Hi everyone,

so I'm planning to move to Shanghai in early 2008, to teach english. Is it just too early to find winter positions, or, am I missing the TESL boat completely by coming in winter?

My lease (in Canada) isn't up until Dec.07, and I need to work some more to afford this plane ticket, so it's the earliest I can get there.

Am I just looking for work too early, or, is it notoriously harder to find a job after September???

Any info. is appreciated... Im a total rookie (do have BA and TESL/TESOL Certification and speak a little Mandarin though )

Thanks.

You can find a job anytime you come here, especially in a language school. You will probably make less than 12,000 a month, but with no experience that's what you're aiming for anyway.

September starts are only relevant for 'real' schools, and you'll likely be working in a language institute. The money is the same between language institutes and Chinese schools. Better money can be made in International schools, Bilingual schools or private tutoring, but you'll have to work up to that.

Not another bloomin' English teacher Can't we have some Health and Hygiene teachers instead??

You can try for the Spring semester. Starts Feb or March. That's when I came in.

There are tons of schools that hire year round. Check out Web English, English First, and Kai En. They offer good working conditions, decent pay, support, etc.

Oh, and Yorkshire, lay off the English teachers, a lot of us are here giving a valuable service and a decent job of it. I'm getting tired of all the flack that the "real expats" give us.

I wouldn't say a lot give a valuable service and do a decent job - true its supplying the demand. Half of the training centres are clearly just in it for the money and have developed a really shite course not giving a crap about the students. You can't really call them schools though...

Some of the teachers here do give it their all and want to make a difference - I know I did when I was teaching semi-full time. Although had I found a 'normal' job earlier, I wouldn't have been teaching as long as I did. A job that leads no where, but good money!

I taught English when I was a student many many moons ago in Bejing and fcuking hated it to death, but needed to eat so had no choice. If you dig teaching then hats off to you.

China needs educated English teachers that can at least spell. If you are coming over on a tourist or business visa to work then forget about it. The Chinese government is really cracking down on foreigners working illegally in China, especially in Shanghai. Hey, at least you have a BA and TESL/TESOL, many teachers don't. Just make sure the school organises a work visa for you.

Also you have to be careful of your teaching methods over in China. Its more a game of playing the entertainer (in training centres) rather than solid teaching like you'd get back home.

bjandmegsabroad wrote:Oh, and Yorkshire, lay off the English teachers, a lot of us are here giving a valuable service and a decent job of it. I'm getting tired of all the flack that the "real expats" give us.

It wasn't a dig at being an English teacher, just seems that every man and his dog recently on this site is an english teacher, I was asking for health and hygiene tutors for people in F&B, now that would be handy!

It seems the OP would have agreat chance at being a good teacher, at least he has some qualifications and can spell!
Unlike this chap -
http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/index.php? ... sc&start=0

Good arguments on both sides re. the steady influx of ESL Teachers. I've had this conversation with several Chinese and Japanese friends and heard simillar, at times stronger, attitudes towards the issue (especially as pertains to paying back loans). Definitely interesting to hear from the expat community too.

I'm not terribly proud to be teaching English to make my way, but, as thewalrus says: gotta eat. Also, I'm really motivated to continue learning Mandarin, and I think I would make a good job of teaching... after a year or two? Héhe, we'll see!

Anyway, thanks all.
TheGGuy

Hey Grammar Guy - I just got a job at a middle school (after looking for only one week)... like you I have a University degree and a TEFL. I've done a little bit of teaching, but not ESL.

My contract expires Jan 11 and the school has already said they 'hope' I will stay a second semester. Apparently turnover is quite high. I get the impression that there will be 2nd semester jobs available in Jan.

Of course the Language Training Centers hire year round and there are so many of them around.

I think my recruiter did a good job of screening me - she made sure I really did have a clue as to how to prepare a lesson plan and conduct a class before introducing me to the school... so not everyone is just out to make a buck.