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Posts: 22

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Q: Can I get an English Teaching Job?

I am South Korean, adopted to the U.S. when I was 1 year old.  My bf says because I look Asian, I will have trouble finding an English teaching job.  I am planning to move to Guangzhou in the next 9 months and hope to find a job first to come over on a work Visa.  Where are the best places to apply for work?

10 years 42 weeks ago in  Business & Jobs - Guangzhou

 
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I had a good friend who was an American with Chinese ancestry and I was told by my agency, “that the school I was applying with would only hire white teachers”. I would think that having a person similar to them speaking perfect English would be much more meaningful than having a white person do it. Little in China makes any sense let alone common sense. I have told my students that being prejudice is a sure what to limit their knowledge and that once they experience it first-hand perhaps they will actually understand what I meant.

Red_Fox:

Yeah, I've had similar experiences with like friends: Asian-Americans, Asian-Canadians.  If I were a Chinese English student in China, I would want a teacher who could relate to me on many levels, including common heritage.  I'd probably learn more quickly.

Why do some Chinese people think a white monkey is better than a non-white monkey?  After all, we do the same tricks.  It must have something to do with money...

But what the hell do I know about the Chinese mindset?  Not much.

10 years 42 weeks ago
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biodamon:

Because they have so many choices that they need to change the standard to simplify the interview. I admit they are too lazy to pick the right person.

10 years 42 weeks ago
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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
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Posts: 9192

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I think you can find work. Apply for jobs and get a contract BEFORE you come over and make sure you get a work visa first.

 Post your picture, maybe you can teach me English.  laugh

Traveler:

Ted: Post your pic, and she probably won't want to teach you English wink ... Shift+R improves the quality of this image. Shift+A improves the quality of all images on this page.

10 years 42 weeks ago
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TedDBayer:

devilI don't need Enlish lessons

10 years 42 weeks ago
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Traveler:

Lesson 1. How to spell "English"

10 years 42 weeks ago
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TedDBayer:

I spell Chinese way, wight? crying

10 years 42 weeks ago
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GuilinRaf:

Actually Traveler, that IS Ted! He is the identical twin of the guy from Mad Max Road Warrior...

10 years 42 weeks ago
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Red_Fox:

Very entertaining!  LMAO at the "dozens"...

10 years 42 weeks ago
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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
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target training schools or international schools (i mean the sham intl schools for the wealthy)

 

universities are the best places to work., but require 2 years experience (in china) if you have a MA or PHD they will over look the experience part.

know how to track schools on your own so you can avoid agents.

paulmartin:

Exactly

10 years 42 weeks ago
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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
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It's the nationality that counts, that and pronunciation. If you have good pronunciation and you are a native speaker you shouldn't have a hard time finding a teaching job.

crimochina:

spoken like a true chinese guy trying to pass himself off as an american.

10 years 42 weeks ago
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10 years 42 weeks ago

There are cookies, bookies and too many rookies for me to sit here trying to be a hooky! Looky Looky don't call me a wooky. Touchy Touchy Feely Feely Spicy Spicy Nicey Nicey & that's what the doctor Ordered!!

 
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Sadly, your boyfriend is right.  Asian Americans find it nearly impossible even if they have the best qualifications, etc.

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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
Posts: 915

Shifu

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KT, You have 9 months to think about an alternative to working in China.  As some board members express, you may have difficulty finding work here due to your physical appearance.

And don't mind Ted.  A good bloke, but lives somewhere in the hinterland of Canada and is desperate.  No neighbors, no one to talk to.  (Except some guy called Silva.)  Just lots of trees and brown bears.  I think he fishes for salmon and goes sledding all day for fun...

Seriously, look around.  It's a big world.  And the odds are gonna be against you here in China.  Try Europe or South America.  Seriously.  Lots of teaching jobs on those 2 continents.  And you won't run into the racial biases that await you in China.

Good luck, young lady!

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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
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I had a good friend who was an American with Chinese ancestry and I was told by my agency, “that the school I was applying with would only hire white teachers”. I would think that having a person similar to them speaking perfect English would be much more meaningful than having a white person do it. Little in China makes any sense let alone common sense. I have told my students that being prejudice is a sure what to limit their knowledge and that once they experience it first-hand perhaps they will actually understand what I meant.

Red_Fox:

Yeah, I've had similar experiences with like friends: Asian-Americans, Asian-Canadians.  If I were a Chinese English student in China, I would want a teacher who could relate to me on many levels, including common heritage.  I'd probably learn more quickly.

Why do some Chinese people think a white monkey is better than a non-white monkey?  After all, we do the same tricks.  It must have something to do with money...

But what the hell do I know about the Chinese mindset?  Not much.

10 years 42 weeks ago
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biodamon:

Because they have so many choices that they need to change the standard to simplify the interview. I admit they are too lazy to pick the right person.

10 years 42 weeks ago
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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
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I think you are supposed to be a Korean teacher.  We have locals for English teacher already.

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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
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The reason I am looking for an English teaching job in Guangzhou is because my boyfriend is moving there this month for his job.  I can't be a Korean teacher, as I don't speak any Korean.  I don't speak any language other then English and very basic Chinese (I am learning).  I was adopted by a white family in Minnesota when I was a year old.  And my English is better than most Americans!  I am working on getting my TEFL certificate this summer and hoping that will better qualify me for a teaching job.  I am planning on coming out for two weeks in November, hoping to get some interviews and then move there in January/February 2014.  I appreciate everyone's advice, but teaching somewhere other than Guangzhou is not an option for me.  I was just curious to see if anyone had any insight on the best way for me to find a teaching job despite my Asian appearance.

biodamon:

I do not know, but the employer may not take you as the prior consideration regarding the teaching job. You can try other jobs if you just want to settle in Guangzhou with your boy friend. There are non-teaching jobs posted on echinacities. Good Luck.

10 years 42 weeks ago
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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
Posts: 247

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You sound discouraged try to get over that and just do your best at reaching your goal :- )
The small city I live in isn’t a good example for all of China. It’s a big world and things change every day. The economy is getting better all of the time so maybe too few people will want to come here and perhaps your chances will be better then. Contrary to what China thinks most people in the world don’t want to move here, hell none of my friends even want to visit. The world’s view of China is about one baby in a toilet drain from going down the crapper (pun intended)

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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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There's an American Korean at my Uni. He's going to teach at another one next year. My Uni has about 45 foreigners, some non-natives too (Traveler). So yes, It's possible. Not sure about Guangzhou, never been there and not dying to go. Of course your English is better...many Americans can't even spell ...'their own language'.

Traveler:

Why do you mention my name with regards to non-native teachers? I am a native speaker.

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Thank you for the encouragement!  I hope to read more encouraging comments! 

manasyt:

Good luck angel

10 years 42 weeks ago
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Red_Fox:

Some more encouragement: Get your TEFL certificate as you intend to do and go for the schools in GZ with a majority of Korean students.  Korean international schools and "international departments" of Chinese schools that cater primarily to Korean students and families.

And... learn a little Korean and a little bit about the country, if you have the time.  It'll pay off.

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I am having the same problem as yours.crying What am I suppose to do to get a job in China?

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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
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Manasyt,

 

Do you work at a university in Guangzho?  If so, which university?

 

Thanks for the help!

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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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Nope. Xiamen.

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10 years 42 weeks ago
 
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Good Luck..and I know you wanna be with ur bf and all, but if u just wanna be close to him like in Asia...try Korea and EPIK, they are a public system and many of my "non-white" friends have been hired with no problems at all...

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10 years 41 weeks ago
 
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Thank you for the advice!  We will be living together in Guangzhou.  Do you think it would be easier to find a teaching job since I will already have a place to stay and won't need the free accommodations offered by most places?

Keisan:

It's all about convicing the parents/students that you can teach them English. But it doesn't sound like you have much teaching experience even if you're a native speaker.

Anyways, find out whhere your strengths lie

10 years 39 weeks ago
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A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is 'S
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