then flipping your visa to a working visa is disappearing. There is a massive crackdown happening in Beijing and soon nationwide on illegals. If you are in-country without proper residency permits or working illegally and you are caught, might as well say goodbye.

Tons of other countries across the globe that are hiring ESL teachers that not only pay more, but will afford you a better lifestyle, be treated better, cleaner air and food...

China is simply not worth it any longer for many. If I was in your position and starting all over again, China would be on the bottom of my list.

maxand · Joined: 04 Jan 2012 Posts: 318

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

zactherat · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 295

Yeah the biggest risk would be having to go back to your home country to get your work visa - unfortunately you can never be entirely sure whether this would be necessary or not.

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

I wonder how many people would fly to the other end of their own countries in search of a job, not knowing anyone, and knowing nothing about the city. For reasons unknown, many folks think that China is a magical land in which they can get by on their wits alone.

Ain't so.

The Edge · Joined: 04 Sep 2010 Posts: 455 Location: China

The casualty rate amongst first time teachers coming to China and not being able to hack it when things were lax was pretty high.
Now that the economy is shaky, visa loopholes / illegal working are being targeted would make coming to China unprepared is tantamount to lunacy in my opinion.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do though.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

I agree with Dean and all of the others. Find a job from your home country, and do your homework as well as possible regarding the school. You may find lots of bad things said about it, or you might find nothing at all. If something seems fishy, ask about it here. Just like in your home country, you can find work in a great company, or a crappy one. In addition, you will have the added wildcards of language gaps, cultural gaps, and the disorientation of not being in a land of your language. Go for it, but have enough for airfare and more, just in case.

Mariner711 · Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 2

Trebek · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 401 Location: China

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Lots of reasons, some of which are personal. Of course I make no regrets making a family. But I was sucked into coming back in 2009 when I was stable and happy back at home. Nothing I was promised or planned came to fruition and those years could have been spent developing my career at home. My health is not getting any better, my age is not decreasing, and my retirement needs to be addressed.

And a foreigner making a school in China is difficult. Not the least of which is the other few dozen Chinese English teachers around saying that foreigners can't teach English at all.