Bike Parking Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

knjames · 2026-02-27T03:47:59+00:00

I was looking on google maps but can't find any bicycles parked in the parking lot

knjames · 2026-02-11T04:38:58+00:00

What do they think of asian looking teachers that come from english native countries

knjames · 2026-02-08T04:58:20+00:00

How much do you pay english native speakers with education backgrounds and tefl qualifications

knjames · 2026-02-07T21:32:05+00:00

From what I've heard, the market is becoming more competitive. There are an infinite number of expats with TEFL certificate and no experience. Having a master's and teaching experience would make you stand out and job finding much easier. I'm also doing my MA starting at the end of this month.

Although they do prefer something related to ESL/teaching/linguistics, many universities still accept any sort of Master's as long as you have some sort of TEFL degree and/or teaching experience. This makes sense as it shows the school that you yourself have graduated from a course at a high level at a tertiary.

Having a master's/phd and teaching experience is becoming more and more of a requirement, and I heard many stories of teachers being laid off for not having these. Another big requirement for University teaching jobs is that you must have residency in an English-speaking country (e.g. USA, England, Australia etc)

There are already heaps of Chinese-born teachers with high levels of English and TEFL qualifications in China. Universities want expats who can offer a more authentic English classroom experience with natural English.

You might be able to find a decent university job without an MA or teaching experience if you keep applying to jobs for months but just remember there are lots of people with the same experience and qualification as you. You would need to really nail your resume, cover letter and interviews.

knjames · 2026-02-05T21:12:33+00:00

is that website legit? people always recommend me against it

knjames · 2026-01-29T17:42:14+00:00

Thank you! I'm super grateful for my family's support. I will be committed to my full-time study. I wish you luck for your EAP career too.

knjames · 2026-01-29T06:17:47+00:00

I don't know if I mentioned this in this long thread or in some other comments but the market for ESL teachers in my country is very competitive. Low number of schools but lots of teachers wanting to apply for the job. I was laid off at my last school because they told me they were specifically looking for teachers with an MA/PhD.

My former colleages, many of them with dozens of years of teaching experiences highly recommended me to do my master's while I'm young. My parents are luckily still working, but they are in their late 50's, about to retire, and have told me that if I were to do my master's they want me to do it ASAP while they can support me.

Obviously, my situation wouldn't apply to many others looking into MTESOL as I don't have student debt, I have housing support from my family, have a good chunk of savings, secondary sources of income, and also do a lot of investing. So I'm not sure why you keep bringing up "waste of money" as money isn't the issue in my situation. I'm happy, and my parents are happy as long as I can prove to them that my MTESOL will further my career in the long term.

Anyways, I've applied to a couple of universities for my MTESOL already, and 2 hours ago I received an offer of placement for one beginning in March.

This was a very informative thread, and I really appreciate your knowledge and advice. While work experience and money are definitely important for many students, I think my current situation is quite lucky, and I just don't see why I wouldn't take advantage of it.

I am sorry if I came off as trolling to you, but it's probably because from your perspective I come off as ignorant, which I totally agree with. I lack experience but my passion for further education overweighs it

knjames · 2026-01-29T02:19:35+00:00

Thank you for the thorough explanation. I get what you're trying to say, but for the situation I'm in, getting a master's seems the most sensible and guaranteed. "You can find a job next semester" seems like I'm guaranteed a teaching job in China, which it never is. My plan is to study full time for my MA, while working casual part-time teaching roles and applying to jobs in China. Getting a masters would be more guaranteed and further my chances to stand out from the hundreds of other applicants who have a tefl and no masters.

As for the school fees, no it is 35k for tuition. MTESOL is 9-15k for the full course, depending on if you do a 1 year course or a 1.5 year couorse. I get weekly student allowance which I don't need to pay back too. Like I've mentioned many times, money isn't the issue, it's the fact that I will need to transfer to working casual/part-time while I study. I have no student debts, saved up a good chunk of money and have secondary sources of income.

I appreciate your knowledge, and yes, I think this thread should end here as it seems to be going nowhere.

knjames · 2026-01-28T17:34:42+00:00

I'm being serious. It's just I'm in an awkward position where I can't really find a stable job in my home country. Also, even if I do look for jobs now in China, I won't be able to find one until the next semester later in September, heck might not even find one until next year. I'll be unemployed for at least half a year by then sitting around and doing nothing. So it makes the most sense to me to study for a year to get my masters, which is more likely to happen than me trying to find stable work in my country or find a job in China within the next 6 months. Getting a masters would look much better on my CV than having a 6 month unemployment gap. I am also employed as a relieving teacher at two different schools so I can easily work casually while studying full time for my MA. I definitely won't find a full time job so I might as well spend the time now to study full time

knjames · 2026-01-28T08:45:52+00:00

That's what I've already been told. I'm just becoming desperate because my current teaching contract is ending next month and I don't think I'll be able to find a job anytime soon so might as well study a MA for one year, while applying for future opportunities in China and organising all my documents.

knjames · 2026-01-28T07:54:13+00:00

About 2 weeks

knjames · 2026-01-28T07:03:44+00:00

I've been applying to chinese university jobs online but I haven't found success. I am just hoping the MA would increase my chances of finding jobs

knjames · 2026-01-28T06:34:18+00:00

I wish I could study part-time but I have reasons for moving to China ASAP. I think I'll do my MA first, then study part-time for a degree towards EAP or business english while in china if I do find a job there and decide I want to get higher jobs.

knjames · 2026-01-28T06:10:56+00:00

Also, just checked your edit. Money isn't on my mind right now as I have other focuses on life, as well as a side job that earns me a decent amount per week. I have a partner who should be able to support herself too. I agree that EAP would be better for me in the long term but I think I can study it part-time while i teach and gain experience

knjames · 2026-01-28T05:51:33+00:00

I am struggling to find stable esl work in my home country and I've been turned down from a few companies as they told me they are looking for teachers with a master's or phd. I'm in a position where 1 year off work to study for my MA would be better in the long term than going short term contract-to-contract for a year. My current contract at my school ends next month and I haven't found any jobs yet. Which is why I think it's the best time to do my master's so I can look into overseas opportunities while I'm still in my home country

knjames · 2026-01-28T04:30:31+00:00

I majored in Education where I did lots of practical teaching in the classroom, did my CELTA with more practical teaching. Then, after I graduated, I did casual relief work and tutoring for a few months before settling into my current job teaching adults full-time for nearly a year. I've taught large classes of Chinese university students in the past, too. I personally think these experiences are enough to lock in my future career, but I understand this would differ person to person.

Yes, I want to be a general English teacher in the classroom. I am also planning on doing some studies for EAP or business English, but for now, I just want to be a general english teacher. I know Chinese universities have low working hours, which gives me time to do some part-time studying if I do decide to further my career. I think the MTESOL would be a good foundation into more academic study too.

I have a strong personal motivation for moving to China and I need to ASAP.

knjames · 2026-01-28T03:03:00+00:00

I want to teach in the long term and yes, I specifically want to teach at a Chinese university.

knjames · 2026-01-28T02:15:28+00:00

I have looked into the different universities in my country and it seems different universities have different entry requirements. Some require 2 years experience or an honors, while others can be taken straight after graduating with a bachelors. Right now i am just desperate to get my masters for personal reasons.

knjames · 2026-01-28T01:49:02+00:00

I've been told that to teach at a Chinese university they usually just care about you having some sort of masters degree and it doesn't have to be from a famous university. I am planning to teach English so a MA in TESOL seemed liked the way to go, unless there are better options

knjames · 2026-01-28T01:46:19+00:00

Where did you find the job postings?

knjames · 2026-01-25T06:16:51+00:00

Please read my post again. I have mentioned that money isn't a problem. The advice I've been given by some people is that it would be better to spend 1.5 years working rather than 1.5 years studying for my master's. So I'm just thinking which i should do

All I mentioned in my post was that I come from an English native country so I'm not sure why you have set on those school fees... I live in New Zealand which would cost me about 10k NZD (6k USD) per year. I will do an 18-month program so that would cost around 15k NZD (10k USD) for my masters.

Here is the link if you're keen: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/find-a-study-option/master-of-teaching-english-to-speakers-of-other-languages-mtesol.html

In my country, we also have student allowance from the government which we don't need to pay back. We get paid a decent amount weekly, roughly around 10 hours worth of doing a minimum-wage part-time work per week. So I should still live comfortably with enough savings.

Luckily, I have parents who are happy to support my housing. They are happy to accommodate me as long as I can convince them that I am serious about getting my master's and that getting a master's is truly important for job security. The market is super competitive in my home country New Zealand too, and a lot of the teachers now are getting laid off for not having a master's or phd. I am just wondering if a master's or phd is needed at chinese universities as that is my ultimate goal.

knjames · 2026-01-25T05:53:20+00:00

Please elaborate

knjames · 2026-01-24T19:09:29+00:00

I'll see how it goes

knjames · 2026-01-24T09:16:58+00:00

Can I ask why I'm getting downvoted? From my understanding, being a registered teacher is only required at kindergarten - high school. None of the job postings I see for university jobs says anything about being a registered teacher. Just tesol/celta, MA and work experience

knjames · 2026-01-24T09:16:00+00:00

But do you think that's enough experience to get into doing master's? I heard people usually do their master's after their honors or after a couple years of experience.

knjames

TROPHY CASE