Recent Fear and Loathing: Screwing up the ESL Market

[MagnusNielsenBewick]

Actually, I am not surprised and not offended. Sometimes I just wonder how long you have to wait until you can be sure that the application has failed. I dont expect to change Chinese culture - and I have no wish to do so.

[MagnusNielsenBewick]

Having submitted an application for employment as a English Language teacher, I have, so far, heard nothing from the company. From this silence, I assume that my application has not been successful. This is typical of the Chinese, I believe. They never tell you that they don't need or want your services; they just leave you to work that out for yourself.

[Ksabrs45]

@MagnusNielsenBewick

Yeah - that is a real possibility. When they don't have information or they have bad news - they shut off communication as to avoid acknowledging that they don't know something or to avoid giving you bad news.

[240kankan]

@MagnusNielsenBewick Ksabrs is right.It not only happens to you,but also to every chinese.some chinese may feel frustrated when receiving bad news from the prospective employers.Its also a lot of work for them to reply if many people make applications for employment.i think they should treat you differently as you're from a different culture.

[MagnusNielsenBewick]

I have just applied to a company which is recruiting English language speakers to teach in China. How should I find out about the credentials of the company? Do you know of any organisation which protects the interests of English language teachers in China?

[Ksabrs45]

@MagnusNielsenBewick

I can't help you much with this. The best I can suggest is that you find some of the Chinese expat forums and ask for some information about the school's reputation.

I don't know about any organization that represents us here - you're on your own!

[MagnusNielsenBewick]

@Ksabrs45 Thanks for this information, as always.

[underthehour2000]

Fortunately for me, I go through an agency and in my contract the wage is set after taxes. So I would imagine if this law does come into effect, unlucky for the agency who hire me. Although, there could be a possibility of them sacking me. But with experience (now) and Korea paying 3 times as much as China. I also heard Taiwan too, this could be a backup solution :) Interesting to hear about this. About the trains, always it's been mandatory for locals to use ID in purchasing train tickets and..

[underthehour2000]

@underthehour2000 hotel rooms. As for foreigners I have also found in the past you need to use such identification. But you can get away with it sometimes without the passport if you tell them your passport ID or have another form of ID or photocopy. But if this soon renders to be true, what an arse it will be to travel around China.

[MagnusNielsenBewick]

I am dismayed to hear this. It looks as if my dreams of visiting China will never be more than dreams. What a pity.

[Nielsio]

:(

[zuiprax]

That's terrible man.

What made you decide to choose China over Taiwan/Hong Kong in the first place? Like if you had to name the benefits that China has over those. Or is it more that there's more jobs available in China for people in your position?

Also, what do you think of Singapore?

[Ksabrs45]

@zuiprax

To make a long story short - without qualifications and experience its much harder to land a decent position in Taiwan. So, when I was applying to jobs I was quite desperate and anxious to leave - so I wasn't willing to wait additional weeks to find a job in Taiwan. Without qualifications those jobs are all teaching kids anyway. Hong Kong's cost of living is sky high - not much in terms of savings.

[zuiprax]

@Ksabrs45 Oh I see. But now that you've worked in China for a while they will probably be more eager to hire you, right?

[Ksabrs45]

@zuiprax

Singapore is great but there aren't many jobs and the qualifications/experience required are steep.

[Xianjaque]

Do they usually have the habit to make a new law and keep them vague including after they go into effect?

Thanks for your honesty and also including the bad news

[Ksabrs45]

@Xianjaque

That certainly seems to be the case.

[SanguineBullet667]

wow such an annoyance ...definitely something to consider

[AarontheCurious]

Oh wow sounds crazy, maybe new arrivals should consider bringing 3 passports if that is the case. If they allow you to buy multiple copies in the US.

[Ksabrs45]

@AarontheCurious

If only that were possible. We weren't meant to leave. You were born on your farm - you were intended to die on your farm. The laws do not accommodate you.