Question about returning to Chengdu and teaching

Member since 21 April 2025

laowai24503New member21 April 2025 03:59:11

I am an American interested in finding an English teaching job in Chengdu. My situation is a little unique. I have a bachelor's degree, 120-hour TEFL certification and worked as an English teacher in Taiwan for 3 years. I'm also fluent in Mandarin. I actually lived in Chengdu for 6 years from 1996-2002 where I attended the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I was in the regular medical degree program with the Chinese students and took all of my courses in Chinese alongside the regular students. I was the first Westerner to graduate from the CUTCM with a medical degree specializing in acupuncture. After graduation, I returned to the United States and for the past 23 years I have had a successful acupuncture practice here. But now I am looking to retire and return to Chengdu. Here's the catch. I am now 60 years old. I understand that generally English teachers in China must be under 60. What would be my chances of getting an exemption for the age requirement, and do you have any advice or recommendations? Thanks in advance!