Forums > Living in Kunming > To Teach in Kunming or Not To Teach

"I have enjoyed living here but if I had to do it again, I would have chosen Japan"

Japan also has shady contracts, especially if you work for private language schools. The biggest employer of foreign teachers in Japan abruptly shut down a few years back after not paying teachers for several months while at the same time asking them to continue working the whole time. They owner took all his assets and fled the country.

As an English teacher, Chinese students as a whole are a lot less shy and willing to take more chances and that makes for a much better teaching experience.

People in Japan are usually very generous and it can be a very nice place to live if you don't mind the weather and the quality of housing.

Forums > Living in Kunming > To Teach in Kunming or Not To Teach

"Why would you want to come to China at a time where I see things getting worse in terms of USA vs. China relationship"

If things continue to deteriorate like you predict, that means Trump has "won" reelection and this country is the last place anyone should want to return to. I mean look at this country's response to the virus. China isn't going to stop valuing English as a tool to communicate with the rest of the world.

Realistically, I don't see China as a place I could retire to (I'll go to Latin America for that) but I think it would be a fascinating experience and I enjoy teaching Chinese students.

Forums > Living in Kunming > To Teach in Kunming or Not To Teach

I understand the risks. I was contractually forbidden from doing it in Japan but did it anyway. Is someone ratting me out more likely in a place than Kunming than say a bigger city like Shenzhen?

Forums > Living in Kunming > To Teach in Kunming or Not To Teach

I'm pretty flexible about when I could come. I think August would be the earliest.

Yeah, the virus throws a giant wrench into the works. It probably doesn't help that I'm living in the state that's becoming notorious for the highest number of positive cases. So I'll need to see how this all plays out. Meanwhile I'm hiding out at home.

I'm starting to become convinced that teaching at a university at about 16 teaching hours a week and then picking up privates would be the way to go. Lots of liberty to teach how you want without parents demanding more homework. Does that sound doable in Kunming?

Forums > Living in Kunming > To Teach in Kunming or Not To Teach

Hello,

I'm an experienced teacher with Masters Degrees in TESOL and Education (and a TEFL certificate). I enjoy teaching abroad, lived in Japan and Chile where I taught for 3 years each, and am looking to do some more of it before I get too old (i'm 53) now that my kid is grown. Making a bit more money to pad out my retirement funds would be a nice bonus.

Not to sound arrogant but based on my research, finding good teaching work with my credentials should be easy anywhere in China as long as I recognize there may be pandemic issues including hotel quarantine.

Can you people recommend some schools and strategies for finding work in the area? Beanstalk seems to be a place hiring foreign teachers? I'd prefer high school and/or uni but I'm flexible. I hear high school pays better in China. I'm looking at Kunming because of the air quality and moderate temperatures (not a fan of excessive heat, humidity, freezing temperatures and giant clouds of impenetrable smog). I'm working under the assumption going through recruiters has some drawbacks and contacting schools directly would be preferable.

Any and all advice or comments would be very appreciated. Xiexie