ESL Jobs Forum

[noniem]

I'm wondering do any schools hire if you don't have experience, many say experience isn't necessary but is an advantage... how do we newbies get experience if we are not given the chance???

Also, I am only available from January until June and a lot of Chinese schools are on a break from January until mid February/March period...

Anyone know of any schools that hire for this period alone? thanks

[ICAL_Pete]

A lot of schools hire new teachers; it certainly isn't a problem to find work if you're qualified but without experience.

However, it's unlikely to find work for just a few months. Most contracts are 1 year minimum.
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[koldijk]

The issue that the OP is raising is really the following:
Work Visas are typically issued for a minimum of 6 months, although I met a girl in South Korea who was issued a 4 month working visa.

The reason that many positions or contracts are for one year is due to Visa laws and/or the labor laws of China, South Korea etc...

You cannot be ethnocentric and assume that the labour laws of any given country are the same as Canada, the U.S. or wherever you may be writing from.

Try to understand the laws of the country you are interested in. You may even be eligible for citizenship of a given country taking into account your ethnic background. For example, I am a legal dual citizen, of the Netherlands and Canada.

So, before entering a foreign country, remember that their legal structure, culture and language applies.

Try to enter the foreign country legally, some recruiters and employers will insist or pressure you into believing otherwise but, in the long run, it will save you a lot of headaches.

If I were you, contact the local Chinese consulate or embassy and ask about entering the PRC legally and correctly.

Try to find the job that is best for you.

[sammy]

if you are qualified, then i don't think there will be any problem in applying abroad. yes, experience is not necessary but of course an advantage. i believe it is more important than having a certificate. i have several friends who are able to work abroad just for their experiences.

[taadams]

I worked in China for over 7 years, and a contract from February to late June is pretty much typical. Although they have a variety of holidays, that New Year's holiday isn't for two months.. A lot depends on what city or Province you are wanting to teach in. A lot of the schools, especially the key schools have " English camp" during these holidays, and many private language schools still have their classes. Go to China TEFL and look. If you speak English, have a degree of any kind, experience only boosts your salary, not your ability to get a job. The most important experience in teaching in China is the experience to know how to deal with the agencies, the schools, the Chinese teachers and the many school administrators. The Chinese government pretty much leaves you alone to the whims of your employer. Contract law is a new concept in China and their contracts are not binding to them, only to you, so you need to trust whoever you go to work for, or have find you a job. Stick to large cities where the need is the greatest and the competition among schools is the strongest. Good luck. If you need any more detailied help, I can give you names of trusted people, in Shanghai, Beijing and Urumqi..and also those not to trust..

[ParkEnglish]

For International English Teaching Positions you are eligible as long as you have a bachelors degree - Some of the Qualifications Required for International English Teaching Positions are :-

1) Applicant must be a Native English Speaker.
2) Must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, Scotland or Great Britain (UK).
3) Must be a citizen of one of the above mentioned countries
4) Must be in general good health, both mental and physical.
5) You must not have a criminal record. (background checks are a standard procedure)

So if you do not have experience but do have a Bachelors Degree you are good to go and can apply.

Further, if you have TEFL or TESOL certification you will get an edge over others. However these certificates are not mandatory for these positions.

[taadams]

It is easy to separate the agencies from the actual teachers here on this board. First thing is, that in China it is easy to get a 6 month contract. Once you are in china you can independently contract for less time depending on where you are teaching. In a regular school, one semester is the minimum. Some may not want you to. But for corporations, private schools or parties, it is always shorter. There are also boiler plate Kindergarten English schools that pretty much will hire you for one job if you want, which can be for a couple of weeks of a "camp" to a variety of classes. Second, it is close to impossible for an American to teach in any UK country, or any country that belongs to the European Union. Also once you get to a country, it is not always impossible to get a job with no degree, but only if you have a certificate. Also if you are over 65 you will not be able to get a work permit in China. They have an age limit. The biggest warning I could give is against most agencies. They will dupe you into getting to the country and then you are obliged to take whatever living accomodations they have and whatever classes they need you for, regardless of their promises before contract. Inexperienced at first I got caught by some, but later was wise enough to be able to sort them out. I was put in deplorable conditions, with low pay and many promises. I can't count the times I heard, just this once...and it is like volunteering in the Army..that once becomes your lot. As for advice from an embassy, I doubt they would give you any other than directions other than to apply for a visa.You can get all their information online from their embassy website. Applications and instructions are there. If you want the easiest way to get a visa there are good agencies that will do it for you. You will have to sort them out though yourself. You can do it all online... key words.. China(country) visa...