Couple looking to teach english help :)

Couple looking to teach english help :)
Dec 9, 2008 13:49
CANADA24 Points: Join Date: Dec 9, 2008 Status: offline	So here is my issue everyone. I (24 year old male) as well as my girlfriend (she's 23) have always wanted to teach english overseas and for both of us the time is finally right. Problem is, I only have a college diploma which is not a 3-4 years degree and my girlfriend was a Major in Art at Uni for 2 years but decided to leave feeling art was more of a hobby than a career. either way we're below the normal qualifications for teaching english as a second language. We have signed up for a 100 hour TESOL course. and will be done feb 1st. She has had many years babysittig, and worked at a daycare for a bit as well. I have done some peer tutoring in highschool and of course have babysat kids on occasion as well. Do you think that our qualifications are enough to land us teaching jobs in China? It doesn't necessarily have to be at the same school as long as they are close to eachother. tho if it was the same school they would save on having to pay for 2 apartments. I was considering the fact that if only 1 of us got a job the other could find work while there. but i have now read you can't transfer a travel visa to a work visa while you're in China. so that idea is gone. So mainly what do you think our chances are? Amazing pay isn't important, but at the same time we don't want to worry about living or eating. If you have any tips, links or anything that would help us that would be much appreciated. - David

Dec 9, 2008 13:49

CANADA24
Points:
Join Date: Dec 9, 2008
Status: offline

So here is my issue everyone. I (24 year old male) as well as my girlfriend (she's 23) have always wanted to teach english overseas and for both of us the time is finally right.

Problem is, I only have a college diploma which is not a 3-4 years degree and my girlfriend was a Major in Art at Uni for 2 years but decided to leave feeling art was more of a hobby than a career. either way we're below the normal qualifications for teaching english as a second language.

We have signed up for a 100 hour TESOL course. and will be done feb 1st.
She has had many years babysittig, and worked at a daycare for a bit as well. I have done some peer tutoring in highschool and of course have babysat kids on occasion as well.

Do you think that our qualifications are enough to land us teaching jobs in China? It doesn't necessarily have to be at the same school as long as they are close to eachother. tho if it was the same school they would save on having to pay for 2 apartments.

I was considering the fact that if only 1 of us got a job the other could find work while there. but i have now read you can't transfer a travel visa to a work visa while you're in China. so that idea is gone.

So mainly what do you think our chances are? Amazing pay isn't important, but at the same time we don't want to worry about living or eating.

If you have any tips, links or anything that would help us that would be much appreciated.

- David

Dec 10, 2008 17:22

GAFFER
Points:
Join Date: May 22, 2008
Status: Offline

I understand that the Chinese government is tightening up on the requirement for qualifications before granting visas for teachers. This means they want to see degrees. However, there is still a great demand for native English teachers. Private schools are more likely to accept lower qualified staff, but at a lower salary. The higher status the establishment is the higher qualification required. This would mean a degree, TEFL/TESOL certificate AND two years teaching experience. Having said that, when pushed to fill vacancies, rules can and will be "adjusted".

Beware of agencies who are more interested in commission than good placements. Check contracts very carefully, the Chinese language version you sign may not be quite the same as the English translation, i.e. working conditions, hours etc. Free accommodation is usually provided, often shared. Return flights are usually provided IF the full contract is completed. Medical insurance can be vague. The weather in China can be quite extreme. Winter in Harbin in the north is often around -30C. Summer in the south is hot and humid. Winter in the south is cool and heating in apartments is not common. Choose where you will be comfortable, There are some stories about badly managed schools. Try and find out from the various forums if anyone has experience of a particular school you may be interested in.

There are several places to find vacancies here are a couple of examples: Good luck!
http://www.seriousteachers.com/
http://www.eslcafe.com/

Dec 12, 2008 10:43

APAULT
Points:
Join Date: Mar 11, 2006
Status: Offline

If you read through relevant threads in this forum you will find quite a bit of advice so I were. but i have now read you can't transfer a travel visa to a work visa while you're in China. so that idea is igone.

This is true but you can either work informally on an L visa (not uncommon), work illegally on an F visa (still illegal but quite common) or you canexit the mainland, often to Hong Kong and get a Z visa (as I did on one occasion).

Dec 13, 2008 21:41	#3
GUEST76212	Apault, could you please be so kind to explane L, F, Z visa to us? and welcome you all to Lijiang, one of the most beautiful city in the world.

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