I’ve met a lot of people with fantastic jobs in China. And then I’ve met some with nightmarish ones. I don’t think anyone really knows what their job will be like until they get into the swing of things. But for many, perhaps you’re thinking about getting a job here, looking at some of the different options, and want to teach English.
Living in China has enough challenges of it’s own. I want you to get a good job, or one you’re happy with, and one that has a secure and legal contract and that gets you a visa:) Most people in Shijiazhuang are either studying Chinese, teaching English or doing business. My suggestions all have to do with jobs related to English teaching.
A good teaching experience: You go up front, 50 students all look at you and write down your examples and then after class tell you how much they appreciate you. Students want to get together with you and you are making a difference.
A bad experience: Your “orientation” is non-existent, you are dropped off at an apartment and left to fend for yourself until classes start. You don’t understand the routine or what level your students are at.
Teaching English in China can be very rewarding. There are many people who have studied for over a decade, but never practiced it with a native speaker. You aren’t just another person to them. You really do make a difference in their lives.
So read through some tips and hopefully you will be better prepared and understand the situation here and choose your job wisely. REMEMBER, it is VERY easy to get a job teaching English. You may have to seek it out, but from experience, it can be done!!
Teaching English
There are TONS of opportunities to teach English in China and especially in Shijiazhuang. I literally get asked a few times a week if I could teach. Most universities, technical colleges, middle schools, kindergartens and ALL English institutes are looking for English teachers. Some of them advertise on the internet on pages like Dave’s Cafe, Ecities China, etc. If you’re here in this city. WALK to a university and tell them you want to teach. Bring in your resume and see what happens. I would be surprised if they didn’t offer you a job. Here are my thoughts…
- Look into teaching at a university or middle school because you will get a fair and official contract. Your hours should be set and most likely, in Shijiazhuang, they will be around 12-20 hours at university per week. I believe class hours might be higher at a middle school. They will sort out your visa and should give you an apartment allowance (or apartment). (Whether or not you want to live there is all part of it:) ) I think a general university full-time position pays around $3800 rmb a month. Your hours aren’t excessive, and if you want, you’ll have time to casually study Chinese, do other things, etc.
- Be a bit wary about English “institutes.” You’re read about them, they sound great. They have a wonderful web-site, offer you (what seems like) good money and a “western” apartment. They also offer you “flexible hours.“ Translation: the schedule is not set and they will change it daily and weekly depending on their demand for teachers (tons of it) and encourage you to teach… and teach… and teach. They have no intentions of being flexible with you. If you teach more, they earn more. Many really only care about the money and not about the kids, quality of English teaching, etc. This is a generalization and I’m sure that there are some great and honest institutes out there. Some of them give you unfair contracts, (or maybe you will never see a contract!) conditions change, the “airport pick-ups” are sometimes not gauranteed, and your wages are probably not as good as they should be. Their turn-around is probably a teacher every month since it’s too much for most people to take. Will they get you a visa? Maybe. Most institutes will (should be) pay you around 120-160 RMB an hour to teach a classroom of kids.
- PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE stay away from “agents” or company’s that want to help you to volunteer in China. They are a total scam. In this city, there are various ones. Please stay away from New Dimensions. Or really, any company that offers to help you “volunteer and gain experience teaching and serving in China,” etc. They will happily get you here and put you to work, but keep your pay. Yes, it may seem like that’s what volunteering is, but they are corrupt and are not non-profit. Trust me, they are all-profit. The more directly you get a job, the better. If you do want to “serve and volunteer” look for a well-known organization, ask others, check into helping at an orphanage, etc. Otherwise, get a contract and teach English with a university and “serve” the students.
- Individual tutoring can be great. Parents and young people want to improve their English and most of them would JUMP on an opportunity to have a personal tutor. A native English speaker in this city generally charges around 150-200 RMB per hour for an individual lesson. Obviously this will not secure you a visa and many universities don’t allow you to teach privately.
So yes, come and teach English. It really is a great way to use your TEFL qualifications, improve your CV, take a year out, do something different, see the world, etc. But please, get a good contract with a reputable university or institute (EVEN if you’re looking at coming for a minimal time) and do the background on the company.
