Hi, I was wondering if there was any other update on your progression as a teacher. Where are you now? I'd love to know more as I'm considering taking up a TEFL course in London and I want to know as much as I can before I eventually apply for jobs abroad. I've heard the disheartening stories about race discrimination and would like more information about where you teach so I can apply to these government run schools when I complete my course. Thank you so much for posting this and I look forward to hearing from you. Alex at spitting_games09@hotmail.com

I read your post and find it to be very interesting and ENLIGHTENING. I am a young ESL Teacher from The Bahamas and have applied for many a job in China. I recently recieved a reply from a recruiter and as soon as a Skype interview was set up where she could see me, she immediately made up some excuse to exit the conversation. I have heard random storiea about racism in China before but never really believed it until just then.

Since then, I have just given up on finding work there and focused my efforts elsewhere eventhough it is a place that I would really like to visit. However, after reading your post, I have changed my mind and decided to keep on keeping on!! Hopefully something falls through for me and good luck to you Sir!

Hi Yingwen Laoshu Date,

Please can you help me?! Even though I'm not black, I'm sure that I'm going to find it harder to find a teaching job as I'm a non-white native English speaker (I'm Chinese), so I'm expecting a tough time, as some people have been contacting me and offering me free homestays in return for teaching their children English, which I was happy to jump at the chance, however, as I know the Chinese culture well, I thought that I'd better tell them that I'm Chinese in advance rather than turn up and find that they reject me face to face because I wasn't the foreigner they were looking for.

Yep, boy was I right, they all decided that they didn't want me to teach their children, oh well, its their childrens' loss and personally, I'd rather not have to hang around with such ignorant and narrow minded people as there are plenty of decent Chinese people that I can meet and make friends with instead.

The reason that I'm contacting you is to ask if it would be possile for you to give me the contact details of any schools that you know that hire on talent rather than colour, just to make my job hunt a little easier.

Thanks in advance.

Hi I have been looking for work in china as a teacher I havent really thought about the discrimination factor but I realize there will be some considering China isnt as diverse but like anywhere else I guess you have your good and bad I am currently looking for a teaching position if you would please forward me the details of your school to my email it would be greatly appreciated!

I should say whoa to you! Way to go for misunderstanding my reasoning and taking quick offence.

I wasn't in anyway insinuating that you were a miserable git. The point I was trying to make was that schools or Chinese people in general are not going to go gaga over a teacher or person just because they are white, if they find an individual miserable or surly. Likewise a black teacher or person is not going to be disliked just beacuse they are black, provided both are able to spend time getting to know Chinese people.

Sorry, maybe I'm not explaining it very well.

The point is, generally once the ice has been broken, whatever your colour, Chinese people's warming to you will be based on your personality and how much effort you take to build a rapport with them. "You " is a figure of speech. I don't mean you personally. Comprehende?

Me, an "Uncle Tom"? Ha ha ha!

I'm sorry to hear about your experience, Andrew.

That's not been my experience, though. In all my seven schools in China, there's not been one school where I felt that I gained less respect than my white colleagues. If black teachers do adequate research before they sign contracts, they can find better schools where both students and employers will judge them on their merits.

There may be some initial prejudice from some of the above mentioned, toward blacks (I didn't personally notice it, though), however, it's been my experience that what you give is what you get in China. If you're a "miserable git" they won't like you even if you have blonde hair and blue eyes! On the other hand if you're as black as coal but make a good effort in building a rapport with Chinese people, employers, and students, they will love you!

I think it would help black teachers if we focused more on gaining employment from government schools. The majority of private schools only think of profit: thus a recipe for all kinds of discrimination to manifest itself.

Remember, though, not to confuse popularity with respect. Some teachers although very popular in China, are not very well respected. I was the most popular teacher at one of the schools that I worked at, but I viewed that "honour" with trepidation.

...I know that there are opportunities for non-white teachers in China. Still, these teachers may face greater difficulties that Whites, in general. For example , I worked at a school where none of the White teachers held university degrees... Yet, I as a non white teacher was asked to "prove " that I had one... and students seemed to be quite alright when White teachers came to class unprepared, and held nothing but "chit-chat" classes...

I can see the students in my mind now, looking in rapt attention at the faces of their White instructors....enjoying every word... even if they only understood 30%...

Yes... there are opportunities for non-whites in China... Although these "opportunities" may be, in the end, insulting....

I wasn't necessarily agreeing or disagreeing with your post, merely offering my own two cents worth.

If it is in the interests of a school to hire, or not hire, non-white teachers, they will go the way that is best for the school. Like it or lump it!

Yes, there are employment opportunities in China for black and brown people. My own school currently employs several off-white teachers. Other schools are different. There is racism in China, just as there is racism in every other country. I believe a School which refuses employment to non-whites, is racist, but it is their prerogative. They operate as they see fit. Children in my school are taught to hate Japanese, yet our Japanese teachers fit in very nicely. If it is in the interests of a school to hire, or not hire, non-white teachers, they will go the way that is best for the school. Like it or lump it!

Good advice, and I'd add that wily employers who try to add clauses re probationary periods and/or that x% of your students should like your lessons at a certain point in time, usually 4 or 6 weeks after your teaching has commenced, should be avoided like the plague. Clauses like that are designed so that you can be sent packing in good time for your employer to replace you without too much difficulty, if someone better, in his eyes, can be recruited. Probationary periods and popularity stakes are not needed at all to supplement the terms and conditions of the original SAFEA contract, which are fair to both parties. Ensure that none of your employment rights are compromised before signing a contract. Remember that the SAFEA one is the fairest on offer by a long way in this respect.

First of all,make sure that any contract you have signed is the official SAFEA one.Then,if an employer wants to get rid of you mid-contract,he will find it very difficult to do so,by using a scapegoat.
Bear in mind that the last thing an employer wants is intervention from Beijing by the independent tribunal in the case of a dispute that cannot be resolved.
If there are signs that you're persona non grata,watch your step from then on in,by adhering strictly to the terms and conditions of your contract.Virtually guaranteed you'll still be there when your contract finishes.Then move on with your satisfactory teaching reference.
What I have posted above doesn't just apply to black teachers, but to all teachers,irrespective of their skin colour.

I believe in letting potential employers know my skin colour as soon as possible to avoid problems further down the line.

I do the opposite, to let them have as many problems as possible with me if they are racist employers!

I understand you. But if I did what you say I would also be creating problems for myself. I send a photo because I don't want to waste my time with racist employers; I don't want anything to do with them.

You won't stop racism by being compliant to those employers who aren't racist.

I don't understand this point.

Take on those who are. Change doesn't come by waiting for it to happen nor by ducking out of challenging racists. Give them big headaches. We should be proud to be black, and they ashamed to be racist. Let's make them feel so!

It's because I am proud to be black that I always send a photo that shows clearly my blackness to potential employers. 90% of employers in China require a photo from applicants. I think it sucks, but I feel that if I don't send a photo it's as if I'm trying to hide my blackness; as if I'm ashamed of it. By not sending it would be like I'm expecting to fail by sending my photo. Being black is a large part of what defines me, so I want every employer to know what they're getting from the get go, and I still expect to be successful because I don't believe that all Chinese employers dicriminate against blacks and I believe in myself (including my black self!)

Many schools in China will give you a job without a face to face interview. If I travelled halfway across the world or China expecting to start a job only to hear the employer telling me I'm not wanted because I'm black, there would likely be trouble. I would not be a happy bunny and a big arguement would probably ensue because the employers would not like what I said to them. Would it make them change their mindset? maybe it would, or maybe it would just reinforce any negative stereotypes they have of blacks. I don't think it's worth my time and money to change their thinking using a method that creates at least as much trouble for me than it does them. I've got a living to make and a wife. That kind of nonsense is not needed or necessary.

I agree that we should challenge racists but I believe in using different methods than you. I present myself as best I can by promoting my strengths. Knowing that I'm black, and also seeing my long and successful experience in China and positive attitude coming through in my applications, some racists may rethink their prejudiced opinions.

If I was in my home country, England, and I came across one too many racist employers, I may consider getting involved in the kind of protest you believe in, but China is not my country; I was not born here. If some Chinese people/ employers (and it is only some) want to be that way that's their business and their country. I will only confront racism if I actually come face to face with it.

I agree Ebony, if you start working for a Chinese school or university and you discover said school is racist and/or corruption is taking place there, then it is the responsibility of an FT to cause as many problems as possible for that "school" and destroy any undeserved "good reputation" that school may have.

Also, we have seen what happens on this board when anyone has the balls to criticize crap schools. The propaganda machine of these useless pretend schools will immediately swing into action.

We are seeing it happen right now in regard to the Green Oasis "school" in Shenzhen. They know they are crap, and when they are criticized and challenged many trolls and lackeys of such schools like the "Maria" poster come out of the woodwork.

The same thing happened last year with two other crap schools, Suzhou Foreign Language School and that evil school in Dalian, New Century. The Western lackeys of these "schools" tried to fling mud at the honest posters here on this board, but as usual they failed miserably.

Corrupt , racist and incompetent schools in China must be crushed into the ground and destroyed. Anyone who defends them is guilty by association and must be quickly discredited or publicly humiliated, it is the only way to deal with these people.

Yes, we should realize that employers are bosses, and because they are paying our salaries, don't deserve to be cheated by us providing mis or non-information for our own selfish reasons, viz to get a job. Tell them everything that might prevent you from being chosen for the job, eg tell them you smoke or drink or anything else that they may not like about you so that they can avoid potential problems down the line after having employed you.
Believe in yourself and fairness in the world. Trust employers to make the right decisions re recruitment 100 % of the time. Bare your souls to them, and, for God's sake, don't tell them lies, even white ones!
We should make life as easy as poosible for them - they are the kingpins, the special ones. By contrast, we are mere serfs, black or white or of mixed ethnicity, whatever. Employers are perfect. but we are not!

I'm glad to hear that you're feeling happier.

To update, I advise you to always send an up to date photo of yourself with your application (I always do this). I believe in letting potential employers know my skin colour as soon as possible to avoid problems further down the line. I'm looking for a position myself at the moment, and often suspect that no reply to some of my detailed, thorough applications could be due to me being black, but of course, there could be other reasons.

In any case don't dwell on it, apply to many jobs, be positive, and present yourself as well as you can. In my experience something good always comes up.

All the best, Niketa.

Please email I would like to know more about teaching in china I'm a student in college in america and part time teacher at a elementary public school.. would like to know what are some requirements to teach in china ?..

Thanks for posting this. I was interested in teaching in China, but began hearing some not so good things. Glad to hear that's not the case all the time.

To the good black teacher who wrote asking why Chinese schools don't accept black-skinned teachers.

Although many schools in China don't want to employ black teachers, there are also many who will.
My school( a college in Jiangxi), seems to have no problem with coloured teachers. I'm a black guy and I've been happily teaching here for the last four months.

After spending nearly three and a half years teaching in China I believe that the colour prejudice thing regarding Chinese schools is greatly exaggerated. Unless you yourself have personally had a tough time getting a teaching job in China, (I'm talking to black teachers in general here), don't believe the hype! Many people will have you believe that it's virtually impossible for a black teacher to get a job in China. It's not true! This belief is not just a disservice to black teachers, but also to Chinese society in general.

Don't get me wrong. I don't walk around wearing rose-tinted glasses. I know that many schools especially in the private sector in China do discriminate on the grounds of colour. I know from personal experience, and I hate that attitude as much as any other black teacher. However If It was claimed that all Chinese schools do not accept blacks, It would simply be untrue.

As I've said I've worked here for three and a half years in China having virtually no problem in acquiring regular work in China. I've so far taught in two colleges, two middle schools, and two private schools during my time in China.

If you have a positive attitude, with belief in yourself, and the knowledge that China is a huge country with a multitude of schools and many forward thinking people, you will fare better.

My advice to my fellow black teachers is, once you arrive in China go IN PERSON to local schools in the city, or nearby cities. Once Chinese people meet you in person they will generally take you as they find you. The barrier for many blacks seems to be the sending of a photo. Well either don't send one, go in person or send a good one of yourself interacting happily with your students. If you've never worked at a school in China just send the best photo you have.

Good black teacher, please display your e-mail so that I'll be able to forward you the details of my school. The students here are very good. Many of them told my Chinese girlfriend that they would like to see MORE black teachers at the college.
Contrary to popular belief, there are MANY opportunities for black teachers in China. Start believing!