I am an avid user of echinacities.com as it provides me with news stories, meaningful blogs, and of course opportunities for job.
I am an English teacher from the Philippines who had worked for more than 15 years as an English teacher, here in my country and in China. I speak English fluently, pronounce English words accordingly and can cope with accent as I had to undergoAmerican Accent training before I left for China way back 2007. And of course, here in my country, Western English is all over ---on TV, on the internet, on computer games, music, movies, (95% of anime is in English), and I have to teach correct pronunciation and intonation in my classes.
Prior to my employment as an English teacher, I studied English language and literature in my college days, enrolled literature subjects in the Graduate school-unfortunately not finished- and had pre-service (and in-service) trainings in teaching English as a second language.
My teaching stint in China gave me additional experience in the field, and I believe I am even more able this time in terms of English teaching and dealing with Chinese students. I know their strengths and weaknesses in English, and my good sense of humor allows me to create a friendly English atmosphere in class.
This is how I qualify myself as an English teacher, especially in China.
And although my former school here in my Province gave me teaching load, I asked that it is temporary. This is because I wanted and would still want to go back to China if I given another chance.
Some Chinese intermediaries offered me jobs in some schools in the North, but everytime we start with the negotiations, the problem about visa or working permit for me would just prop up like a rock that would suddenly roll its way down to block our way.
Just today, my Chinese agents asked me if I could get to China myself because of a school somewhere. I told them about the difficulty in getting visa here. This have been the case since july when I started looking for another school. We would stop where visa is concerned. They said application for working visa for Non-native English speakers is tough because the visa law is strict.
I would then say 'that's ok.' In fact, I wasn't able to go back last July or August because my agency in Zhejiang Province failed to get working permit for me. They said they are trying their best to get me back. But until now, they couldn't send me any paper.
I'm just wondring because I left some friends in China and they are still working in public universities there. I don't know if there is any difference between being in China and being outside after June 30, 2013.
I wish there will still be a chance for me and other teachers who are really interested to work with Chinese schools. I hope there is no discrimination or any political string attached to this situation.
I have come to love China and working in China, being with young Chinese students, and enjoying theChinese culture and environment.
I hope another window will open for me.
Tags:Visa & Legalities
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I choose to disregard the accusations and comments made here,as they are to a very large extend inaccurate and non-substantial.I'm not saying Sally is faking a situation here but I think her reasons for not being able to get a work visa are personal rather than inclined to some general rules.Yeah its true that the political relationship between China and the Philippines have not been the best recently but at same time you can't deny the fact that there are tons of Filipinos and residents of other non-native English countries legally teaching in China. I'm a Cameroonian expert working here since 2008 and has never had any problems at visa level.In my honest opinion,CHINESE ARE NOT RACIST,sure they are discriminatory on social level,same as you will expect from most humans but we ,foreigners do take china for granted quite often.I need not go into a comparative analysis here.. Back to Sally, From your credentials mentioned I have no doubt in your competency.But we all know china operates on strict bureaucratic norms where documented evidence is the order. I think you need to ask yourself 2 questions: 1)Can the school or agency legally employ foreign experts?Cos most will claim that status while in fact its not the case. 2)Do you have a bachelor degree and teaching certificate.These are clearly spelled out rules which might be bent for native speakers but it cant be considered racism if same illegality is not applied in your case. I 'm certain you will have no problem at the visa office if the above 2 questions are positive. In any case,I wish you the best of luck
Nov 11, 2013 10:50 Report Abuse
I believe you just got caught in between a political dispute between China and the Philippines. Also, some provinces "interpret" the laws differently than others provinces so you will never get uniform application. Try to look into rural China or small cities where less teachers want to go. These places have a harder time recruiting those from the "Big Five" because many want to go to larger cities. Try to contact schools on your own. The agency you mentioned might be correct in that they can't get you a visa, but then again they might be lying to you to get you to leave. In China it's hard to tell.
Nov 10, 2013 11:45 Report Abuse
As mentioned by DaqingDevil, China is a difficult route for us Filipinos, and other non-native speakers as well. I'm sure by now you are in-the-know as to the "whys" of it. I honestly don't have any idea how to get there legally by not having to go through their "strict" requirements. Perhaps we can try other options in neighbouring countries? I myself have been trying, but to no avail. Sucks, but that's just the way it is...however, don't let this despair you...just keep trying! By the way, do you have a TEFL or TESOL certificate? If you do, where'd you get it? Best of luck!
Nov 08, 2013 23:11 Report Abuse
Sally you are right. Existing visas and permits prior to September for Philippine nationals are still being honoured. However, as I have found out, nearly all provinces in China are adopting the rule that only native speakers are to be employed as teachers and be given working visas. I tried to recruit 2 Filipinos and 1 Pakistani into my school (their English and experience were great)but received the same answer that although the school would love to have them the government will not even entertain providing Expert Certificates and visas if they don't come from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand! That's the rule and while you might want to point the racist finger at them I find it hard to fathom a logical reason for it. This policy is making the country fall very short in teacher requirements so I suggest a wait and see as maybe the rule will be changed in the future. I would also like to add that many non-native speakers who were teaching English were somewhat below acceptable levels so maybe the government is just crossing ALL non-native speakers off their list without looking at individual cases.
Nov 08, 2013 10:01 Report Abuse
Sally we are both in the same situation, I'm still here in the Philippines, can we talk this is my skype mae2970
Nov 08, 2013 09:59 Report Abuse
For some reasons at least- Chinese are extremely racists, Chinese are corrupted and Chinese are bully. They are lack of brain to realize that its temporary they have power as this apple is all rotten inside. They gonna fall and beg others for help but who would help such hypocritical nation of money. They even don't have anything spiritual. The whole life meaning is food and money. They refuse visa everyone but I wonder what if we kick out tons of Chinese out of all countries. So my friend, ain't no justice among them.
Nov 08, 2013 01:02 Report Abuse
Ha! And the Philippines is a hub of spirituality, then? I've been there too; those sanctimonious, opportunistic cowards make the Chinese look positively divine! No starving, unwanted Catholic beggar children on the streets of China, and it's safe to let your kids walk the streets here after dark. I can sympathize with visa problems to a certain extent, but you must keep in mind the history of cruelty that the Philippines has displayed towards Chinese citizens, as well as conflicts over fishing waters (China is strong but wrong there). They're bullying you because they can, and your compatriots have shown they will do worse if given the opportunity. China hates Filipinos, and I can't blamethem for that. I do wish they'd refrain from disadvantaging innocent citizens solely for their nationality, but that a wish upon a star. Tough break, but it takes two to tango.
Nov 21, 2013 16:22 Report Abuse
There are some Filipino teachers working in my city in Xinjiang Province and as Xinjiang is a 'special' place there's no doubt they're working here legally, so they obviously have the correct visa. Perhaps you could think of making some inquiries out here? Good luck!
Nov 05, 2013 16:36 Report Abuse
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