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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Can I get a decent English teaching job in Shanghai?
I am a 21 year old US citizen, I have a TESOL certification from a great program in NYC and I am fluent in English. I have some teaching experience as well.
However, I do not have a bachelors degree. I attend a really good school here in the US but I want to take a gap year to teach English in China, preferably Shanghai because I have been there before. I have an impressive CV/resume and can get really good references only if it helps.
Does anybody think my age will be a problem? Will not having a bachelors degree be a problem? What schools or companies should I be looking at? What type of pay can I expect? Any advice?
Answers to any of my questions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
10 years 3 weeks ago in Business & Jobs - Shanghai
you are probably aware of the minimum requirements for teaching in China, however, many employers here don't always adhere to them.
I would suggest you keep applying to as many schools as you can: you will be sure to find one willing to employ you, especially if you look the part (ie the Chinese version of a stereotypical foreigner)
Be careful to accept only if a 'Z' visa is on offer so you are legal: i've said it before and i'll say it again, if you are not legal you leave yourself open to being ****ed over.
to some employers references mean squat.
good luck
Getting a decent job wont be a problem. But getting a visa will. The rules are always changing but last I heard is 24 years old with 2 years work experience.
But if its really what you want then its easily doable. Many people here come on illegal visas and then figure it out after. Some never figure it out and for years work illegally.
My suggestion is to really think. Is this really just a gap year? Is there any chance I will stay? If it truly is just for one year and then your screwing off, then go for it. First year you can make it work with minimal difficulties. People generally find the visa issue problematic after theyve been here a while and are situated here. Thats not a concern for you. Hell even if you were caught and deported ( you wont be deported). Oh well, try again in a few years.
But you should also think long term. What if you love it here? What if you find an amazing girl? What if there are opportunities that would make you stay?
If any of those are possible then you really should try to get the proper visas.
If you go that route, shanghai wont be easy as larger cities have more strict visa policies. But smaller cities further inland should be able to swing something.
"Decent" job?
Possibly, if you're lucky!
"Any" job? Very easy!
Someone will probably just do you up a dodgey degree, and submit that. They don't check that sort of thing here.
Age won't really be a problem, cos no-one's going to bother counting. (besides, 3-year bachelor degrees are common).
You should be able to easily get a job in a kindy... and also in private training schools! Less likely in a real university.