Training Center Warnings

[Morris Brown]

Please post the name/ info about training centers that have openly expressed a preference for white teachers, so that other members will know not to waste their time even trying. 
While I respect that the school itself does not care about skin color (it's the parents) it would have been great if they had just up front told me no way was I going to be hired before I suited up and trekked halfway across Shanghai in this hot humid weather.  The racial bias does not bother me quite as much as them not being up front about it from the beginning.  I could have slept in and not had to iron and now clean a nice white cotton shirt!

I'll start:
徐汇区桂平路188号康健广场236室
Job Description: http://search.51job.com/job/39995184,e.html
Contact info:  Ask for Joanna at  54197193 x806
Joanna and Co. flat out state "We want a white teacher because the children might be afraid of black people."

[pat_togo]

It's quite a shame, unfortunately that's the sad reality here. That's why many Black teachers I know clearly state in their application letter that they are Black in order or send their pick, to avoid a waste of time in case the school has a no-Black policy. On the other hand, some schools which might have been a little bit not willing to hire a Black teacher, eventually have been extremely satisfied when they took the chance. But I am afraid it will take some time to see less hiring racial discrimination here.

[Morris Brown]

It's quite a shame, unfortunately that's the sad reality here. That's why many Black teachers I know clearly state in their application letter that they are Black in order or send their pick, to avoid a waste of time in case the school has a no-Black policy. On the other hand, some schools which might have been a little bit not willing to hire a Black teacher, eventually have been extremely satisfied when they took the chance. But I am afraid it will take some time to see less hiring racial discrimination here.

Members may recall that I have long been a realist when it comes to racism and the ESL industry in China. 
This is not the first time I've been told "no darkies" and I'm certain it won't be the last.  However, if they are going to be racist could they PLEASE be up front about it?  Especially during summer?  It's maddening to put on a nice ironed white shirt and slacks, brave the hot and humid weather, only to be told "oops. We forgot to include that requirement in the advertisement!"

[MingHei]

With that job description you could argue that they discriminate by accent too.  I can only think of two occasions where I met schools that didn't hire blacks, but I didn't want the job anyway.  They contacted my through a friend and I replied. 

One was some middle school in a small town where one of my former student's works.  She invited me to teach on a weekend but the principal turned it down on hearing i was black.  That was about a year ago...now the principal wants me to come after hearing I was in the city to visit my former student.

On the other occasion it was the same except with a college in a small town.  I sent in my pic and resume, after getting an email requesting them, just to see what would happen and the guy said no.  I told him not to waste my time in the future. 

Being the Kings and Queens ain't easy us.

 

[kaylaoshi]

You guys all sounds like you've just arrive china 2days ago.
it has been there for years and things are pretty much getting better and much much more better than 10 years ago. lots of schools can hire blacks over white guys now, so if you get turned down by one school, just kick back and continue your search. saying that they wont hire you  because you are black is not something that is new and you should never allow that to  hold you down.

[chamaflauge]

Well maybe it shouldn't hold us down, but this is 2009, WTO globalized China should know that this doesn't hold. President of US is black, the former United Nations big man was black. Big schools like Wallstreet and English First accept blacks I don't know why others shouldn't. Anyway thats why I stopped teaching. It's all a sham, a cheat. Why should I kowtow and beg someone for a job where I'm not wanted? They want to idolize and covet the white man, let them do that.

Last week I got turned down because I was black. She told me straight up after I traveled across town in hot ass weather for a job I didn't even want(Just doing it because the wife asked). She didn't even let me fill out the application form. She said" we will let you know and call you when somebody suits you". It was a tutoring agency.

If this happend in the US there would be pandemonium among Chinese hollaring about equal rights and such. It's a double standard with blacks here anyway in China. We should respect Chinese but they don't have to respect us.

The hell with the lot of these kind.

[alext]

I'm a 188 cm, 135 kg Black-American that's taught in Shanghai for 2 years at 3 different schools and have never encountered this type of overt racism in my job or while searching. The worst thing has been request to sing, dance or rap occasionally.   Those were 2 or 3 instances out of 100's of students I've taught.  Most students have been wonderful and extremely friendly and eager to get to know me.  Some White-Americans and Europeans have told me they've heard horribly racist things about Blacks from Chinese people but, understandably so, I've never heard them.

I'm not doubting the poster one bit, but just wanted to share my experience with a brother or sister that may be considering coming here.  For Black-Americans especially, I would highly recommend coming.  It's actually kind of liberating coming from such a race conscious country to here.  Like I said the people have been great and sincerely interested in getting to know me.  I'm invited out and to people's homes regularly.  Some just want to show off their "foreign friend" but I've made many genuine friends that have also been invaluable in getting acclimated here. Everyone has their own experience, this has been mine.

[chamaflauge]

I'm glad to know there are positive experiences out there. maybe I should look at things more positively for now on.

[blackinchina]

Hello! I'm also an African American teacher here in China. I'm in Nanchang at a University. When I arrived, I was taken aback at all the skin-whitening products on the shelves. Also at the fact that most of the models on television were the white-skinned Chinese. However, I have over 300 students and they always tell me how beautiful I am. They seem to love my style and they always want to take pictures of me.Just because of their cultural preferences I say: I'm dark and fat (American size 18) do you really think I'm beautiful? They say - yes, you are beautiful! I'm one of only two black women here in Nanchang. However, I must say that regarding children - I have travelled to different parts of China and some children (those under 5) really are afraid of my darkness. They cry, or run away. I used to feel bad about this but I realize that I look so different to them and they have nothing to compare me to.

[promochuks]

Well, i'm an African and a Nigerian to be precise. When i was teaching in China, i had good times and bad times aswell. What kept me going at the time, was ignoring what they think about me as a dark skinned person. To be honest,i only experienced the racist card in teaching just once and that was kind of indirectly, cuz i was always able to challenge them. Most Africans i met when i was in Shenzhen,had to say they were from US to be able to get a Job. When looking for teaching Jobs, i proudly say i'm African and when they say "Oh" , i would always ask them, what do u mean? Funny enough, i'm always given the chance to prove myself and each time, i end up getting the Job and even getting more classes than proposed by the school. I just think that sometimes, confidence and experience matters alot. I'm not denying the fact that several Dark skinned people either from US or from Africa have experienced soem sought of racism. The main thing is to know how to handle it. Sometimes, these people(Chinese) are just ignorant about things. They only know Africa as the poor continent(Some even see Africa as a country, that's so pathetic) they see on TV and so on...It's just a cliche` that have been fed in their minds when they were growing up and from their media.
I hope our people can stand up to this and not feel bad about it.

[blackinchina]

I also believe that when you radiate confidence and truth and joy, people want to be a part of that. This gives you the opportunity to change their way of thinking about your particular ethnic group. As for specificaly Nigerian, I haven't yet met one who didn't think he was as tall as God! LOL. In New York, when it comes to ambition, whether they are male or female, they usually outrun all other Africans.

[Morris Brown]

You guys all sounds like you've just arrive china 2days ago.

Far from it.  My complaint is not that they refused to hire based on race.  My complaint is that they are not up front about it!   You ask "Is it a problem if I'm black?"   Sometimes they say yes it is, and I thank them for not wasting my time. 

It's the ones who imply otherwise, or for whom I travel across town for a face to face only to be told the owner wants a "real westerner" that I see as being a problem.

Last week I got turned down because I was black. She told me straight up after I traveled across town in hot ass weather for a job I didn't even want(Just doing it because the wife asked).

Exactly.  Tell me up front.  I'm a big boy, I can handle it.

[chamaflauge]

I found this job on echinacities. And what happend was I gave my information expecting no response. To my surprise I got a call. The guy's whose name is "Philip" asked me a few questions i answered them and he seemed genuinely happy. he seemed like a nice guy. He assured me that someone would call me immediately for a face to face interview. Basically I'm over qualified for the position. I'm a native speaker I have over 6 years experience of teaching in schools and to children. I have ample educational qualifications. A few hours later he asks for a picture. I gave it to him. I didn't hear from him after that. "immediately" became never. I called him back to ask whats going on and all of a sudden he became rude and nasty.

Today I found that the ad reappeared today on echina cities

What I gather is that he didn't even pass my information to the school because I was black American and not white. Just want to warn you darker people that if you come accross this ad, or the "philips" English recruiter to don't bother if you are not the right color. This goes for filipino poeple too(Who have a reputation in the states for being good Kindergarten teachers).

If they need teachers ASAP why haven't I, an overqulaified individual gotten a call for at least an interview? And then the change of attitude.He even hung up the phone when I asked him why haven't I gotten a call....because I gave him passport information(which is very sacred) recommendation letters and diploma certificate. White folks, sometimes I don't think you know how good you have it in China.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kindergarten teaching position in shanghai 12000-16000RMB ASAP
Ad No.58004
Posted Mar 30, 2010 11:53by ediethemeanExpire Date:Apr 30, 2010 00:00
Tag: ShanghaiLanguage TeachingFull Time


Kindergarten in shanghai
Gender required: Unspecified
Education: Bachelor
Nationality required: Native English teacher from American, UK, New Zealand, Australia, and South African
Please notes :(Face to face interview is required) ！！！If you cant make an face to face interview, please don’t apply this job. Thanks
Type of Contract; Full Time
Age required: 22-45 years old
Number of Vacancies: 2-3
Starting Time: ASAP
Students Per class: 7-11 students
Maximum Teaching Hours per week: 14 classes （45 minutes per class）

Working Period: 5 days a week (Wednesday to Friday from 12-9pm/ Saturday to Sunday 9:30-5:30) Foreign teachers only have max 25 classes per week, for the rest of time, you will participate into group meeting.
Round trip Airfare reimbursement (7000 RMB Upon completion of one year contract)
Salary/Month 12000+Bonus Excellent bonus packages (The average salary is over 16000RMB per month or more（Basic+Bonus）
Two weeks paid training period
Working Z visa provided

Paid holiday (12days)
The Kindergarten provides teaching curriculum

If you interested about this job, please send your resume and photo to us by email.Please indicate the name of the position “Kindergarten job in shanghai pudong and puxi area in shanghai” No job Title-NO reply

[MelissaF]

Hello,
I think it shouldn't hold us down, but this is 2010, WTO globalized China should know that this doesn't hold. President of US is black, the former United Nations big man was black. Big schools like Wallstreet and English First accept blacks I don't know why others shouldn't. Anyway thats why I stopped teaching. It's all a shame.
Why should I kowtow and beg someone for a job where I'm not wanted? They want to idolize and covet the white man, let them do that.

[boundlesshacien]

Was looking for something like this