Job Discussion Forums

[Britster]

Hi I am a 'Brit' who got offered promotion to 'Engineering Manager - Asia Pacific', based in Hong Kong.

I came out to Hong Kong, just before the 'Hand-over' in 1997. Had to go to Seoul to do an 'equipment upgrade' in 'KEB'. Only there 2-3 days before returning to Hong Kong and stayed for a month getting to know the place and discovering the true 'Cost of Living'.

I accepted the promotion and went back to Hong Kong to work there.

I have over 30 years experience in Electronics equipment troubleshooting and repair, Technical Support, Sales, Marketing. Sales support, Product Manager, and Engineering Manager.

I had been tasked with setting up Asia Region Technical Assistance Center (TAC). However towards the end of 1999 (Asian Financial Crisis), there was a recession in the Telecom Industry, with Share prices collapsing. The American Company we worked for, decided to close the Hong Kong Office, so had no more Asia Pacific presence.

What they should perhaps have done, is to consider closing some USA Offices. Move production to China to reduce costs. Translate their Equipment Manuals so they are written in Chinese, and version of the Network Management System produced in Chinese.

Fantastic Sales Opportunities into China Telecom with the right Chinese partner. A merger with a Chinese company with the contacts into 'China Telecom', having production capability, and willing to inject US$2M, for rights to Chinese Market, would have made that company more competitive, in the rest of the word most likely!

A Chinese Systems Engineer with more experience than Hong Kong counterpart, was on 1/3 his Salary! So Staff costs would be lower also. But they did not do this. and went 'Chapter 11'.

My ex-boss and his ex-boss, got together and formed a start-up company, with office in Hong Kong UK/EMEA and USA. Basically this was 'Outsourcing' - providing Office with staff and communications, Contacts and experience of all Asian Countries for Telcom opportunities.

Our clients were Telecom Companies with complementary Telecom Products, so we could offer everything from Modems to X.25, Frame Relay, DSLAM's, ATM and Broadband Integration Access Device (BIAD).

Sonoma Systems was the company with the BIAD and generating lot of interest throughout Asia for such product. It enabled legacy equipment, without ATM interfaces, to connect to an ATM Network.

NORTEL bought out Sonoma Systems, and our share options got converted to Nortel Stock. These went down like a brick, along with just about every other Telecom Stock.

That is how I came to 'relocate' from Hong Kong, to elsewhere in Asia in May 2001. It needed to be a lot more affordable than Hong Kong, on a 'retainer' of USD1,000pm', plus expenses.

I chose CEBU, Philippines, for several reasons. Having an International Airport being one of them It was also where this Filipina, whom I met in Hong Kong, in November 1998, came from!

1 year later, my divorce having been finalised, I married my Filipina. But my retainer was gone, as that outsourcing company also shut shop, when Broadband Philippines failed to award a Contract to any of the 11 x Bidders (7 of whom had gone with our Clients solution for the in-building distribution of high speed data Services, over the telephone Wiring).

So I was made redundant again.

Rather than return to the UK to seek work, I took early retirement.

Circumstances (bad investments, support of grandchild, increasing debt), Exchange Rates, Cost of Living increases, introduction of VAT, has now forced me to seek work again.

I did seek work as an ESL Teacher. Not easy at age 56, with no previous Teaching experience and no TEFL or TESOL Certificate, let alone CELTA.

I was accepted as a Native English Teacher for a Winter 'English Camp' for mainly Korean Teenage Students, and a few Russians.

After an 'immersion' training and having to do a 'Substitutute' teaching role after the 2nd day, just before Christmas 2011, it was 'baptism by fire' preparation for the Korean Students arriving 2nd January 2012.

8 Classes per day. of 50 minutes, 5 days a week, and getting paid Php30,000 for 1 months work. Did include 3 meals however, but no accommodation, or traveling allowance, to the 'English Camp' at a Hotel on Mactan, Cebu.

So I now have just 5 weeks of ESL Teaching experience but still no TEFL or TESOL Certificate.

This was feedback from one potential employer for Teaching Position in China

[tttompatz]

I realize that your question, after all of your post, was about finding an on-line course.

What I didn't see anywhere in your list of accomplishments was an actual "degree" but you did mention an "equivalent to".

Bottom line: the various "immigration departments" in MOST Asian/East Asian/SE Asian countries (including China) aren't interested in "equivalent to".

In order to obtain the proper "Z" visa (for China) as a teacher you NEED a degree (not an "equivalent to"). Without one you will be likely be working illegally on a "business" visa with regular border runs as needed to maintain your visa and status in China.

Since you won't have a proper visa then a TEFL cert from Photoshop school of TEFL (since you won't need it for immigration) will suffice for an employer who is dodgy enough to take an illegal employee.

The same is true for most other SE Asian countries as well. After 2015 the degree (not an "equivalent to") will be a requirement for ALL countries in ASEAN.

With a 13a you should be able to find work at Bigfoot on Mactan (by the shrine) either directly with them or privately (at the dorms next door). On a 13a you can get around the degree/work visa issue.

To answer your query about TEFL:

ITTT offers a cheap on-line TEFL (under $200).
http://www.teflcourse.net/tefl-courses-locations/philippines/cebu/?gclid=CNidlo_egbECFUp76wodMFT7MQ

If you are still in the RP then Harvest Christian School International (Mabolo Cebu City) offers a TEFL for about $500 (for foreigners) and $250 if you have a 13a.

http://teflphilippines.com/
http://www.teflcorp.com/tefl-philippines-cebu.htm

There are lots of others but the prices range from those 2 listed above at the bottom end of the price scale to about $2000 for the on-line CELTA (practicum still needs to be done on-site).

.

[Four]

No

[Four]

No

[SoulTourist]

I taught at a college in China and there was no uncertainty that a degree was required. The college even asked for our degree verification mid-year. But, as far as a TESOL, TEFl etc., the college reps did not care. It seems they only wish to meet the standards or requirements for the Z-visa and the foreign expert permit. You will need the Z before you go and the school will obtain the permit after you arrive. There seems to be many who try to cut corners on this but it will keep you looking over your shoulder the entire time you are there.

Soul Tourist
Read: Teaching in China - Seven Dog Years