I want to teach back in China, I did teach in Hangzhou but on a tourist visa for 2 weeks last summer and things didn’t work out. My wife got scammed on an apartment, the school was unprofessional, and we hardly had any money to come back to the US. I want to go back to China and try it in one of the bigger cities like Shanghai or Beijing but I am wondering if they will even hire me if I am visually impaired. I do wear glasses but my vision corrected is only at 20/200 in both eyes. I have a Bachelor of Science in Management and a TEFL Certificate but I am wondering if schools will discriminate against me and the laws in China might be different then laws in the US so what is your advice? Can I still teach English (Yes, I do use adaptive equipment and accomodations but I can provide those things myself) in China and would they hire me or does the government of China regulate against people like me. What is your best advice and if I can’t teach in China then where do you recommend I teach
I’m half white/half hispanic and my English is perfect and I do need a high salary since I will be supporting my American-Chinese wife who wants to have a child later on since she said it is cheaper to have a child in China then here in the US. By the way how much is it to have a baby in a hospital in China?
Unfotunally schools in China will discriminate, I don’t know about being visually impaired but if your white and you have an Americian accent your chances are higher than normal. I have heard so many stories about beijing English teaching schools only employing white people to teach English.
Anyhow have a look at the teaching adds on
Comment by drutazo — April 3, 2006 @ 12:10 pm
You definitely sound like you are qualified, but being visually impaired may cause problems. You will need to get a “Certificate of Health Examination” in China at the local clinic for foreigners (this includes a vision check). After you receive this certificate, then the sponsoring school will submit your application to the Public Security Bureau to process your Resident Permit/Visa (in your passport) and your “Alien Employment Permit”, which is just a small booklet.
My advice to you would be to check out Dave’s ESL Cafe. It’s the undisputed site for teaching English abroad. Higher payed positions in Asia are in both Korea and Japan, but you will most likely save more working in Korea (so I’ve heard). Taiwan also offers high paying jobs. Avoid Thailand at all costs, as the pay is very low.
Anyway, back to China. You can make anywhere from 6,000 (low range) RMB – 15,000 RMB (high range) per month for about a 20 hour work week with “optional” (they call it that) overtime pay of 100 RMB – 150 RMB per hour. This does not usually include preparation or travel. Most schools provide accomodations, bonuses after contract completion, and free Chinese lessons.
As far as your eyesight is concerned, when you apply for a position (before you come), tell them straight up about it. There are many positions for high level English and/or business English. Thus, less reading and writing is involved. Do you feel confident with a white/black board? I write my characters at about a 2″ height (the students need to be able to read it). Can you read from a book? This is a bigger concern. Here are links to Dave’s as well as English First.
Dave’s
English First
As far as having a baby goes, I just called my wife (Chinese), and she said about 8,000 RMB, but the price can go up for longer hospital stays and/or complications.
If you have anymore questions, feel free to contact me via my profile and I will do what I can. But Dave’s should be able to provide all the necessary info. I have been teaching English in China for 5 years (currently teaching in Zhuhai).
Currency Converter
U.S. Consulate and Embassy contacts regarding visas (updated).
Comment by Earthling — April 5, 2006 @ 1:34 pm
The best way is to get in contact with some schools and ask if they need help. I went over to Hangzhou with school and taught there. Amazing! They shouldn’t discriminate. Chinese arn’t that racist. The government wont stop you. Just get a visa, head over and visit schools asking. Most are very eager for someone to teach english
Comment by AK — April 8, 2006 @ 6:51 am