Local knowledge: How to get an English-teaching job

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-19 09:32

Michelle Yung Chien, 25, from Brazil, has worked as an English teacher for more than a year in Beijing. She now teaches English at a private Korean kindergarten in Wangjing area.

How easy is it to obtain a job as an English teacher? Do I need a teaching degree?

I came to Beijing in 2008 and easily got my first job as an English teacher at a private primary school.

I got it through some friends who were already working. I called a phone number they gave me, did an interview and got hired. I also looked on websites where they have thousands of English teaching opportunities.

But I couldn't apply for most of them because they were demanding native teachers with degrees.

But some of the schools don't care. It can also have to do with your looks. Even if you aren't a native-English speaker, if you look Western, they don't even ask for your passport to hire you.

How do I prepare for a job interview?

I always try to relax and think about things I should say to convince them why I'm the right person to work for them. I try to plan something in case they ask for a demo class.

When you teach children, it is about creating a study lesson that makes them pay attention and keep them entertained, like singing songs or playing games.

How do I know the agency is good?

Most of the time, I just go for an interview at an agency that at least one of my friends already worked for, or they are still working there. Then I know if it's serious or not. Honestly, I never have had problems here in Beijing with any places that I've worked for so far.

Does it matter English is not my mother tongue?

It always depends on the schools. Some of the schools do ask for native teachers with degrees or certificates; otherwise, they don't even schedule an interview.

But some schools don't care if you are not native and they will still schedule an interview. If they see that the person doesn't have a strong accent, they hire him or her anyway.

How much should I ask for salary and should I sign a contract straight away?

I would never advise people to sign a contract straight away. It's always important to make several interviews to see which school is the best and take English classes seriously. It's always important to ask friends about their salary.

It always depends on how many hours per week you are working. Some schools pay by hours, or on a monthly basis. Of course, you get less if you are not a native speaker.

But I will say around 210 yuan for 100 minutes for non-native English and more for native speakers.

What qualities should I have to be a good teacher?

Besides teaching experience, you need a lot of patience, especially if you are teaching children. You have to be very creative and make them listen to you, and most important of all, make them trust you.

You also have to have good sense of responsibility, making lesson plans and teachers' report to see how they are developing their English.

Even though you just plan to teach for a short time, you must take it seriously because your teaching will affect them in their future studies.