I'm currently living in Ireland. I am an experienced English teacher. Can anyone give me advice about teaching positions in Yunnan. websites etc. Is it possible to apply for work even though I'm not living in China..Thanks

Keep an eye out on this website for a position you like. Jobs in Yunnan are rarely advertised anywhere else that I've seen.
Failing that ask an agent and give them the parameters that you'll only consider something in Yunnan. A good agent will charge the finders fee to the school and take nothing from your end if you get the job.
Salary for the Dingly Dangly school of English could be as low as 3,500-4,000 but if you are experienced then you should keep well away from that side of the market.
Average training centres or government schools may pay between 8,000-15,000. If you get a job in a senior school then you may find yourself with a light workload. If you go the training school route then expect a heavy workload and little thanks.
Universities pay pretty low, round the 5,000-6,000 mark as that's strictly controlled by the government, but you should be able to work some extras into the deal if they are really keen on you and you'll have aruond 12-15 classes a week.
If you have your certs in order then go for an international school job, you'll be looking at 25,000 plus for the full international school (Around 12 -16,00 for an international department in a government school).

All these jobs should come with insurance and accommodation. If no accommodation is mentioned then expect a couple of nights stay in a hotel and a stipend on your salary to arrange your own accommodation.

Seeing as you're outside of the country the visa process will probably be that once you have a job lined up the school will send you some documents in order to apply for a visa with the embassy in London. This can all be done through an agent, there's no need to apply in person. Once you have that visa (presumably the work visa) you'll come to China (The school will buy you a ticket) and within 30 days they will get you a residence permit, for which you'll need to have a medical and show a clean bill of health and you'll have to register yourself at your address (If the school are providing accommodation they will do all this)

Once you've got this you can claim back your ticket (If you bought it yourself) and you will be issued health insurance.
They'll probably give you a map of the city and a bus card or a mandarin course voucher or something as a welcome.

And then you're away...

uni pay is as low as 3700 in kmg lower than any other provinces i live in

@Napoleon
do you know any of the 25000+ international schools in km? sounds interesting...

Most teacher's work visa are not legit. The teacher has a work permit, but is not registered as a teacher but as a "whatnot"!
You would never know, until the police knocks on your door, and they will still deport you, as much as you beg and whine, or call the embassy.

Very conveniently the law in China states, that the employer is responsible for all legal documents and permits, if they fail to provide, it's the employers fault.
Although, I never heard of any company, director or manager, ever taken a fall, or even a hiccup over it. It's easier to punish the laowai, and less trouble, if it ever hits the news.

If you ever have the chance, or get close to anyone in admin, ask what your visa is tied to, at that company. I doubt it's as teacher.

For example, to see if your school or training center, is law abiding. one of the many requirements is, -and I see always missing-, at schools.

There must be at least a master of edu. psychology, linguistics, [and another one which I forgot, -"ON SITE". Not somewhere in London or New York, writing silly papers,....nope ! ON SITE!!!

There are only a few places I know of,in kunming, that have one.

The gov. doesn't care if you are illegible for teaching or not, if your boss breaks the law, you are breaking the law,.....That's the law! lol

Dudeson is always full of doom.

@misfit
The international schools will pay that if you're a licenced teacher back home with A Level / IGCSE experience, or an IELTS examiner.
You'll aslo have to go to one of the 'full' international schools ie. no Chinese student registration.

You'd have to check the Times education suppliment, but you can always knock on KIA's door.

The other way is to come to one of the international departments to teach the international foundation years. For this you'll need to be referred there by the overseas university. Try Yunnan Uni (I think they have one) or AIA.

You can contact the international schools and bridge programs directly. Although some are associated with, or linked to, universities in EU/US/etc. they do their own HR (although tertiary ed. course appointments are vetted overseas, and you will need a masters degree for these). I have seen 5 of these bridge programs (below) advertise on here. With the exception of the last one all have both subject and English teachers.
- GAC/ACT centre (AIHS Dianchi Experimental School and Kun Wai Xiao)
-KIA
-Kaplan (No. 3 Middle School)
-A'Level (No.1 Middle School)
-Pollard School
-British Columbia Canada Program (No. 10 Middle School) Unless you are a BC certified teacher you can only work on the summer prep program.

Dudesons, what you mean that "most" teachers work visa not legit? What you mean exactly? It's fake visa, or wrong type?

BTW, real Chinglish is like this:

"Dudesons,what you mean that 'most' teachers work visa not legit? It's fake visa,or wrong type?"

or..

"Dudesons,what you mean that 'most' teachers work visa not legit??It"s fkea visa,or wrong type??"

Can even be like this:

"Dudesons, what....Its fake visa, or wrong type?"

But the comma is never put right. This was a Chinglish lesson No.1.

Oh, theres some auto spelling correction here. So the message was a bit corrupted.