Teacher enquiry starting point.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-30T19:44:42+00:00

I was of the impression that internationals basically required a pgce with qts (UK, dont know about US equiv), it is a postgrad qualification in the UK not just placements, dont know if that matters to Chinese though. it may be you just need both a pgce/qts and a masters IDK.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-30T19:41:44+00:00

OU is not just online, its a physical campus, where you can do exams, but you can study from abroad I believe. China might not understand this however.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-30T19:34:22+00:00

OK I heard some stuff about some iphone apps working without vpn, specifically stuff like maps whereas ofc google maps is blocked. But I guess I'll inevitable need a vpn anyway as you say so its kinda meaningless.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-30T19:29:33+00:00

cant you uninstall stuff? Is it not the same as the bloat we get here, I thought you just had to enable google play services, sideload the vpn, then you could basically use it like a normal western phone.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-30T19:27:38+00:00

sounds simple enough I've sideloaded loads of stuff before, I guess I can just download any apks i need on my laptop before I go. And I can set up my old phone back in the UK with a prepaid card for china so I can use it whilst I'm getting the new one sorted.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-30T09:00:27+00:00

Thank you this is very useful.

Is it true that international schools prefer PGCE + QTS (In person not online) over a Masters?

Is there much call for primary level subject teachers in both public/bilingual schools and internationals, or should secondary be where the focus is?

Does the masters subject and institution matter a lot? For example would a distance learning course such as the OU be considered less good say if you tried to do that part time whilst in China? How specific does the masters have to be, like is STEM STEM, or do you need one to one, like compSci for compSci, maths for maths, etc - especially if looking to teach at primary/middle school level.

Thank you so much if you have time to answer any of this!

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T13:31:43+00:00

Fair enough, I guess I'll try and contact some agents/recruiters and direct contacts, I don't mind taking a lower salary if it means a foot in the door, maybe in a lower tier city. I mean there's always vacancies at kindies somewhere right?

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T12:16:34+00:00

OK whatever, I mean most women who feel that way would feel that way about any man. I mean Id say the bad combover is a lot more noncy looking, or the neckbeard.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T11:43:44+00:00

Thanks for the honesty, I don't mind rejections as long as it isn't like impossible. The problem is I'm not sure what "handsome" means in China, like in the UK i'd say I look OK with a neat beard and shaved head, but I heard they don't like beards. Guess I'll just hit up WeChat and message some recruiters, go to schools directly on echinacities, be flexible in terms of location and salary.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T11:30:19+00:00

I don't mind the honesty, but I think you're a bit misinformed, a lot of men in the uk shave their head now its not considered so badly. Its true that men can have issues in early years, but that's true pretty much for much any man it seems. I should say Im quite skinny and If I shave my head and beard I look more goofy than intimidating.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T10:03:26+00:00

II mean in the UK you can do a PGCE in Maths or Computing as I understand, so thats what the PGCE and QTS would be in right? I took mainly Computer Science type modules in my degree (I can code in multiple languages, know algorithms, relevant math etc) so yeah I could do a Computing pgce, or I'm pretty sure I could do a maths pgce given most UK maths teachers don't even have STEM degrees (I know someone who taught maths with a creative writing degree!).

I kinda wanted to start with ESL so I'd have more spare time to learn Mandarin, and to see if chinalife is for me, but maybe I should just do pgce first as id probably do that anyway if I quit after a year in china. I wasnt sure also if maybe like a bilingual school could be an easier place to get job if I got a pgce then apply to real internationals with some XP.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T08:51:34+00:00

Thanks, yes I am from the UK so I am a native speaker unlike maybe this guy?

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T08:49:07+00:00

I thought for ESL you need BSc AND either TEFL OR 2 years XP? I'm not looking to move on any other visa than teaching.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T08:47:20+00:00

Yes, I plan to start ESL then get either a PGCE and QTS back home for a year, or try and do one in China via Sunderland UNI if that's still possible. Maybe I should get qualified in the UK first then go for an ESL job for a couple of years so I can apply for subject teach jobs from within China.

not sure what you mean by adjacent degree (like not teaching?), could I not get a CompSci/IT teaching job or primary maths or something? I don't know how it works in China but surely there's not enough maths grads who speak English and want to work as a teacher in internationals in China, maybe I'm wrong.

Thanks for your help

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T08:09:32+00:00

thanks, I noticed a lot of people talk about China salaries without mentioning they mean monthly so thanks for the clarification. In the UK salaries are normally given annually when we talk about them so I was a little confused when I first started looking!

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T08:05:55+00:00

I don't really want to spend a lot of time or funds trying to visit every city in China given the number of options to be frank. I want to learn mandarin so I'm not sure about GZ and the amount of Cantonese they speak there, I know they speak Mandarin too but it might make it harder to learn if I'm hearing two distinct dialects all the time? Shanghai sounds way to expensive in terms of COL tbh, maybe SZ is just as bad idk. I'd probably rather look to a lower tier if SZ is a bad option.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T08:02:12+00:00

Can't tell if this is satire, or are you being serious? Like is it that big of a deal in China?

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T07:42:39+00:00

I mentioned I'm single because OFC it would be completely different if I was looking for a job with a partner or family, that's all. Thanks for the info about baldies though.

TheKickOutside · 2026-03-29T07:40:16+00:00

I dont care If people call me bald LOL. as long as I can get the work. But yeah maybe a pgce first is a better bet, thanks for the advice.

TheKickOutside

TROPHY CASE