The school where I work uses a training college who trains people and also sends people to China to work as teachers. The students for want of a better word have obtained their TESOL training and come here, for 4 months. They are working for the company. The company pays their airfare, medical and food allowance and they are paid a small sum each month. It is like a taster and there is the idea of not being on your own. This system has worked successfully for a couple of years with several people deciding to stay and then take up a position with the school. This company is Australian based so does not  fit your situation but there is probably similar companies doing the same in America.

I have not heard much about African-Americans having trouble working as FT's in China, apart from the individual's own bad behaviour -- a few are still in Chinese prisons from their own infringements of local law. At least one local TV program showed some of these "foreigner inmates" in news reporting. And around festive times, the odd "foreigner" under heavy alcohol influence had been seen on TV. I have personally seen these TV scenes, though they include "non-white" "foreigners" I don't think they were specifically targetting those who look "African-Americans" in China. Some of my local Christians actually enjoy the types of praise-music typical of African Christians and African-American Christians.

But other FT's who worked in South Korea before said Koreans do not want African-Americans as FT's there. FYI.

Thank you both for your response.

Agatha, that was definitely the type of program I was talking about. I will do some more digging. My best friend is currently living in Beijing so I may be able to just "dip in the wading pool" without jumping in if I go to China while she is there...kind of a safety net.

Again, thank you both for your insight.

The first website looks like a commercial website that is selling TEFL/TESOL certifications. Nothing wrong with that but I don't think you should have to spend so much money to get a decent online TESOL certificate. I got mine for about $100.

The second site is more about volunteering which I think is what you were asking about. I think that volunteering is a great way to go if you can afford it. By volunteering, you also may be able to work in some areas where paid jobs would not be available such as Tibet or other places out West.

As an African American, I think your best bet is to look for a job in a public university. For the most part, the universities that I have worked for in China have been more concerned with the quality of your teaching skills and pronunciation as opposed to the color of your skin. If you are a native speaker of English, you should have little trouble finding a job in the university.

Incidentally, universities will often hire non-native speakers of English, if their English is really good.

Trying to find a job at a training center may be more of a challenge. Training centers (and no offense to any of our members who are owners of training centers) are often too worried about catering to the whims of their customers. Unfortunately in China, there is this idea that only Caucasians can be good or 'real' English teachers. That definitely needs to change...

But I have encountered African Americans who have successfully found work at training centers in China so don't be too discouraged by what I say. It is still much easier for an African American to find teaching work than it is for someone from an African country.

...you're right. I really have been digging in and over the past few days have gotten to correspond with several AA teachers currently in China (I'm really dogged in my pursuit once I want something) and they have pretty much said what you've just stated. I've decided that I am going to take the plunge and do it. As one of them stated, "...life is a creative process." I will start by revamping my resume and registering for an online TESOL course tomorrow.

I'll ask one or two of them if they wouldn't mind me sharing their correspondences (baring identifying information). Should they approve (and it meets with your approval), I will post their responses in this thread. Hopefully, their stories will help reassure anyone else in the future who has expressed similar concerns to my own.

Thanks again.

I've done both volunteering and an internship in China and I reckon internships are the way to go. Unless you know someone pretty well in China that is set up and knows where to find all the things you want to do, it will take you a while to get your feet on the ground. This could be what you are after though...it would certainly be a challenge!

I took an internship with www.getzouing.com and loved it. Their placements are in the north of China.

Good luck with your search and hope the placement you find is everything you ever wanted it to be!

Matt