Teaching Blunders to Avoid in China

There are many accounts of scam artists in China and fake schools using the promise of high pay and lavish amenities to entice instructors. After paying astronomical costs and being swindled out of legal visas, accommodations, etc., foreigners learn the hard way that the organization that seemed so helpful was really just a guy in his pyjamas in Shanghai hiding behind a computer. That person is then locked into a contract with a Chinese school that requires him or her to labor 40 hours per week for just a weekly compensation of $1,000. If you live on the other side of the world and have never been to China, you will never really grasp how things operate there. You may find numerous great and helpful recruiters and universities that will treat you with the courtesy you deserve. Unfortunately, not all educators make it to these institutions. Here are some suggestions for protecting yourself against foreigner teaching frauds and pitfalls:

There should be no cost associated with employment. Never, ever, ever pay a firm or a recruiter to get you a teaching position or a school! Putting in unpaid labor is not justified. There are many of "volunteer" teaching opportunities out there, where you may pay up to $1,000 USD to work for a company for six months in return for lodging and board. It's not uncommon for recruiters to attempt charging instructors up to $500 USD for a "job placement fee," even when the school pays the recruiter a commission for locating teachers. Without putting out any cash, you can get a job.

Not completing one's homework is the most basic and prevalent error. It's not uncommon for individuals to commit to one-year contracts in locations they have never heard of. Even though most recruiters would tell you otherwise, it is feasible to get temporary employment for periods of four to six months. The moment you set foot in China, you'll understand. It would be less of a hassle to come here, get oriented, and look for work on your own if you're just looking for anything temporary. Some recruiters may be quite helpful in the long run in assisting you to select which choice is best and in helping you bargain with the institution.

Watch cautious for what you put your signature on! The majority of workers only have one job, and they often sign away a year of their lives for a position that takes advantage of them in every manner. In China, a typical teaching week lasts anywhere between twenty and twenty-five hours. If they demand a higher minimum number of office hours, that should be reflected in the terms of your contract. Unless otherwise specified in the contract, assume it is not necessary. To make sure the school you are enrolling at is not on any blacklists, you may visit any number of websites that maintain such listings.

Do not presume that they have made preparations. You should bring your own stuff. It makes no sense; after all, institutions of learning should have their own libraries and textbooks. But unless you have a degree in English, you'll be teaching what the Chinese term "Oral English." That means you're on your own to come up with an hour's worth of lessons to teach in class. Don't forget to plan ahead and bring some books on English grammar, as well as some on conversation themes and practice if you can. There are many who also provide toys and English-language literature for kids. Plenty of websites provide games, forums, and other forms of entertainment.

You must know where you are heading. Plan for the worst, but always be prepared for the best. You should know enough about your destination so that if anything goes wrong, such as no one meeting you at the airport as promised, you can get yourself settled into a hostel or hotel and figure out how to go into the city from there. To learn how to get from the airport to your hotel, browse our site's transit information by city.

In order to prevent such hazards, it is important to conduct your research, since there is a wealth of information available online. Since it is difficult to conceptualize how people in China live, many make naive mistakes due to a lack of preparation. People have been paid hundreds of dollars to perform labor for free. To labor for free in your own nation, would you pay? Without a doubt not! This is not to imply that all Chinese school administrators are dishonest, but rather that those who put in the most effort and research will have the most positive experiences and reap the most rewards. Don't undervalue yourself; you have plenty to offer. There is still a need for English teachers, and the industry is growing. A hidden passion for a certain line of work might be discovered.