Chapter 6
Ready to Go?
This is the last chapter of this first course. This chapter was made for you to understand better the ESL market and its requirements to be an ESL teacher.
Being an ESL Teacher is very rewarding and it's a wonderful adventure. You'll remember this experience for life.
Ready to go?
Doesn't matter much what the answer is. If you got the job before you go, Congratulations!
If you are still in the process of finding a job, you will face job interviews.
Those job interviews are mainly made on Skype, especially if you are not yet in China or if you've decided to change another school from a different province.
The next COURSE is going to be about “How to succeed in your job interview”.
Whatever your interview is face to face or on Skype, I'll give you some tips and tricks to reenforce your results from this interview and get the Job!
And I will help you creating your short video introduction that you can send on WeChat or other apps required by employers in China.
List of Apps, links advises to help you with your "daily life" and "work life" when you'll arrive in China.
NUMBER 1 APP you must get from NOW:
WeChat is more than a messaging and social media app – it is a lifestyle for over one billion users across the world.
Chat and make calls with friends, read news and use local services in Official Accounts and Mini Programs, play fun games with friends, enjoy mobile payment features with WeChat Pay, and much more.
In China everyone is using WeChat and especially Employers where you can send your personnal Introduction in the view of getting a job!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD WECHAT (Google play)
Then add my WeChat ID : Mikeshomeesl to be friends on WeChat and I'll add you to Mike's Home ESL WeChat group where we share Teaching Resources like PDF, videos...etc.
NUMBER 2: Then you will need a VPN !
China has another famous wall and it's about internet! In China you won't be able to go on the major western social media Apps like; YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram...ect.
So you will need a good VPN. What's a VPN ?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet. VPNs can be used to access region-restricted websites, shield your browsing activity from prying eyes on public Wi-Fi, and more.
And after spending 20 years in China, I know that Free VPNs will work but for few month or weeks.
If there are political invest in China, they are very likely to be shutdown.
So you really have to spend a bit of money in it! And forget about the leaders like Expressvpn or Northvpn as they are very expensive ($80-$120/year) and even if they promote a lot, doesn't mean they are good. Just like Free VPNs when political meetings happen in China, those VPNs are shutdown for weeks. I've experienced that with Expressvpn so I went to Northvpn and it was the same.
The VPN I'm using right now is very reliable and I've never had problems when political meetings or events happened. The name of this VPN :
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS & DOWNLOADS OF WINDSCRIBE
PLUS this VPN is really affordable around $40 a year!
NUMBER 3: BAIDU TRANSLATE
Google translate is blocked in China so if you don't a VPN on your phone (Windscribe provide VPN on phone) BAIDU is the Chinese Google.
I use this App for myself too. Great App but there are tones of others. Just recommending Apps that I use and that I'm happy with it!
NUMBER 4: Alipay/WeChat Pay: pay for everything even for only two potatoes!
Remember those two logos picture as you will see them in every stores and even vendors in the street, in Taxis, Buses and pretty much any kind of money transfer You can used them!
The cashiers just scan the QR-code on your phone and you’re good to go. Keep in mind that you can only connect the payment apps to Chinese bank cards. If you’re traveling, just use cash.
Note: Download Alipay when you'll have a Bank account in China.
NUMBER 5: BAIDU MAP
Google Maps is not really accurate in China, even if you have a VPN. Better to download Baidu Map is the most used map app, and it's accurate, up-to-date and reliable for traveling the whole country. The apps will show you the routes to get you where you need to be.