TESOL College with job guarantees in China without a degree

[sevens7ar]

Hi,

I'm really hoping someone can help me.

I recently enrolled in an internationally recognized and accredited college to complete a TESOL Professional Diploma to teach English.
The college has assured me no teaching experience or degree is required for China, they even offer a job guarantee at the end of the course.

I have no degree nor teaching experience, yet they still assure me that it's not required and the job guarantee for China is still in place.
Some light research tells me this is completely untrue.
I also came across the chinaforeignteachersunion.com website which has helpful and in-depth information also stating otherwise.

Further digging shows that the degree requirement is now heavily enforced and unqualified teachers are experiencing difficulties with the PSB.
Difficulties which include jail, fines, deportation and 5 year bans from entering.
As someone who loves the country and would like to visit as frequently as possible, that is obviously the last thing I want to happen to me.

I have questioned the gentleman who enrolled me and other 'higher ups' at the college in regards to this information.
However, they claim they do not know of these difficulties or laws and to 'not worry'.
I live in Australia and it is an Australian college, so I'm hoping the colleges credibility claim is genuine to some extent.

I found this article on the chinaforeignteachersunions.com site, which out right says a BA and 2 years experience is required for a working Z visa;
http://www.chinaforeignteachersunion.com/2015/01/official-2015-china-foreign-teacher.html
I don't doubt this, as any research affirms this information.
I was just hoping someone could send me a direct link to an official site with this information so I can provide it as evidence to the college I have enrolled with.
I can't find this information myself, as I assume it's on a Chinese immigration site in Chinese text. 

I am yet to hear back from the admin of the Chinese Foreign Teachers Union with this information (I'm just getting a little impatient as I have already paid for the course and am attending classes. I just want to get something sorted out ASAP)

Thank you very much for your time.

[ChTTay]

A few things...

 

 

Further digging shows that the degree requirement is now heavily enforced and unqualified teachers are experiencing difficulties with the PSB.
Difficulties which include jail, fines, deportation and 5 year bans from entering.

 

If you are applying for a Z visa and then a residence permit, and you are granted one by the PSB ... you aren't then going to be jailed, fined or deported. Something like this would happen if you came here and worked illegally - not on the right visa. They don't come round and, once seeing you have the relevant visa/permit, look into your background and qualifications. If you have a residence permit/visa then you have it, you are golden.

 

 

I have no degree nor teaching experience, yet they still assure me that it's not required and the job guarantee for China is still in place.

I live in Australia and it is an Australian college, so I'm hoping the colleges credibility claim is genuine to some extent.

 

A degree and teaching experience is a stated requirment for teaching in China. However, a quick search on this forum (for example) would show you that these rules are 'flexible' in certain circumstances and areas. In particular, areas that struggle to hire foreigners because of the schools location (usually well off the beaten track). Don't mistake what I'm saying here as disagreeing with what you've found out. Actually, what you've found is largely correct. For an 'easy ride' into teaching in China you really do need a degree and some experience.

 

 

I have questioned the gentleman who enrolled me and other 'higher ups' at the college in regards to this information.
However, they claim they do not know of these difficulties or laws and to 'not worry'.

 

Giving the company the benefit of the doubt, they might have some arrangement with schools in China. It's a possibility at least. I would be more inclined to say that the company really doesn't care what happens to you after you complete the course. They just want you to pay them for the course. It is a bit underhanded if they say a 'job is guaranteed' if they don't have an arrangement with someone. Most companies just don't mention it or make any guarantees. When I completely the CELTA they told us all straight at the 'job advice' seminar that if you aren't a native speaker, you'll struggle in most countries. Good news for the few non-natives in attendence.

 

 

I was just hoping someone could send me a direct link to an official site with this information so I can provide it as evidence to the college I have enrolled with.
I can't find this information myself, as I assume it's on a Chinese immigration site in Chinese text.

 

You looking to get a refund?

 

This may sound a little harsh but you really needed to look closely at the job requirements for China before committing to do this course. Regardless of whether the courses website/staff say they can get you a job, this is just one source. One source of information that has it in their interests to tell you what you want to hear so you'll buy the course they offer.

 

If you've paid, it's non-refundable and you are already in the middle of classes then I'd just complete the course as best you can. Even if you do find something from the Chinese govt about this, can the college read it? You've already paid ... will they care?

 

There is still a chance you will find a job in China it just might take you a little longer because of the lack of degree. Whatever you do, make sure you don't accept working on anything other than the correct visa/residence permit. Be especially wary of schools that might ask you to come to China first on a tourist visa and that they'll 'transfer' your visa when you get here.

 

Good luck! let us know how it goes.

[sevens7ar]

Thank you very much for the information!

 

Basically your saying, if I can get the Z working visa before I leave Australia (assuming, and I'm not condoning illegal practices, a school or agency can 'pulls some strings') I'm pretty much safe?

 

As I said, I just don't want to be left in a position where I can't enter China for 3-5 years.

I have some very good friends and my girlfriend in China. They have their own life and work schedules, so she is limited to visiting Australia only once per year.

I don't want to be limited to only seeing her once per year should I get banned from re-entry.

 

I'm not necessarily looking for a refund, it would be good to have some additional credentials under my belt. However, that 'official' information would be good to have for arguments sake.

I'm not too worried about the teaching experience, but if it comes to it, I will complete a 3 year degree whilst doing, or at the end of this course.

 

Again, I thank you for the information. You have helped gain some of my confidence back.

[roddy]

"I am yet to hear back from the admin of the Chinese Foreign Teachers Union with this information "

He's been very busy lately. I'd advise against linking to the site, people will assume you ARE one of its admin's numerous accounts. If you want a source for the degree+2 years requirement, here you go.

[sevens7ar]

That thread link is referring to the owner/admin of the CTFU site?

I sincerely apologize and can see why you would advise against linking to his site. 

Is there a way to edit my post and I'll remove the links?

 

The second link is exactly what I was looking for.

Thank you very much!

 

I appreciate the quick responses.

[ChTTay]

 

Basically your saying, if I can get the Z working visa before I leave Australia (assuming, and I'm not condoning illegal practices, a school or agency can 'pulls some strings') I'm pretty much safe?

 

I'm saying if the Chinese government grants you a Z visa / residence permit knowing your situation/qualifications THEN it's unlikely they will, at a later date, check your qualifications, find you don't have a degree and then punish you in some way. You already would process the right to live and work in China so unless you do something terrible the police/PSB are unlikely to check you all over again and decide that, actually, they don't want you here. I mean, it's China so maybe it could happen ... but I wouldn't worry about that scenario.

 

However, if you obtain the right to live and work in China via fraudulent means (fake degree etc) then that's a whole different story.

 

Your biggest concern will be finding an employer both willing to and with the means to hire you without a degree.