I'm a middle aged teacher and my husband wants me(us) to go teach English to adults in China~anyone doing this that can tell me what it's like? Pitfalls and high points?
2007-04-29 14:58:25 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ China
Please ignore CRACK!, I feel sorry for him that he is so unhappy in China, and I promise you it is nothing like what he says. Perhaps he was having a bad day.
My wife and I have been teaching at a college in the Henan Province for almost two years now, and we are having a great experience. China is like that. Your experiences will be what you make them.
The typical contract includes accomadations complete with AC/ heating, private bathroom with hot water (should be 24/7), and a small kitchen. Some places even include a computer, but internet access is always available, even if you have to pay for it. Couples are always welcome, and you might even get a nicer flat, since the school only has to provide one accomadation, and gets two teachers.
The students will be excitied to have a foreign teachers, and most schools leave the curriculum entiriely up to you. They may or may not supply you with a textbook to use, and you will probably teach Oral English, but possibly pronunciation, American/British culture, extensive reading. But again, you will mostly be left to your own ideas and lesson plans.
The school should also reimburse you a round trip air ticket for each yearly contract. One way for half year contract. Salary ranges from 3000-5000Yuan (RMB) per month in most parts of the mainland, except for Beijing and Shanghai where you will get more, but the cost of living is higher. You should also get a yearly travel bonus of 2200Yuan (RMB).
If you really want to experience the Chinese culture, I highly recommend a smaller city. The school leaders will occasionally take you out for nice meals, and the students will include you in activities held by the school. You will be welcome, appreciated, and you can even volunteer to do extra activites or elective classes if you want.
Regarding Pitfalls...... Well..... The same would apply to any new country that you are going to live in. China is very different from western countries, and you will need to understand some of the customs unique to chinese culture. As with any new country, you will need to make compromises, and people have different experiences based out how much they are willing to understand and compromise. Yes, people in China spit on the streets, butt in line, and will do all sorts of things your not used to, but thats what makes it different, and interesting. You may also need to adopt a unique approach when dealing with your school or employer, as the schools here are a business, and business is handled a bit differently here as it is in Western countries. But, overall, the schools should make things easy and comfortable for you.
I hope this has helped, and I'm sure you will have a lot more questions as you make your plans, so don't be afraid to send me an email. I'd be glad to continue helping in any way that I can. I might even be able to find you a few good contacts.
2007-04-29 23:25:57 · answer #1 · answered by Havok 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most schools insist you have a Degree and many also insist you have a TEFL certificate too so that you have at least a little training in teaching. To work legally in China you need a Z visa. This can only be obtained by presenting a letter of invitation from an employer to a Chinese Embassy outside of China. Many schools ask you to enter on an L ( tourist ) visa and can then convert this to a Z visa locally. But please remember that it is illegal to work with just an F visa and you WILL be deported if you are caught. Private teaching is more lucrative but how do you get a Z visa if you have no employer?.... You cannot ! Google " Teaching in China " for more info. Life in China is VERY different to the West. Very few people stay for longer than their contract time. If you haven't been to Asia before I wouldn't recommend it. Try Thailand its MUCH easier. If you decide to go to China DO NOT work in the countryside stick to the cities. The countryside is VERY difficult to work in for many. Medievil is the word I would use. Be very carefull about the people you work for. Their are MANY MANY con artists and scammers in China. Also take any contract that you are offered with a HUGE pinch of salt. Many employers simply do not honour them. The Teaching websites are full of horror stories of non payments, extra hours, unpaid air fares and generally bad treatment of Foreign teachers. You should be provided with FREE accommodation and a return airfare for a 12 month contract, single airfare for a 6 month contract.( thats the law ) But do NOT imagine that your accommodation will be up to Western standards. Most is not. If you are offered work ask to SPEAK to one of the Foreign teachers there before you accept it. If they refuse to let you DONT go there. As for money do not work for less than 5000rmb for 16 - 20 hours. If you do you are being ripped off. Schools make many many thousands of rmb from charging their students for being taught by a foreign teachers. ( We worked it out once and the school that myself and another FT were working in made about 500,000 rmb per term and the students had been given the impression they we got ALL of that ) ! Do not believe the Chinese posters that make out that China is " heaven on Earth " it is not. They will only tell you what they think will give a good impression of their country. The reality is very different. It really is a mine field. Please be very very carefull. Good luck !
2016-05-17 05:38:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is what I know after teaching a few years in China...
DON'T BELIEVE OR USE JOB RECRUITERS
Btw... The visa scam is probably the BIGGEST single problem that every China foreign ESL & TEFL teacher has and it is one that is not hopeless thanks to a new labor law passed in 2013. You can legally cancel a contract in China IF one of 12 things happened. See this links for details... http://www.bjstuff.com/profiles/blogs/cf...
There are over 30 scams in China that target new foreign teachers that don';t know the ropes yet. This one here is typical: http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2014/0...
To learn them all visit http://www.ChinaScamBusters. To avoid them use a China blacklist that you can find here:http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=617...
2014-09-23 14:05:03 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bookgirl - I have been teaching in China since 1997, I have taught 5yrs. olds to 55 year olds, I am managing English teachers now, you should send me an email, I can fill you in on the details, but here are a few, visa problems, cultural problems, language barriers, high points you will make some great friends, see great sights, taste great food
2007-04-30 02:55:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well goodluck and Welcome if you are decided to..
Ive been teaching here in China for more than two years. I suppose that you and your loving husband is much more welcome here in this place coz you are a native speakers. Ive been here and the salary is quite enough coz the cost of living is too low. Culture is quite different specially with food and their characteristics. But i have met a lot of nativespeakers and they do love staying here.
Teaching with these chinese kids are much more good if you wanted to be much less stress ( if you love kids))but if you will be teaching for adults coz muchmore money but a little ressure i think..
Goodluck and Godbless
2007-04-29 16:38:35 · answer #5 · answered by Emmanuel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did it a couple of times. Pay is not great but the students are. I found a place with www.itsaboutchina.com they have links for education. I taught in Yangshuo.
2007-04-30 09:17:23 · answer #6 · answered by realfind2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
.....visa problems, unscrupulous school owners, language barriers , chinese customs, no labour laws or rights to speak of, they like to " fine " you if you are sick or miss work for some reason.....lack of air conditioning in summer and heating in winter.... lousy pay...it is great!!!!!!!...oh yeah ...don't forget to report to the police for your residence certificate - one guy i met was fined 5000rmb for not doing so ...hard to buy foreign currency...everyone tries to rip you off....watch your wallet and dodge all the spit on the street at the same time....the good thing is people are friendly and it is a safe place ( except for theft ) ....lots of great sights and very cheap
2007-04-29 18:22:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the classroom is very noisy , most students won't hear what you say , and they are unwilling to make statements in the classroom , they just like chatting to each other or sending short messages to their lovers by cellphone
2007-04-29 16:30:27 · answer #8 · answered by toassassinatechairmanmao 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋