By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: Busting non-native esl job myths: what is true and what is not?
Good time of the day everybody! I'm Alex and I've just registered in order to surf through ads in order to find an English teaching job. Before I proceed on with my whining and complaining on why this life is so unfair let me tell you about myself briefly.
- I'm a 25 years old Russian passport holder with bachelor's degree in production management from a University that's never been and will never be close even to world's top 500 universities list. It means that I have no specific training required for the job.
- Despite the degree I've been working as English language teacher for almost 3 years and therefore I've got some experience.
- I have NO TEFL, TESOL or whatever certificate the majority of employers ask.
- I really want to go to China namely to make money for my future let me say "endeavors".
Before posting a question I've been examining dozens of pages concerning the myths that I'm about to present but the opinions on them vary from similar to opposite. Moreover a friend of mine said that in reality all the ads that are posted on the Net have nothing to do with common practice. Let me tell what she meant and what I have learned.
1) The most controversial myth - the LOOK and the FACE you got.
I have a common, Scandinavian better say, look (even though I'm a Russian): square jaw, athletic built, blue eyes, ash-blond hair. I'm not Barbie's Ken but as I've learned "the face does the talking" in China more than practical experience. My friend who studies in Beijing said me multiple times that "with such a face you can find a job easily". I have read many opinions on this and most of them say "yep, it is true". But CAN IT HELP ME FIND JOB while I'm not in China?
2) Many ads on this site require particular passports like USA, Canadian, Australian... What is it - an official REQUIREMENT stated by government or just a simple whim of an employer? I'm asking it as I've seen other ads at this very site citing "Russian, Polish, Hungarian passport holders".
3) I know that big cities like Beijing, Shanghai can offer a bigger wage than any 2nd or 3rd tier city in some province. Where I have the best chance to find a job? Should I try nonetheless Beijing, for instance? Or being a non-native, without teaching certificate, I should look up to smaller cities?
4) How can an employer screw me over in terms of rules ad obligations stated in the contract? What points should I look at attentively before signing contract? Maybe someone in here got some "regrettable" experience to warn me about?
5) Is it possible for a non-native to get a working Z-visa while being abroad? I've heard that Natives get jobs easily but not non-natives.
6) Which way is better - to reply to all of the ads posted hoping that someone will reply back or search namely the schools/gartens/language centers in the designated area? Can anyone share his/her practical experience and suggest which way is more helpful?
In my defense))) I'd like to say that I intend to work, occupy myself with making money solely and not entertaining with local girls, clubs, movies and God deliver me from - behaving like an obnoxious-pale-faced-foreign-dick-tator that everybody around owns to. I always respect the law of the country I arrive to, people's customs, habits and behave myself very modestly.
8 years 15 weeks ago in Business & Jobs - China
Come! Work on a tourist visa! Get busted! Get deported!
IT WILL BE AN ADVENTURE!
I can't read all this. I'll call my secretary. Wait.....
I think you could find a job. You might have to do a skype interview before an employer will offer a job and the opportunity to get a Z visa.
Just come over! You certainly are qualified for making money with your physical. If you know what I'm talking about. 
Come! Work on a tourist visa! Get busted! Get deported!
IT WILL BE AN ADVENTURE!
This question has already been answered a gazillion times.
Let's make it a gazillion and one.
You can't legally work as an English teacher in China. However, if you really want to work in China then you probably can. You'll just need to find an unscrupulous employer who has little if any regard for the rule of law. Luckily this is China and the rule of law, as with the give way rule, doesn't always apply. So finding such an employer will be easy. However, you will need to be aware that you are technically on the back foot due to the fact that you are an illegal worker so prepare to be paid less and have few if any rights as an employee.
If I were you I'd go to a 2nd or 3rd tier city as you'll have more opportunities there.
Can you fake an American accent? If so then all the better. Start working on your fictional identity now and impress your future employer!
Alex178:
Just as I expected to hear - third tier cities...
But I'm not going to China to work on tourist visa to be working there illegally. And why would you say that I can't work legally there - only because I have no TEFL certificate? If I find an employer who is not so caring about the law and still issues me a Z visa and all the papers needed for legal job - papers really matter, right?
(I can fake General American, a bit of Southern tawk and British accent)
My secretary says there's one Non-native English FT with BA English major in Fujian, who works there forever with all proper working documents. He's from Bulgaria.
And there's another Non in Henan, working as an English teacher in China also with all proper docs. since 2011. He comes from his mom.....
.
So yes, it is possible for Non-native FT to get Working permit as an English teacher in China for difference of Japan, Russia, Taiwan and few other countries, where Law requires 'English teacher must hold passport from UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, S. Africa in order WP can be granted'.
Just print up a TEFL Certificate with your name on it.... Voila! you are now certified. They are not accredited, and cant be traced. truth of the matter they arent worth the paper they are written on, but for some oddball arse reason, countries over here seem to think they are important to have in order to work. good luck.
Shining_brow:
TEFL not accredited?? Really??
http://www.postgraduatesearch.com/masters/tefl-teaching-english-as-a-foreign-language/uk/study/postgraduate-browse.htm
https://www.teflonline.net/tefl-accreditation/ (granted, I don't know about Fort Hayes University...).
(crap - I just lost my connections... I'll get back to you with an edit!)
icnif77:
I have my i-to-i TEFL Cert. accompanied with lead lecturer's Recommendation letter, his address and contact numbers info.
Does that qualify as 'accredited'? It might not, butT....anyone in doubts can dial/email Brit. TEFL Cert. signature lecturer.
silverbutton1:
@Brow. I know for a fact that there are many fake TEFL certification centers throughout the world, in particular Thailand. ajarn.com
you go through a certain amount of hours (like 2 weeks or so) and then they graduate you with a fest TEFL certificate.
I looked at your link and was surprised that there is a MA in TEFL. Learn something new everyday, but I think the OP said TEFL certification, not MA in TEFL. Cheers.
silverbutton1:
@icnif77. What if he dies, or if the business goes out of business? When ecucational documents are accredited, they can always be traced back to say a registrar at University. If you get a TEFL certificate at ACME business, and ACME business goes out of business...what then? Do you see my reasoning ?
you can work as a russian teacher instead
Alex178:
As I've learned Russian is not popular at all and there are practically no ads on Russian teaching jobs at least on this site.
" I always respect the law of the country I arrive to, "
No, apparently you don't!
Chinese law has a REQUIREMENT that you have a teaching qualification (even a dodgey one) to be teaching.
The demand is highest for white young female native speakers, and each one of those you aren't, makes you less valuable. I'm a dude, by the way. I have no interest in kindergarten but it can pay well...really well.
