Edgy investigative journalism mag VICE has published an article delving into the rapidly declining frontier of shady ESL gigs. “The Chinese ESL-Industrial Complex: How English Teachers in China Are Lied to and Exploited,” features interviews with a handful of teachers that backup the article’s exposition on bad teaching jobs in China.
While it’s a necessary article, and illustrates the present rough road as China transitions its ESL industry from the Wild West to a tamer more regulated place, it does seem to overly cater to the experiences of teachers who lack basic due diligence when taking a job in a foreign country. In summary, DO NOT WORK ON A TOURIST VISA. DO NOT WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT ASKS YOU TO. If the company can’t get you a proper visa, they are not a legitimate company. Period.
That article inspired me to write a short series of articles about my own experiences as a teacher in China. I go into details about read the contract, what to expect when you’re there, and (often overlooked) the problems with leaving a job.
Part 1 can be read on Geekistan. The 2 following articles are linked from there.
Excellent info Blaze, thanks for sharing.