I’m Dean a Montreal native living miserably in Toronto.

I taught ESL to french business people in Montreal with only an ESL certificate and some University under my bealt.

I’ve been considering teaching in Hong Kong but nervous about not having a degree.

Most importantly the apparent 40% turnover for teachers breaking unhappy conract conditions and/or employers scares the crap out of me lol.

Do the same schools and recruiters exist inside HK as well?

What advice would you have if any?

Time’s not really the factor stopping me from dishing out advice on this though, inexperience is. I worked at a DD Dragon franchise, which is quite a different animal from the corporate-run schools. I went to the corporate office once for training and that was the last I heard from them.

Getting shares of a small business is an interesting concept (I’m assuming they offer them as part of salary, or something?), but my concern would be accountability. What legal recourse would there by if you want to sell your shares back to the company and they don’t want them back? I’ve really no idea if it’s a good idea, but for my money, there’s a lot less risky ways to invest — particularly as this is China, and when things are good, they’re great, but when they’re bad, they’re terrible.

But I don’t know anything at all about this franchise. Is there anything you can tell me that can help me decide if this is the business I want to invest in? I have some money, but I’m not rich enough to just throw money away, so I need to be cautious.

If you reply, that’s great. If not, let me just say that your essay was a great read.

Was doing some research on moving to China and came across your blog. I’ve been teaching in Thailand for the past year and am ready for a move. I was wondering if you had any contact information for Zhou Jun? I know it’s been quite a few years, but any little bit would help. I’m sure you know how difficult it is to find a solid recruiter!

Thanks so much!
-Courtney

My girlfriend and I are applying to the DD Dragon schools, ideally Suzhou. It’ll be our first time teaching (bar the Trinity TESOL course lessons we taught) and so we’re a bit nervous. When they say complete lessons plans are provided, how true a statement is this? I don’t see this is a negative by the way, as I will relish any guidance in my first foray into teaching overseas!

Again, cheers mate, love the site and the photo’s – truly inspiring
Joe

I worked out at the SEPS boarding school, which is in the far north-end of town. It was a tough commute everyday, but the school, faculty and students are ace.

SEPS teachers are generally handled by a teacher recruiter named Jun. He’s an excellent guy. I’ve worked with a number of people in my time in China and a lot of them blow smoke up your ass – Jun talks to you straight and goes above what is expected to help you out.

Of course, if you wish to be a professional teacher, teaching ESL can be a solid stepping stone. But outside of that sphere (and I dare say few ESL teachers really have/had any ambition of being “real” teachers), transferability is limited – not absent, just limited.