Each month SIT TESOL Alumni who did the course at Rennert receive a monthly newsletter. Along with details of upcoming professional development seminars and workshops and teaching tips, they receive information about jobs. We are also currently developing a comprehensive job referral site for our website that will be password accessed byTESOL Certificate alumni.

In this month’s Alumni Newsletter’s job section we go to CHINA – a vibrant country full of the energy of an expanding outlook and opportunities. This is a great place to find work right now.

The scoop (word-of-mouth advice from someone who’s been there):
Nick lived in Shanghai for a year.

“I lived in the middle of Shanghai. It was awesome – it’s a really exciting city. It has the feeling of opportunity; an enthusiasm; as if you’re a part of something they will write about in the future. It’s a lot of fun – there is a solid group of expats.

I found my job on Daveseslcafe.com. I did lots of research – my tip would be “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”. For example, if the salary offered is much higher than most jobs, then it’s probably not real. I sent my resume via email and had a phone interview. You need a four-year degree plus a certificate is preferred. Getting a visa wasn’t so hard. You need a letter of introduction, but the school provides that. I was a little nervous because I’d never done the whole process, but it was very easy. I was also nervous on the plane – you always wonder if you’ll arrive and there will actually be a job, but it was totally fine.

The conditions were great. They picked me up at the airport and had temporary housing for me. A representative from the school and a real estate agent went with me and helped me to find an apartment. I started working five days a week in the evenings from 6:00-9:00, then I changed to six days a week 1:00-4:00pm and 6:00-9:00pm. There were longer hours on the weekend (double shifts). The students were great. I taught adults – they were business-minded, money-focused. They were really nice, kind, ambitious, diligent…I wasn’t really able to save money. I made about $1100 a month for 18-21 hours a week. That was enough to live in China and I had a really nice apartment – about one-third of my salary went on my apartment, which was a lot for China.

I didn’t speak Chinese–it wasn’t necessary but was helpful. But I found a language school and I was able to learn the language and experience that. The Chinese people are very nice and welcoming – not immediately, but it didn’t take them too long.

My advice for teachers going to China would be to bring deodorant! And don’t expect to have too much personal space, as Chinese people have a different concept of personal space.

I know some other people who worked at schools that weren’t so good, but I had a nice life there, and made a lot of foreign friends."


Me, Great Wall of China, 1993

Schools in China that are known to employ American teachers:
This information is made available to graduates of the SIT course.

Please note: While every endeavor is made to ensure this information is accurate, Rennert is not responsible for incorrect information.

Using DVDs: 50/50 activity
A short, fun pronunciation exercise to practice/review vowel sounds.

Students love to have DVDs used in the classroom, because it’s a real-life application of English. However, simply sitting down and watching a DVD with your class isn’t teaching. Here’s a fun activity to use with lower level classes (up to high Intermediate) that involves lots of speaking. This lesson can easily take 90 minutes.

Choose a 5-10 segment of a DVD that has lots of visual action. Mr. Bean is perfect. The scene form nation lampoon’s Christmas vacation where they put the decorations on the roof is also perfect.

Do you have a favorite teaching tip to share? Email us: tesol@rennert.com