Getting a job before arriving

[soph912]

Is it possible to get a school to hire you before you get to China? I am looking towards schools in Beijing and Shanghai. Any suggestions?

[cool ice]

Of course you can. Just checkout the job forums. Plenty of jobs on offer even if you haven't arrived yet to China.

But judging by your country flag, you are from the Philippines and not a native English speaker. So expect some tough times. They mainly only want native English speakers.

[soph912]

Thank you for your input. That's what I'm worried about. I am actually a Philippine-born Chinese and I know how to speak and write in both English and Mandarin. I am hoping that this will be an advantage for me. Would it be easier if I just get to Beijing or Shanghai first and then apply personally?

[cool ice]

Will it be easier once you get to China? It will still be difficult for you. Just be prepared to walk away without a job. Many others before you have asked the same question on these boards.

[exported_kiwi]

Yep, my friend cool ice has pretty much said it all. One of the problems for non native English speakers, or non white folks, is that it's very difficult to get a job in the main centres like Beijing or Shanghai, or Guangzhou for that matter! White faces sell here and although it's not a nice situation, it's one that we all haveta live with whether we like it or not!

As cool said, just check out the job board here for what's on offer and find one that you may like. They'll ask for a photo though and you'll quite possibly be refused for your looks rather than for your ability, again, sadly!

It may be a good idea, for you, to look out of the main centres and in the provinces, the smaller places that pay less and have less facilities because they're usually the places that aren't as "fussy" about the appearance, ethnically, of their ESL teacher. The main centres have the first choice usually because most ESL teachers want to live in those places...more excitement, bars and palatable food etc not to mention, usually better pay as well. I live and work in Guangzhou, and I have to say that I've never seen a non white ESL teacher here, which is sad, but is an indictment on the economics of the industry, white faces sell places in schools, a simple but true fact! Everybody is equal in China unless you're not white or Chinese and even then, there are prejudices. My Chinese girlfriend can't stand the non white teachers here. She says that their English isn't native so they can't teach the nuances of the language or the correct usages of idioms and slang etc. She's about as racist as they come over here. I try to tell her that they're all people but she won't have any of it, so I leave the subject alone for the sake of domestic harmony, but she does reflect the opinion of a large percentage of the population who want to learn English.

Apply, try and be prepared for disappointment but never ever let this dissuade you from achieving your goal!

Good luck and let us know how you're doing!
My few cents, or dollars worth so nuff said!

[LeslieW]

Originally Posted by soph912

Thank you for your input. That's what I'm worried about. I am actually a Philippine-born Chinese and I know how to speak and write in both English and Mandarin. I am hoping that this will be an advantage for me. Would it be easier if I just get to Beijing or Shanghai first and then apply personally?

Having a Toeic certificate would make life a bit easier. The problem is your not a native born english speaker. No matter how good your english is, the Toeic certificate will open more doors.

Your better off to save your money and hit the job forums etc and find a job than pay out money to fly to China and pay for housing, food, transporation and no cash coming in. You are under a limited time table to find an employer before having to leave. Why not have the job lined up first.

[soph912]

Thank you for all your inputs. I have TESOL certification. Would that help?
Anyway, I have an offer to teach in China, although it's in Taiyuan, Shanxi. Anybody familiar enough with the place to give information? I hope to hear from somebody who has been there personally. I have searched the net for info already, but I need somebody who really knows about the place （i.e. safety, health conditions, etc.). Thanks.

[cool ice]

A TESOL certification wont help! Hahahaha... nah, only joking. That's a stupid question if you don't mind me saying.

Checkout Taiyuan in English for more info on Taiyuan.

You wont get mugged or disease ridden if you take a walk down the streets here!

[gfell]

Please keep threads on focus. This thread is about "Getting a job before arriving". If you would like to discuss other topics, please create a new thread.

Thanks.

[soph912]

hey cool ice, thanks for the url. may i know where you teach in japan?