Job Discussion Forums

[Jeremycraig]

I was hoping to get some counsel in what I need to be thinking about while I approach pursuing teaching overseas. A little about myself- I have been to China on 3 different occasions while attending school. I would like to move to the Yunnan province, though am not hung up on that. I will have a Bachelor's degree in August, and hope to obtain a credible TESOL certificate soon afterwards. I am a white guy, 35 years old, married, and with a 4 year old.

A few questions- Is there any alternative to the CELTA which is still reputable and can be done in a one month intensive setting? What is the likely hood of being hired at a University? I am thinking that a University might be less risky than some school I know little about, and have appreciated the university environment; not close minded to other options. How much money do I realistically need to be prepared to take, as in start up cost(s)? Will I have problems obtaining a visa for my wife and child?

What else should I be considering? I appreciate your help, and plan on staying engaged with this forum.

[Xie Lin]

I'm going to suggest that you post this on the China forum below since several of your questions are China-specific. As for the cert course, the one month intensive is the most common schedule. CELTA, Trinity, and SIT are all offeredj as a one month course, and all are reputable, dependable courses.

To assess other TEFL courses ("CELTA equivalents"), look the website over with a critical eye. Check for 120 or more hours with a minimum of 6 hours of observed teaching practice with real students, not fellow trainees. Be sure to note the number of contact hours--I've noticed a number of courses calling themselves 120 or 140-hour courses, but they are including homework, individual study, and so forth in their count. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples.

Solid courses will provide info about course content--detailed information, not just dreamy generalizations. Look for a course schedule and syllabus, information about the input sessions and teaching practice, ratio of trainers to trainees, number of trainees. One to six is a good trainer to trainee ratio. Next look for information about the trainers. Again, you want solid, specific info about qualifications, not just general claims such as, "All of our trainers are well-qualified." Serious programs will give you names of trainers and details of their experience and qualifications. I like to find this on the website, but if not, you should be able to get it by requesting it.

Eliminate from consideration programs that offer you, "TRAVEL! ADVENTURE! A WAY TO SEE EXOTIC PLACES!". Website with pictures of palm trees and beaches? Keep looking. Promises or guarantees of employment are another red flag.

Contact the course provider with specific questions. Assess their responses--are they just marketing the course, glossing over your concerns, and pushing you to sign on, or are they taking your questions seriously and trying to give you genuine information?

.

[Denim-Maniac]

Xie Lin is quite accurate in describing what a reputable course should be. However, taking what you would learn and applying it to a Chinese university .... well, learning to teach skills lessons to small classes of adults isnt likely to be what you would encounter in a Chinese university. You'll be more likely to have classes of 30, 40, 50 or more students, who are hardly likely to be 'adult'. Dont get me wrong, training is never a bad thing, but a lot of what you'll learn wont be directly relevant or transferrable to a university setting. It is a conundrum I think....and although I always support training, I dont always see the point of spending money and time to learn something, and then apply for a job where you are not too likely to be able to use the skills you have studied.

So I guess Im saying its OK to consider things outside of the uni sector too!.

Yunnan province is quite desirable. But salaries are likely to be somewhere between 3500 - 4500 RMB. Not too sure how raising a family and supporting a wife works on that kind of package. What about schooling for your child? That will also cost ... would you really want to put your child into a local Chinese school without language skills? I wouldnt worry too much about the visa at the stage, but I would concern myself with how I can raise my family and how my child is likely to cope and be educated.

[Jeremycraig]

Thanks for sinking a few minutes into my question(s). As far as the University interest- I have thought that such an environment would be safer. Firstly in the sense of environment and having my family around near by if needed (presuming I could get an apartment that was provided by the school, and of course that it was large enough- a different question in itself). In addition I have presumed that universities would be more of a safer bet when negotiating contracts or entertaining offers. I am very concerned about knowing how to determine what is a good school, and then from there how to approach them. Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

In regards to my family- My wife plans on home schooling, we have only one small child and it is something we would do here in the states if we stayed. Educational needs then are not so much an issue.

As far as salary, there are a few people stateside that might like to help us for a few years. At the same time I am not hung up on the Yunnan area, and if it might be better that I look elsewhere then I would like to know that.

Incidentally, what should I expect as far as start up cost? As in to obtain a decent apartment (like 1200 plus sq. ft in a safe area) and establishing things in general?

What else should I be considering?

[Denim-Maniac]

I'll reply in your thread on the Chinese forum, likely to get more response there. But ....

As far as salary, there are a few people stateside that might like to help us for a few years.

This does concern me a little ... I have met a few American teachers in China that benefit from some financial help from their church. Please tell me you aren't coming as a missionary / teacher.