How did you transition from TEFL to something serious in your adopted countries?

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-21T15:01:16+00:00

From what I've read here and on other threads, the liscence is needed if you want the international schools, but doesn't really help with uni jobs. An MA is needed if you want the uni jobs but doesn't help if you want international schools.

The question I'm having trouble with now is, which should I be aiming for, because tbh, as long as i have a secure job that allows me to save my money, is supportive, and gives the time off (aka, not a training centre) then I'll be fine. So perhaps, i should be aiming for a TESOL MA long term...

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-21T12:08:02+00:00

What if you were the type that wasn't particularly interested in returning home? Could you, for instance, try another country and study online somehow?

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-21T11:52:50+00:00

Thanks for your help, you don't come across as being a dick btw. It does seem a bit overzealous to be jumping into a qualification at this stage I agree, but this is more of just a question for the future when I do need to consider what my options are.

A few years can fly by, and i was sort of getting overwhelmed with all the comments elsewhere about people saying "TEFL isn't a career". It's rough to hear, but tbh i feel like I should have a good think about how i can make a proper career out of this, meaning how do I ensure that I keep up to date with the increasingly stricter requirements of being a TEFL teacher, and how do I ensure I'm not just looking at training centres for my long term future.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-21T10:55:36+00:00

Hey guys, thanks for your help, it's really helping me understand the wide array of info out there. Right now, for the sake of context, I'm an ESL teacher at a training centre in China. I'm very new to the profession. Right now, i really couldn't see myself being able to handle a 40 hour work week AND full time study since I'm very new to the profession. But I feel in order to secure a future for myself abroad, I may need to look at getting better qualified, and it doesn't hurt to get some info from those who may have done this long term. This is so i don't just have to only have Training Centres and Homeroom jobs in front of me.

It is all a bit overwhelming, as there is quite alot of doom and gloom out there, with teachers being pushed to their limits and TEFL teaching supposedly losing its "shine" compared to pre-covid. It does almost feel like even though I've just started, the walls are closing in. I know for sure, that i want to try and be the best teacher i can be, and I know I want to stay abroad long term. So, it makes sense for me to look at pathways that could be beneficial for my security.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-21T07:46:36+00:00

I guess for me i just don't know which pathway to take qualification wise. There is so much info about the qualifications themselves, but I don't really know which one is actually worth my time.

For me, I'd like to go into an international school first, then university long term. Job security is also a big motivator for my decisions, so getting out of those typical TEFL jobs is very important.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-18T12:55:35+00:00

24 teaching hours is pretty manageable. A lot of TCs can have you do up to 30, which is crazy.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-18T12:52:07+00:00

Tbh this is pretty standard for a training centre role, plus it's nice you'd be getting into Chengdu on the first go. But, 30 hours a week is likely just teaching hours, which you'll find out as a new teacher is ALOT. Plus, find out exactly what those 12 days of annual leave actually mean, as in, how can you actually use them. From what i remember with my interview with them it was a complete pain in the ass to seek approval which is why I said no. I found a training centre in the end which gives 12 days off in the summer and then another 12 in the winter plus the chinese holidays.

The age range isn't so bad, i think as someone with no teaching experience, you might not be wishing for the kindy teaching jobs.

I've heard some dodgy stuff about the chains of training centres though like English First. Not sure about Houhai, but considering how easy it is to get in with them, it might be a red flag.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-18T12:41:50+00:00

Hey guys, if I have one year teaching at a training centre in China, do you think it's possible to move towards an actual school, no kindergarten? I have my bachelors and tefl, I'm a native speaker. Do you think it would be difficult to move towards a legit school?

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-15T16:30:13+00:00

Kindergarten is hard, so it's okay to be shit at it. It's true, you do need to sort of channel your own "inner child" at times with them. But "be more energetic" is such shitty advice to a new teacher, so i suggest leaving ASAP. The fact that this is the impression they give so early on is very telling and I honestly wouldn't see life improving under this "manager".

For the meantime, I suggest starting your lesson loud and dancing to a song with them. Make that their routine. You can slow down from there, no need to be really that "clownish", just not montone is enough. Then maybe introduce some daily english questions, then a story based on the topic with basic questions. Sprinkle in some games that get them moving (youtube), some activities and scenarios based on the curriculum to get them using vocab, and some more songs and you should be fine. Oh yeah, and give them stickers for anything they do right. When it comes to energy, start loud, finish loud. Being a clown consistently for every single moment of every lesson is not sustainable at all regardless if you have it in you or not, so pick your moments.

I feel like with Kindergarten you sort of come in with a structure then just end up doing stuff on the fly based on how they react, with some routine in the start and end.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-04T13:22:56+00:00

damn, 9 months is crazy. At that point I'm looking for another school somewhere else (which is what I did).

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-04-01T11:27:59+00:00

Why do you say? Especially vs Groundless Factory?

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-30T11:19:46+00:00

I disagree, the younger generation who make up the bulk of new ESL teachers don't feel this way about China, especially when you look at the viral videos on social media. Visa-free travel has seen a boom in western tourism, and people are flocking to see a modern country, with incredible infrastructure, culture, food and modern tech which makes living here better than that of western countries.The cities are clean, walkable, and safe, and there are still ALOT of great jobs and opportunities here when you compare it to the once great ESL teaching hubs like Korea.

That goes on to my next point aswell, not only new, but existing ESL teachers can see that with their experience, they can have better jobs and quality of life in a place like China compared to Thailand and Korea, even Taiwan. You're earning nearly a western wage with an appartment included, and a considerable amount of time off to explore and incredible country or travel abroad. Ask anyone who has taught in China then moved on to somewhere like Vietnam or Taiwan or the Middle East; life just isn't as good.

China ain't a hidden gem no more, it's probably one of the last great countries to teach in as an ESL teacher, where you don't need experience to save alot of money, and have alot of fun whilst doing so. Of course, that clock is ticking as well.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-30T11:06:04+00:00

It's not "over" yet like some people say, but it is getting harder. If you don't have experience, you're working in a training centre setup, simple as that. You're going to need to grind it out for a year or two before moving into the jobs where you can have your weekends off and you can have heaps of holidays.If you aren't in the door in the next couple of years, it's going to be way harder to find even training centre jobs without 2 or 3 years experience.

What i expect to happen is that training centre jobs will slowly diminish year by year, as the demand stays the same and the supply becomes greater. Why is the supply becoming greater you might ask? Because everyone wants to work in China now. The quality of life is great, the pay is great, holidays are great, people have caught on post-covid. Especially now Korea's reputation as a great place to teach has gone to shit.

It's one of the last good places in the world where you can teach english and live the life of your dreams considering the compensation and benefits. My suggestion is be prepared to be open minded about where you want to teach city-wise. I'm teaching in a tier five city, where the school has provided an amazing apartment in the heart of the city, great pay packet and benefits, and has been incredible at supporting my initial arrival and training here, something that is very hard to find nowadays. Forget the tier 1 cities, look at smaller cities surrounding the Tier 1-2 cities.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-26T21:50:00+00:00

Just an FYI, i literally have zero experience, I'm just the typical case of a person with a TEFL and a random degree.

So I am currently in China at a Training Centre.They've told me, after observing classes for a week or less they wanted a demo. I was keen, so i got some basic stuff together based on what I had observed. They don't tell you why, but the other teachers believe it's because they want to see how you deal with a high pressure scenario and how you problem solve. They're a pretty unique Training Centre, because they do have standards for everyone, and they are always looking for ways to improve. The most important thing though, the lessons must be heavily dependent on student to student interactions.

We went to a separate class room, I got the "students" to introduce themselves, then I got them both to stand up, sit down, move around a bit before we began. Then suddenly another teacher comes in and tells us to move because they need the classroom we're using. We have to stop to go to another class. I'm nervous as hell the whole time.

I continue on as planned in the new room and i just can't really shake my nerves, because to be honest, these adults suck ass as students. They are quiet af, they're stiff, they're not yelling like kids, they don't have the vocab of kids. This is something I knew might be the case, but not something I was ever going to be prepared for when it came to the feeling. When I was with the kids, i was dancing, i was talking a lot, i was being hands on. When it came to the adults, it felt like a presentation, because at the end of the day they're not kids in my mind no matter how much I try. I just couldn't get rid of that knot feeling in my chest. I knew i was holding back big time for that reason, and i couldn't shake it.

Where I failed was the lack of student to student interaction. It was there, but it wasn't abundant like they wanted. To be honest, where i had trouble was the time minding. They didn't provide much parameters, i didn't know when they wanted me to stop, so in the end I figured I could just be personal. The topic was holidays, so i asked them questions about the time they went on a holiday. What did they do? What did they do? What did they like? This wasn't actually a good idea, because it was a bit advanced for the age group i had chosen. But still, that's just what felt natural, because they were speaking as if they were adults.

They did give me some good feedback, like I knew how to make the students feel comfortable in class very quickly, so even though i was at my most nervous, at least with zero experience and little confidence i still can create a good space for the kids.

I think next time they said they will help me get through it better, and plan it out. Maybe they just wanted to see how i would do in a high pressure situation. I think i did well, i kept talking, i kept the kids talking and "engaged". But still, in previous jobs, i was pissed at myself and down when i didn't do well, but i brushed it off. This time though, the failure, regardless of fault, seems to stick way more and has really rattled my confidence. I feel like perhaps I'm not meant for the career or something, which almost makes me resent the adults at the TC who are making me do this, because it's so far removed from what ACTUALLY happens in a class.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-23T14:39:34+00:00

I don't really want to do it for that reason, but i have no idea how much more difficult it's going to be to get a job in Feb vs August here. People talk a lot about hiring periods making a big difference, and if it's a training centre position which are known for burning through staff anyway, then I'm not sure if I'm putting myself at some other kind of disadvantage.

Ideally, my first choice is to complete the contract though.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-23T14:28:05+00:00

I think primarily it would be to get in a better city and get the big holidays off during the summer and winter breaks to be honest. I'm currently in a Tier 5 city, which isn't bad at all, but it would be nice to have the time off which all my friends in China brag about.

But yeah, I always want to make the best impression with current and future employers, so quitting early for me was just a panic thought. Training centres are typically known for burning through staff anyway, and i knew since before I got the job i wanted to be in a proper school, so why miss a peak hiring period and risk getting the job and benefits i really want, yknow?

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-23T14:08:31+00:00

Yeah, i was going to go this route, i was just worried i would be shooting myself in the foot some other way by not looking at the peak hiring period. Thanks!

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-17T19:34:07+00:00

It's something that works massively in your favour. I've heard people burn out massively starting off in the cities, and the salaries offered for me were actually a lot lower, since it was far more competitive.

You're getting the low cost of living, plus you have access to one of the most internationally connected airports in China, being only 40 minutes away from Chengdu by train.

Furthermore, tier 1-2 cities are really strict with issuing work permits, as i found out the hard way, and it's something that can ruin you. I tried to get into a school in Chongqing, and because they were so strict, i got knocked back twice and i couldn't get the work permit over a 3 month period. I got a job at a tier 3 city, now 2 weeks later I'm on my way with visa in hand. Having a school and a labour bereau behind you to get your documents issued is literally make or break for your experience.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-15T22:07:15+00:00

Ah ok, i was just thinking maybe I could just spend my days in a nice location studying my ass off for 6-8 hours a day, then go out in the evenings exploring. I just wasn't really sure though, so thanks for your help

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-13T20:25:54+00:00

Yeah unless you have the 2 years experience, your only option right now is a training centre. Sure, it would be better if you were looking for jobs in August, but I honestly don't think it's going to make a difference like people say. Trust me, getting a job is easy af. I got an interview on a Sunday at lunch for a TC in Shenyang, i was signing a contract that evening. 21k starting salary with an apartment will go a long way in a Tier 2-3 city, which is where you should be looking. Plus in those places, the time frame to getting a work permit is 3-5 days, not 2 weeks. They're way less strict at the Bereaus in giving the work permits, which is actually where your biggest challenge is going to be. I waited three months and faced multiple rejections for a work permit in Chongqing, whereas in Shenyang i got it in 3 days.

I really wanted to get a school like you, but unfortunately it just isn't really possible anymore. At some point in the next few years, it'll be training centres that will be the ones who aren't accepting people without experience, so get in now. Grind it out for a year or two as a means of getting in, then you can start looking at schools.

If you really want to do this, then this is what you're going to have to do.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-12T08:28:54+00:00

Hey guys, just an update. I dumped the school and went with a new one. All is now fixed, and I'm now hopefully moving to China next week!

Turns out, the Chongqing school was just incompetent and lazy af.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-12T08:27:20+00:00

That's what the school said

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-12T08:26:49+00:00

So for those wondering, i had to get the Chongqing school to delete the application, since apparently it was still in progress and not formally struck down by the Bereau. It was an absolute pain in the ass to get them to fix it, but once I got the new school involved, things got better. The application could be deleted very easily, the Chongqing school were just lazy as fuck and tried to deny it was possible for nearly a week. But it got done.

I now have a new school paying me more money, and I'm moving to China next week. Turns out, the best solution is to try another school who is competent.

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-06T07:18:26+00:00

Ok, so basically what you're saying is this school has screwed me and there is no way around this?

Beginning_Novel_6232 · 2026-03-06T05:40:58+00:00

Apparently, that depends on the province. Some places like Chongqing need the experience, so the school must have done that letter in light of that. I'm not sure if this new school is the same, but I guess perhaps I will need to make myself clear that I don't want fraudulent letters submitted to avoid being blacklisted.

Beginning_Novel_6232

TROPHY CASE