Ask Headmaster Ken

I graduated with a B.A. in Chinese language and literature from a run-of-the-mill Chinese university with a good sized Chinese program for foreign students. I also have a typical TESOL certificate from a school in the USA. What I'm wondering is how the visa issuing authorities will view a foreigner coming to China wanting to teach English, ostensibly as a 'foreign expert' who happens to have gained his 'expertise' in China, in Chinese, not English? I've been asking around, and realize that my case is rather unique, although I suspect that as more foreigners obtain Chinese degrees from Chinese universities, my situation will become more common.

I've greatly appreciated the insights and comprehensive guide you've provided online. As you point out, the BA requirement isn't strictly enforced, and thankfully I have contacts in a couple different universities who should be able to provide me with a foot in the door, but whether or not I'll be denied a Z visa has been something that's worried me for a while. Of course I realize that trying it and finding out firsthand provides the only reliable/relevant answer, but I'd appreciate any advice or experience you might have on this.

Ken is out of the country for the holidays so I'll take a crack at this on his behalf.

It's hard for me to imagine that the Chinese government would discriminate against their own education system when considering eligibility criteria for their own work visa. There are no specific discipline/major/department requirements, only a minimum of a bachelor's degree where that advisory guideline is even enforced.

Just as long as the prospective employer is satisfied with your requirements and wants to hire you, I just can't see the local PSB raising a fuss because your degree happens to be in Chinese from China. It's still a bachelor's degree. To the best of my knowledge, there is no stipulation as to which country it has to earned in or what discipline.

Please do let us know if you have any problems whatsoever, but I just can't imagine it.

I will be in your position in 4 years, have you found employment since posting? How was your experience, what difficulties did you face if any? What kind of school are you teaching for? Did they comment at all on your degree, was it positive or negative?

I have indeed gotten my answer to my long-fostered worry about the marketability of my Chinese BA degree in China for teaching English.

As of a month or so ago I started teaching full time at a college in Kunming. While I studied and earned my Chinese degree in Kunming, it was from a different school than the one I'm teaching at now. The university I'm working for made no comment about my paperwork. I have my foreign expert certificate in hand, and my residence permit should be completed by now. As for the attitudes of my Chinese colleagues towards me, they mostly just seem grateful that they don't have to use their English to communicate with me about class schedules, etc!

That said, I sent 'cold e-mails' to a number of different schools that advertised open English teaching positions and got zero response. I'm not sure if that was simply because they didn't know me, or took pause at my paperwork.

The school I'm at is quite clearly the 'bottom rung of the ladder' in terms of undergraduate schools in Kunming. I also happen to be good friends with one of the teachers in the foreign affairs office, and although she doesn't have e-mail, and therefore I couldn't apply through her, I'm suspicious that she helped my application along with a personal recommendation.

Well then there's hope isn't there! Thanks for your reply.

Even if I'm unable to find a university position for my first job legally working here, I will always have the option of finding a private school. Thank you again.