I'm in Shenzhen. A quick google maps search gives me 17.5 hours by car. China is massive No, never heard of it. What is interlingua?
Just came off an interview for a school in China. Interlingua, in Guiyang. You know it? Where are you, again?
Ah, so it's a specific TEFL for China? That makes sense. The course I'm doing is standard TEFL plus TEFL for kids, so I would imagine there are other types.
I will let you know, yes. And I'm not entirely sure about skipping the training thing. I'm pretty sure the certificate I've been given only certifies me to teach in Asia. I can ask one of the coordinators here and get back to you. My GUESS is that you probably would have to go through their training, sorry :aimmeh:
They reopen about mid November, I think. I'm mad jealous. Do you have to do the August course on top of the standard TEFL course? I'd prefer it if I didn't have to spend another grand on training haha. Just read your blog; really interesting. It sounds like you're having a good time. I may copy your idea and start a blog about France while I'm here. If you hear about any other TEFL positions in China from anyone (reliable), would you let me know? It's a long shot, but it'd be pretty cool.
Yeah, I'm not entirely sure when the applications re-open for 2013, but keep checking back periodically. I don't think it's really that competitive to be accepted, but the sooner you apply, the better. I guess the good thing about working elsewhere for you is you can feel it out and see if you enjoy TEFL in general. I just kind of jumped in blindly, lol. I have a blog (waijiaoinshenzhen.blogspot.com) if you wanna read up on what it's been like so far.
That sounds amazing. I'm crap at speaking in front of a crowd, so that's my main hurdle. I'm just reading through that site now. smurfing hell. I want it. I want it now. I guess I'll have to wait till next August to start, though? I'm in France for as long as I want to be, really. I intend to get a 20 hour week, supplemented by working au noir (which basically means cash in hand through paper ads etc), so it's not too uncommon a desire. But trout me, if I could go straight to my dream place... Hmm... I may have to kill you and steal your face xD.
Yeah, it can be quite nervewracking. During our training we were teaching for 7 days a week in Beijing in what basically amounted to an English camp for rich Chinese kids. I was troutting my pants before the first lesson, but after you get through that it's not nearly as intimidating. If you're seriously interested in China, hit up CTLC China on google. The program I'm in is super-legit, and it's in Shenzhen, which is an amazing city. It's one of the few programs that works directly with the Chinese government to get us certified as teachers and they really take care of you. I've met some awesome people in the program too. It's a yearlong placement, though. How long are you in France for?
Haha, I'm definitely up for exchanging ideas. Gotta make the lessons fun! I'm really nervous about the course myself. I'll be teaching adults during it, even though I'm only 21 myself! I'd love to go to China. And Japan. Two places that are very high on my To TEFL list. xD
Yeah man, China has been a wild ride so far. I'm excited and nervous to teach the kids tomorrow. Maybe we can exchange lesson plans sometime
