A simple one, where in China are you staying? Might find someone near us or at least start discussion about cities.

I'll start. I live in Hong Kong, frequently in Shenzhen, Guangdong also.

hey Dean, After a few weeks i am heading to Changsha

Jean

Just arrived in Xianyang before the Spring Festival. The city is just west of Xian in the central province of Shaanxi. My contract runs through January 2011. There's loads of history in the area and some beautiful mountains I understand. I don't think I'll be bored.

Im in Huangshi in the Hubei provence..

Hi Dean, I have just started teaching in Tianjin.

Martin

Hi all, I'm in Pingdu, Shandong province, near Qingdao.  No other interns here, but a couple in Yentai about an hour or two away.

Helo All !   I am in my third year of China Teaching: First year in Yiyang (near Changsha) in Hunan Province, Second year in Jinzhong City (about an hour from Taiyuan, Provincial Capital) in Shanxi Province, and this year in Xinyu which is an hour via train from Nanchang, the Provincial capital.   I am about a 2 hour ride on the D train from jeanpoel21 in Changsha

Hi all,

I've completed my TEFL course and can't wait to start teaching! China is my first choice, however i have no idea where to head in China to begin with. I was thinking of Shanghai, does anyone have any info or advice?

Also i have been teaching at an orphanage, so i have a bit of experience, however i do not have a degree... is this going to be a problem in finding work or getting a visa?

Thanks Kay 

Hi Kay :)

I am off to China to teach this month. I do not have a degree. It can be a problem in some areas, but i haven't found it to be too much of a hinderance. You may find it a little difficult in Shanghai as it is a popular place they will have their pick of TEFL teachers, so they are likely to chose a teacher who has a degree. The experience in an orphanage will help you a lot. Have you got a letter of recommendation from them? If not, you should really try to get one!

Good luck with your search!

To Dean, the original poster, I will be in Handan and Shijiazhuang, both in the Hebei province at the end of this month! Very excited! :)

Hello everyone! I'm hopefully off to China for a six month placement from September (if the interview and everything goes according to plan :)! Can't wait for one massive adventure though the whole prospect is a tad daunting as well. My biggest fear is ending up somewhere on my own, with no other tefl-ers. If anyone has any advice on what cities are cool places to teach, I'd really appreciate it!!! Cheers xxx

Hi guys!

I'm looking for jobs now in Yantai. Is anyone teaching around here? Would be nice to make some friends!

Hi,

I'm in Jinan, Shandong Province. Moving to Hong Kong in September. China is great, so cheap! And the people are lovely, well in the smaller cities they are, less tourists you see. Can't wait to go to Hong Kong!

Xuzhou, Jiangsu province.  About midway between Beijing and Shanghai right on the main north/south train line.

I don't have a degree either, and my understanding is I can't get a Z visa without one.

G'day All,

I'm just about to finish a 21 month stint at EF Tangshanin Hebei Province. I will be going EF Taizhou in Zhejiang Province. If anyone has any questions about what to expect in and from China drop us a line and I'll see what I can do to help. 

It will nearly be impossible to get a placement in big cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin) with no degree, but there are plenty of places that can take you with no degree, a lot more if you have experience. You will need to find an important company with a lot of pull to get you proper visa's with no degree, if you wish to try for the big cities. ( I have no Degree and have had no problems with getting placed)

Jamie (Rochie) Rochfort

Hi,

I'm moving to Zhengzhou in August - quite excited! 

I have a degree so a Z-visa should be no problem but I don't have mine yet and I was wondering if anyone knew how long they take? The company which is employing me is organising it but I don't want to book my flights until I know that it will be organised in time!

Any advice for first-timers in China, @dean, @organist, @alexmcneice, @rochieinchina or anyone?

Anna xx

Hi Anna.. once you have everything they need from yourself and the company hiring it it doesn't take long.. a day or two at the consulate. Well thats in Australia I'm not sure where you are so it might be different there. One thing I did find with my last visa application for China was that they had not told us that the documents all had to be notarised.. ie signed by a notary and stamped with a wax seal.. that provided a huge hold up as we had posted everything to China for the company to get their bit done of the paperwork..(approx 10 days 'express' delivery) so it had to be sent back.. notarised and re posted.. then sent back and submitted.

And I am heading to China at the end of August.. I'll be staying in Liyang which is in Jiangsu province - approx 1 hour from Nanjing and 3 from Shanghai. I am not going for a teaching position as such though as my partner is currently working there as a consultant and I am going to join him.. but recently gained my TEFL certificate and have been offered work teaching communication English to some of the local companies. :)

Hello Suekime,

That sounds exciting!! Will it be your first time in China? 

I'm meant to start teaching in 4 weeks but work permit still not arrived from China as so much red tape, got my fingers crossed that it'll arrive in the next week or so, so that I can get it to the Embassy in London and get my visa! 

Teaching communication English sounds good, you think you'll go for it? :-) Anna xx

Hi Anna,

Nope not my first time in China, I was there about a month ago for a few weeks and my partner is currently working in Liyang. The red tape for a China visa is horrific but once you have everything you need it tends to go smoothly.. I found the biggest problem was getting conflicting advice from who ever served you on the day.. *sigh*...

I would like to try it.. (teaching communication English that is), and it would fill in some of some time as I suspect that I am about to find myself with a lot more spare time than I normally have (as in I normally have none lol).. I would ideally not want to work full time while there but a happy to do a few lessons a week for the local companies as they requested. :)

Good luck with your visa application!. Stay in touch if you like (suematic@hotmail.com).. I leave for China on the 25th August... 20 days.. but who's counting.. ;)

I will be leaving in on the 18th for Shanghai to spend one week there. My assignment doesn't start til 9/1 however, the school wants me to arrive in Wuxi by the 25th. I will be teaching primary/middle school English. This is all new to me and I welcome the journey. I have 12 years of substitute teaching but no Tefl or Tesol.

I just got my work permit and my invitation letter! This was a close call. My husband went to the Chinese Embassy today and dropped off my paperwork. We will be able to pick up my Z Visa Monday am, just in the nick of time before we depart on Wednesday. Are there any members in Wuxi?

You'll be close to me Dizy... I'm off to Liyang on Wednesday (25th August).. is that the same day as you?

Wuxi is one of the next towns over.. although Wuxi is huge - alot larger than Liyang!!! If you want to stay in contact my email address is suematic@hotmail.com  :)

Sue, yes I arrived last Wednesday. We are in Shanghai right now. I will send you an email

I'm in Handan right now with my boyfriend in the Hebei province. Anyone around there??

Anna I got my Z in Hong Kong. It was great fun and better than waiting around in the UK for it. I got the normal service that took 3 days but you can get the express service for more money in 24 hours.

I'm in Liaocheng, Shandong province. Anybody else?

Hi Everyone

I have just arrived in Baise City 220km NW of Nanning, the capital ofin the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region SW China. I am teaching at the Baise City Xifu High School. Start teaching tomorrow - in at the deep end with 6 classes- all Senior 2......hoping all goes well.

Cheers