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Q: The do's and don'ts for a Noob ESL teacher ?
My 17yrs old son s thinking about doing a year in China and Japan next year as a ESL teacher
He is doing some ESL courses in the interim and is a hell of a lot better at English than I am .
What advice (helpful) can you give him
He has never been to Asia before and is looking for the adventure
9 years 5 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
Tell you what he could do. Try a "homestay" in China. I know there are a few companies in Kunming who arrange these (obviously making a tidy profit from the Chinese hosts) Basics are that you sign up for 3, 6 or 12 months & live with a local family. You get Chinese lessons each morning & are expected to teach their kids English for 15-25 hours per week.
Main return you get food & lodgings, a student X visa & about 750rmb/month "pocket money". It does sound a bit like being an Aupair & getting paid bugger all but it could be a way for him to get a foothold here.
ScotsAlan:
I agree. Probably the best way, but be careful because some of these schemes look like scams. I would say anything wanting cash up front to apply is a bit scammy. But getting a legal teaching job at 18 will be difficult. The home stay and student visa might be the best way to go.
If it's adventure he is after then skip the working visa.
Teaching overseas at 18 that too in Asia...seems like a laboratory test. A wide smile on his cheeks with 'Yes, I do' attitude. Probably should start with young learners.
I am uncertain about the legalities about age or experience that he might face but it surely is the youngest teacher I am hearing of.
Best of luck...
Hotwater:
I thought the llegalities of age & experience were quite clear to work legally?
1) bachelors degree
2) 2-years post degree work experience.
3) Maybe TEFL or similar certificate.
So at 17 years old he doesn't qualify under 1) or 2) above. So doubt he'd have any chance of working in China legally.
As Hotwater mentioned there are 3 official working requirements:
A) Bachelor degree
B) 2-years of working experience
C) TEFL certificate
But having arrived in Beijing without 2 of these requirements back in 2010, I guess this would still be possible. Try to have him set up with a charity or similar. These shouldn't be overly concerned about qualifications.
philbravery:
if the local high schools can hire foreigners he will say with my wife's relatives
he will be 18 by then and will have some esl certificates by then
Hotwater:
But he won't have a degree so won't be able to get an FEC & therefore not work legally.
Damn the rules and regulations, policies and procedures .... a motivated young man should be given all the opportunities. I wish him well in his quest for knowledge, experience and evading Phil.
where there is a WILL there is a way!!!
Tell you what he could do. Try a "homestay" in China. I know there are a few companies in Kunming who arrange these (obviously making a tidy profit from the Chinese hosts) Basics are that you sign up for 3, 6 or 12 months & live with a local family. You get Chinese lessons each morning & are expected to teach their kids English for 15-25 hours per week.
Main return you get food & lodgings, a student X visa & about 750rmb/month "pocket money". It does sound a bit like being an Aupair & getting paid bugger all but it could be a way for him to get a foothold here.
ScotsAlan:
I agree. Probably the best way, but be careful because some of these schemes look like scams. I would say anything wanting cash up front to apply is a bit scammy. But getting a legal teaching job at 18 will be difficult. The home stay and student visa might be the best way to go.
I think 18 is far too young. Most jobs require a bachelor degree (hard to fake if you are 18) and some previous work experience.
I think the home stay or perhaps coming over on a student visa would be best. He could tutor in his spare time.
This is where you can probably avail of your wife's family (intially) for a home-stay.
They are Chinese and your son will have some degree of freedom that he is looking for, but you have the connection there to ensure he is not deposited in some random place where he will be totally at the mercy of an exploiting ****.
Granted he will probably feel a bit too controlled and probably under scrutiny the whole time, but being an Aussie, i am sure he has the b***s to assert himself and see it as the start of his adventure once he finds his feet.
(OMG I sound like my mom when i said i was going to China)
Advice for new ESL teachers:
1. Don't caremuch more than your boss or your students. If neither care about learning or teaching, your extra efforts will be wasted. Better to use that effort to find a new job where you will be appreciated and do meaningful work.
2. The best opportunities will be found by networking and not on a job site. Most ESL teachers make peanuts while their bosses make a fortune off of their work. The one's who figure out how to put more of that money in their pockets, are willing to work hard, and know how to deal with Chinese can do quite well for themselves.
But none of this applies to an 18 year old kid. Maybe look into doing some volunteer work for a charity or something as someone of that age doesn't come close to meeting the proper requirements.
Enrol in a uni course somewhere, get a student visa - get permission from the school to do some work on the side.
Legal, and earning while learning... He'd also be a lot more likely to meet people his own age to hang out with, and to take him places.
The obvious course would be Chinese language...
Hotwater:
That's actually a very good idea. My current next door neighbor is Ameican. He's been in GZ for 5 years now doing an Economics degree (taught in English) & teaching English on the side to support himself.
The he only worry I have for him is whether his degree will be recognised outside China.
Shining_brow:
If his course is Chinese language, I think it would be fine in the rest of the world.
