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Q: How do you get into teaching in China?
The easiest way to stay longer in China may be to take a small teaching job. I imagine people have done this without having a teaching degree.I don't have one and have no real insight into what it takes. I'm a quick learner, I've never worked as a carpenter,electrician, mechanic, airbrush artist,etc, but I pick things up quick and either i do a good job or I don't waste my time.
I have no problem being entertaining and holding attention, qualities i liked in teachers. But how do I learn what is expected,and the curriculum ? I'd want something maybe part time, paid for apartment and flight, visa, would be enough.
13 years 6 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
Google TESL or teach English in China. Youll get a ton of websites, including places to get your certification. You need the certification, no matter what. They're usually 100 - 120 hour courses. There are even some you can take online, or some of the franchise schools offer their own certifications you can take when you arrive. I'm not sure if they are good for just that school, or if they are accredited.
http://www.oxfordseminars.com/esl-country-information/countryataglance.p...
http://www.teflonline.net/index.htm
My niece is going through Buckland International Educational Group, and you can go all over China. She has a 2 year degree, and is working on her BA, but taking a semester off and going with me.
These sites also have ideas of other agencies, and other suggestions for going abroad to work.
http://www.eslcafe.com/
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/tesol/index.pl
http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-chalkboard/
I think for a first timer, going through a reputable agency isn't the worst idea. You just need to do your research. There was a question posted a few days ago that had some info about what to look for... http://answers.echinacities.com/question/13763#answer13836
beaufortninja:
I did the 100 hour course on TEFLonline. If you paid even the slightest bit of attention in grammar class then you can coast through it no problem in a few weeks.
Usually if you teach part-time they won't pay for flight, visa, apartment, etc. Those are mostly only part of full-time contracts. Some private schools (EF, Astons, Buckland, etc) might provide those things for part-time work but be sure to ask when applying. Most places hire part-time teachers pretty easily but they prefer you are TEFL certified. Check out the jobs on here...echinacities. Also, Dave's ESL Cafe is a good place.
Seriously Ted?
U want to come to live in China?
To be an English teacher is easy here in China...
If u really want to come, go to smaller city, easier to get a nice gf...
Good luck...
No degree, no visa. You'll have to come here with savings to sit on while you settle in. Come in on a tourist visa, spend your two months or whatever sussing out shady schools that you know will at least pay you but will lie to the parents about your qualifications.
When the visa is going to expire, go and buy and F, that'll last three months. Then go buy another that'll last six.
I gotta say, I'm not a teacher, but I feel offended FOR teachers when people think they can just swoop in and do the job cause they want to. Alot of the teachers I know have degrees, teaching certificates and tefl. You can't just expect a good job at a decent English school because you speak English, people actually DO have qualifications that they've earned.
TedDBayer:
Sorry I do not mean to offend anyone. Anyone I've ever met that taught English overseas did not have a teaching degree. I'm sure there is a learning curve. Anything I've ever tried I've done well at because I desire to do so.
You might be able to find a Registered Training Organisation in your country that offer an internship in China. These are great because: you get a two way flight ticket, accomadation, meals, a monthly stipend and you get the teaching hours required to get your TESOL. Also the contract is usually only for 3 maybe 4 months which gives you an idea what it is like to live in China. Let's face it 3 months is an easy gig to do. Signing a contract for 12 months is another can of worms!!
Please don't get a teaching job if you don't know how to teach. I've seen white folks get jobs fresh off the plane and bumble around the classroom and the students learn absolutely nothing. Teachers who don't know how to teach are an embarrassment. Take a decent teaching certification course before you teach. I'm begging you. I'm putting some links to my blog that might be of some use.
Is everyone on crack? It is so easy to get a teaching job here. Some schools are strict, yes, but most will just give you a job if you are from an English speaking country, and some will even give you one if you are not from an English speaking country. No wonder no one can speak correctly even after studying for years (I find it interesting how Chinese can not learn something on their own. I basically learned Chinese on my own, and I even translate.).
If you're teaching children, all you have to do is get their attention and keep them busy so that they don't go home and tell their parents that they are bored in class.
I just got offered a job at a university part-time. They didn't even ask to see my resume, passport, or anything else. All they know is that I am American.
As far as the one-on-one teaching goes, you can do that, but they will need to know your age and you need to send them a picture, so that you can advertise. It all has to do with your looks. You are just a novelty in China (and it will probably be this way forever). So sad. The children will just point at you and say, "it's a foreigner". Good lord, these people are still in the stone ages. But if a white person did something like that in states, people would make such a big deal about it. So when us white peole go home, let's point at Asian people and say, "hey it's a Chinaman". But we won't do that, because we have more courtesy and manners
Anyway, getting off track.
Furtherfore, teaching abroad will not do you any good if you decide to return home someday.
...and some friends always ask me, "why don't you just get a teaching job". and they wonder why. I won't even do it, even if I am struggling to pay the rent
