WHAT IS TEFL?

TEFL, (teaching English as a foreign language), is great overseas employment for nice people. It is serving developing countries that need to catch up technologically. The language of technology and computers is English. These countries including China, (a few are super-powers, despite this technology gap), realize the need for English-literate scientists, diplomats, translators, teachers, business leaders, tourism managers, agents, and guides. Lands on every inhabited continent beg English language instruction. Most classes are taught in a slow English, much like that broadcasted, at times, by the English-language secular government short-wave radio outlets -- BBC, VOA, CRI (China Radio International), etc. Almost all English-language courses lectured here are called, Oral English.

PAY AND PERQUISITES

China offers adequate pay, plus free living quarters. Besides room, other perquisites include a travel allowance, plane tickets reimbursed, Internet access, free Mandarin Chinese lessons, and furnishings for your apartment or “suite.” The salary is from 4,000 yuan to 10,000 per month. Beginners, especially those without degree, should not expect more than the minimum. At the time of this writing, a 4-year degree draws 4,000 minimum, a master’s 4,500. And, just now, the Mainland does not seem to own fetish against legitimate “unaccredited” degrees. By “legitimate unaccredited degrees” I mean earned degrees from Bible colleges, other Christian institutions, and earned degrees from technical colleges. Many life experience degrees are valid, by virtue of competence of the owner, but are not accepted in some countries where TEFL is big. Taiwan will not take them. In my opinion, the Mainland probably will accept some. Besides the money, schools usually provide free housing. The living quarters at China colleges and universities are most often unshared furnished apartments, with telephone, cooking facilities in the kitchen, and a color television. Quite often, these employers provide a computer and free Internet. Other benefits schools supply at times include D. V. D., air-conditioning, a toaster, and a portable stereo, for use in class. Colleges and universities very often offer free Mandarin Chinese and kung fu classes, to teachers who ink with them.

WHO CAN DO THIS?

Any person with a native English accent, can work in TEFL. Actually, even those with slight foreign accents, whose English competency is high, can secure jobs. I know, first-hand, of one such exception, who taught for a famous public university, in China. Find China college and university offers at www.chinatefl.com or Dave's Esl Cafe. Numerous tefl job sites can be located on any search engine. Use the prompt line, "teach university English in China," or one similar. Deal directly with the schools' fao or international offices -- not with recruiters.

A degree of any sort is almost always a prerequisite to teach college or university in the P. R. China. Age can be a factor. A person over 65 will be able to teach in some rural provinces, and in China's northeast. All China is open to all those younger. ..............................................................................................................................

Clair Lasater has taught English at the Beijing Youth Political College; and as professor, at Zhangjiajie College of Jishou University, Ling Ling University -- (now the Hunan University of Science and Engineering), Shunde Polytechnic College, Maoming University, and Hainan University. He lectures, currently, at Shandong Jiaotong University.