| Q |
Garry, a
very warm welcome to the ajarn hot seat. You're 56 years old. I get quite a
few e-mails from gentleman in that age bracket who worry that their age
might be a barrier to finding TEFL work. Can you offer them any
reassurances? |
| A |
Not the case in China. We
are still wanted until 65. Some agencies/schools want younger teachers, but
others are happy to take experience over age. Sometimes the reasons are
dictated by area. |
| Q |
You
travelled around Thailand extensively over a period of seven years before
deciding to settle here permanently. Actually living in Thailand is a lot
different to being part of the tourist trail isn't it? |
| A |
Yes, It was
the land of my dreams until I started to work. |
| Q |
Er....righto.
Tell us how you initially got into teaching in Thailand. It all started with
a foot massage right? |
| A |
Yes, while having a foot
massage, I saw an African American sitting opposite me reading a book. I
asked him what he was reading and he mentioned that he was a teacher and
studying to give a student a test. I asked where he was working and what
qualifications were needed to teach. He stated that in some circumstances
little or no qualifications were needed, but a TEFL or TESOL and maybe a
degree was preferred. |
| Q |
You ended
up working at no fewer than six different Thai schools in three years.
That's a hell of a lot of schools. What kept going wrong? |
| A |
It's easy. No experience.
I did my TESOL training but didn't have any skills in applying that
knowledge. It took a while to learn, but by then I was starting to become
disillusioned. Some teachers loved my teaching style, but most saw it as a
threat to their existence. So out came the knives into my back. Thats
Thailand. |
| Q |
You
finally decided to pack your bags and head off to China, and that's what I
think most of the people reading this interview would be interested in. But
firstly - what was the straw that broke the camel's back? What made you
think 'enough is enough'? |
| A |
I was working on a direct
contract in a school near Chonburi. The salary was fair and conditions were
basic. The contract expired and a newly-arrived director wanted to enforce
the yearly change of 'farang' teachers, so all 3 of us were not rehired. I
accepted a job through the ajarn website in central Thailand. The agent
promised the world, but delivered nothing. My one-year contract ended up
being one term, so I cracked the shits and resigned. How dare they bring me
from Chonburi, 400 kilometers away, to the new school and then change the
contract. Other teachers there stated that the school had a history of ill
treatment to the foreigners and contract variances. I don't need to work for
pigs! |
| Q |
So let's
move on to China. I presume you did some research before you decided to take
the plunge. At that time, what fears or worries did you have about this
strange country? |
| A |
Of course this time I was
not going to be fooled by verbal promises. I wanted it in black and white. I
looked on the internet and found many sites seeking teachers. Some wanted
qualifications and some did not. I applied for several positions but didn't
get accepted. Then I contacted an agency called 'Cathay Teacher' who were
more considerate and really tried their best for me. Nothing was too
difficult. They offered me a few jobs and I selected one in a University in
central southern China. |
| Q |
So you had
a decent job to go to. |
| A |
After the problem in
Thailand I made sure everything was cut and dried. The biggest difference is
the professionalism. The contract, the visa and the resident's certificate
were all done very easily. How many teachers in Thailand are sick of
continual visa problems? Here everything was done for you and paid for by
the school. |
| Q |
You claim
to have found a 'TEFLers paradise' so let's delve deeper. Tell us about the
actual academic side of things. Who do you teach? What do you teach? How
many hours a day? And all that stuff. |
| A |
I am teaching oral English
to first year students (freshmen) at a semi-private university. The hours
are what attracted me to this position. I do 16 hours a week plus 2 hours
over-time. If you want to go into detail, it's six hours on Mondays and
Thursdays, four hours on a Friday, two hours on Tuesdays and I get Wednesday
off. |
| Q |
What about
the wedge? the wonga? the holding folding? How does the salary compare to
Thailand? |
| A |
The salaries vary
throughout China. In the tourist areas such as Bejing, Shanghai, Hong Kong
and Guangzhou, the pay is much more, but then so are the living expenses.
My salary is 5200 yuan plus 1450 yuan in overtime for the month. This is
roughly the same as a salary in Thailand. |
| Q |
And how
would you compare the cost of living? |
| A |
This is the kicker. It's a
third to a half of what it is in Thailand. No one can tell me that it's
cheap in Thailand - at least not for a farang. |
| Q |
I believe
you've got some nice bennies thrown in as well? |
| A |
Yes Philip, but these are
normal for most of China. All the perks are advertised on the web for all to
see. However some teachers have stated that this college has superior
accommodation to other places.
I've got a large furnished one-bedroom apartment (some have 2). The school
pays for air, heating, free utilities, phone, internet, food vouchers and
reimbursement of plane ticket (absolutely true) I got half of the plane
ticket cost reimbursed within 4 days of arrival (as per contract) and the
rest at the end of term. You get your own private office with a computer and
a phone. This campus also has its own bar, several canteens, restaurant,
doctors clinic, picture theatre and normal campus facilities such as a pool
and gym, etc. |
| Q |
Top
banana! You'll excuse my ignorance Garry but I've never been to China,
however, having read comments and reports on the ajarn forum, it seems to be
a place you either love or hate - there's rarely a middle ground. Is it easy
to see what gets people down about the place? |
| A |
Sorry friend, I cannot
agree. Everyone is friendly and all on this campus speak English. The
teachers are helpful and the local townspeople, while speaking little
English, always try to help. And there are no rip offs and no tips. The city
is superb. It has everything you could want at a really cheap price although
sometimes haggling might be necessary. The food is also spicy in this part
of China so no difference there. |
| Q |
Having
worked with numerous Aussies, Brits and Americans down the years, I've
always felt the Aussies are the best at simply 'going with the flow'. I
guess that's an important characteristic to have out there? |
| A |
I am sure that you know
about 'face'. It is as important here as it is in Thailand. If we don't
cause anyone to lose face then everything is ok. Besides, the pressure is
not the same. They already speak English and want to improve. My job is a
soda. |
| Q |
You got me
with 'cracked the shits' earlier on in the interview and you've battered me
into three falls and a submission with 'my job's a soda' but let's crack on.
So teaching in China vs teaching in Thailand? A summary kind sir. |
| A |
No comparison. Students
who want to learn vs students who go through the motions. No looking for the
knives either.......the ones from the teachers room. |
| Q |
Ah, those
unmistakable teachers room knives. I'm sure there's only one contender when
it comes to retirement though? |
| A |
Sure, I am an Aussie and
will retire between OZ and Thailand, but I am no longer counting the days.
Its good here and they accept individuality. |
