Local knowledge: How to get an English-teaching job

Michelle Yung Chien, 25, from Brazil, has worked as an English teacher for more than a year in Beijing. She now teaches English at a private Korean kindergarten in Wangjing area.

How easy is it to obtain a job as an English teacher? Do I need a teaching degree?

I came to Beijing in 2008 and easily got my first job as an English teacher at a private primary school.

I got it through some friends who were already working. I called a phone number they gave me, did an interview and got hired. I also looked on websites where they have thousands of English teaching opportunities.

But I couldn't apply for most of them because they were demanding native teachers with degrees.

But some of the schools don't care. It can also have to do with your looks. Even if you aren't a native-English speaker, if you look Western, they don't even ask for your passport to hire you.

How do I prepare for a job interview?

I always try to relax and think about things I should say to convince them why I'm the right person to work for them. I try to plan something in case they ask for a demo class.

When you teach children, it is about creating a study lesson that makes them pay attention and keep them entertained, like singing songs or playing games.

How do I know the agency is good?

Most of the time, I just go for an interview at an agency that at least one of my friends already worked for, or they are still working there. Then I know if it's serious or not. Honestly, I never have had problems here in Beijing with any places that I've worked for so far.