Santiago
- 2006-10-03
Yes, you are right Dave. Thanks for making that a little clearer than I did. The unfortunate truth is that there are many ways around the existing laws for employers, but none of those ways ultimately protect the employee should the hatchet begin to fall. And yes, those new to China as teachers, or exploring the possibility of teaching in China, should be made aware that recruiters will use any means at their disposal to lure unsuspecting, and in some cases innocently naive or excessively hopeful newcomers to the EFL game in China.
One can only hope that sooner or later the government will clear up this mess. Aside from the outright dishonesty, there are just too many gray areas regarding EFL teaching in China. Yes, I know how the saying goes; "Wish in one hand, %^&* in the other." And right now there's just way to much money padding the pockets of the local officials for them to feel inclined to do anything about it. However, I do remain hopeful; albeit, only slightly so. That little bit of hope is maintained through the perhaps misguided belief that there are those in Beijing in positions of power that will ultimately recognize the benefit of examining this situation with the objective realization that it will be to the betterment of China as a whole if the whole thing is torn apart and reassembled. In fact, to be pefectly honest, I'd like to see a moratorium on the hiring of new teachers put into place immediately until the whole thing is sorted out - there are just too damn many people having their lives disrupted and their hopes dashed.
On a final note, recently I had some passport problems I needed to care of. While looking through the US Embassy and Consulate pages on the web, I came across a link regarding teaching English in China. Although I only skimmed through it, it seemed that some of the information was fairly accurate and useful for the uninitiated, yet a lot of it made me aware that the US government is itself not quite clear on the matter. Has anyone in this forum seen that information? And can you tell me if I'm right or wrong about my assertion?
Thanks again Dave............
Dave
- 2006-10-03
I think your advice to Steve is generally sound so this response is not about to stand as some form of dispute.
The possession of a degree (in any discipline) is a requirement of the Chinese Government and not necessarily of schools. Many Foreign Affairs Departments throughout China, (though not all), are happy enough to approve the employment of a foreign teacher providing he has some other form of education certificate. These can be far removed from degrees. The successful acceptance of lesser certificates will depend on how good is the relationship between the FAO and the school(s) concerned. TEFL certificates are sometimes required but these are a schools-only requirement not governmental.
I suggest that Steve sends his resume to any school that he feels he may be suited to, even if they are wanting to see a degree. Many schools that call for a degree will overlook that requirement if the candidate has experience and an approach that they like. He should of course make it crystal clear that he does not have a degree and should make equally clear what educational certification he does have. Of course there are advertisements from schools where they too make it clear that they MUST have candidates with degrees and will not consider those who don't have one - in which case he needn't bother with them.
As you have correctly told him, he can legally obtain teaching work in China but to make it legal he must have a residence permit. In order to get that, a Foreign Expert Certificate has to be issued and without a degree, that issuance will depend heavily on the relationship between the school and their local FAO. Using a forged degree or certificate is highly risky as if it is challenged, the bearer can find himself in deep trouble.
Thus, Steve cannot legally work in China in ANY capacity unless he has a residence permit (generally, though incorrectly, still referred to as a 'Z'visa). In any case he would soon run out of time on his visit visa following which he becomes illegal even if he's a genuine tourist.
Finally, Steve must beware of Agents in his position. Many agents will jump at job-seekers who have 'lightweight' educational qualifications. They will promise the earth and tell him not to worry as they can fix it etc etc. Don't take any notice of that kind of claptrap. Deal ONLY with schools who confirm that they are duly authorised to directly employ foreign teachers.
Dave
Santiago
- 2006-10-02
Yes, it's possible to get a teaching job in China without a degree if you hold a certificate. Is it legal to do so? Not really, but that doesn't always matter. Most Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language programs require that you have acquired at least a BA; however, many such programs have sprung up - online and elsewhere, that don't have that prerequisite. Personally, I wouldn't recommend any of them, as they're not worth the paper they are printed on. I've even heard that in places such as Bangkok you can buy a TEFL Certificate that looks authentic without having to attend one class. Of course, people have been known to do that with BA degrees or MA's as well. Hey, good idea, I think I'll buy my PHD online.
But back to your original question. Yes, you can get a job, but not in a public school or university where your documents are generally scrutinized pretty carefully.
I'm not sure about Shanghai. By my way of thinking, Shanghai is a whole separate country - part of China by name only. In fact, many of my Chinese friends, when the subject of Shanghai comes up, tell me that Shanghai citizens generally hold themselves above the rest of the country - they look down on anyone not from Shanghai as if they are mere country bumpkins unworthy of their respect. But in regards to teaching privately there, I'm sure it's doable - legal or not. If it's not legal, a few well-placed remimbi will pave the way. I imagine though that it's highly competitive. A lot of ex-pats earn extra cash that way and there are many, many private EFL schools where many well-qualified teachers are teaching.
Having said all the above though, my advice - if you really want to experience China - is to stay away from Shanghai unless you just want to use it as a base from which you can travel to the "real" China.
Steve
- 2006-10-01
I know the ideal for a potential EFL teacher is that they have passed one of the usual EFL certification courses and hold a degree, but is it possible to get reasonable EFL employment without a degree, with the EFL certification only?
And if I wanted to be a private EFL tutor from my girlfriend's apartment in Shanghai, can I do that legally without a degree, as long as I have the usual EFL teaching certification?
Thanks,
Steve
Those of us who have been in China for any length of time now, be it as ex-pats, teachers or businessmen, have come to recognize this country as one of the most beautiful on Earth. Learn to take the good with the bad is an oft heard mantra amongst us. And it is as common to hear that there is no true paradise on Earth. If its too difficult for you to adjust, it may be better for you go back home, we might add. Interestingly though, along with the development of cultural sensitivity and adaptability that Ive seen in foreigners who have weathered the storms in China, Ive also seen the development of a kind of consciousness. Not to say that such a consciousness would not have evolved in ones home country, but I have a feeling that there is a transparency here that allows for us to view our surroundings with eyes wide open; perhaps in a way that is not possible at home. Or perhaps our view at home is veiled by the thick gauze of our apathy. Either way though, we seem to see and feel things here differently or more deeply than we do in the comfort of familiar surroundings, and those feelings seem to lead to a kind of wakefulness that in turn leads to a kind of scrutiny.
Ive discussed this with many other foreigners. Unfortunately, we cant really put our finger on it. And the diversity of China seems to create a diversity of awareness. Certainly, the ex-pat who has not strayed far from Shanghai will see things differently than the EFL teacher who has bounced all over China in search of the perfect job or in many cases the honest employer. And the businessman who has been wined and dined by Chinas elite will not have the same perspective as others who have not enjoyed such privileged treatment. However, if there is a commonality in our perspective, it is that China is both fascinating and a work in progress.
As to that progress, several years ago, while in a nave daze I suggested in an essay of sorts that China would ultimately replace the US as a model for the world to follow. These days I marvel at my absence of perspicacity when I wrote those words; furthermore, I bemoan the fact that those words could not have been at least slightly prophetic.
The same foreigners I mentioned above, those willing to engage themselves in this kind of discourse that really leads nowhere, and I, often end our diatribes with the seemingly necessary admittance that, I love China. And really, thats the gist of it. This incredible passion that we have for this incredible country is only tempered by the unequivocal reality of its glaring problems. We all know what they are. And we all have our pet grievances: If one is possessed of a humanitarian nature, then certainly that nature will not be suppressed in China. If one is an environmentalist at heart, then its definite that he will lie awake some nights unable to shake the concerns of industrialism run amok in China. And of course, if one is acutely aware of the needs to view health concerns as a worldwide issue, they will without doubt question the hygienic practices or absence thereof in China. Perhaps though, what irks us the most is that we cant seem to do anything about it.
Or is that true? Our hands are they literally tied? Sometimes I think I can make a difference if, as an environmentalist at heart, I sort of surreptitiously bring ecology into my university classroom. Recently I read an article in a magazine called "Beijing Review" written by the chief editor. The article, Temptations of a Simple and Leisurely Lifestyle, addresses such issues as rampant development at the cost of the environment, and it clearly suggests that perhaps Chinas rush to growth is misdirected. I re-wrote the article for one of my classes so that the vocabulary would be more easily understood. I then asked my students to write for homework a one page response to the article stating whether they agreed or disagreed. Not surprisingly they all agreed. But equally unsurprisingly, they see it as more of a personal issue versus a public issue.
It is this lack of public awareness that will be the demise of Chinas potential as a world player. During three years of teaching in China, mostly in a university or college environment, Ive yet to meet a student who was aware there is such a thing as an EPA in China. Yes, it exists; The CEPA.
One last interesting bit of information: I have a Communications class of first year students. I asked them all, twenty five students, what their major is. Yep you guess it; Business, International Trade and etc.
Did you see the front page article on Yahoo yesterday? Shocking that it was there, but even more shocking was what it revealed: Seventy per-cent of the underground water (the drinking supply) in China is now contaminated. Three hundred million citizens of China are facing severe drinking water shortages. Thirty thousand tons of industrial waste is being dumped into the Yellow River annually yes thats 30,000 tons!
Okay, I've rambled enough. What do you think?