Job Discussion Forums

[Geronimo]

Teachers applying to the UNNC should consider whether to bid for a 40 week fractional contract or the full year one. Several current staff prefer the extra time away in summer to the extra salary.

[Sudz]

I actually got my MA TESOL through Nottingham (Malaysia). Despite not having any university teaching experience, I do have quite a bit of academic teaching experience (mainly IELTS). Wondering how this might fare.

Also, does the full-time position offer much in the way of holiday time?

[Wicked Stepmother]

IELTS teaching and EAP teaching are not quite the same - the latter is a lot more in-depth. There is a great deal that an IELTS course does not cover, such as referencing and formal academic language. The point is, unless you have EAP rather than IELTS experience, you will be less favoured. By the way, if you are an IELTS examiner and want to continue that, Nottingham Ningbo are a bit sniffy about you doing it. As far as CELE is concerned, IELTS examining is a distraction from the job.
As to the full time contract, you do get weeks of holiday, but have considerably less than those on a fractional contract. You are expected to be on campus and are given assignments. For instance, there are pre-departure classes, pre-sessional classes and there was a business English course run for a company when I was there. Also, courses have to be updated and new assessment materials written. You are kept busy. However, you will not have more contact time with students than normal.

[Sudz]

Thanks for filling me in.

I'm curious as to whether anyone feels overworked there? Being busy is fine, but 50+ hour work weeks are something I'd like to steer away from.

[China2]

I didn't think there was any more part time IELTS examining left in China anywhere. I thought IELTS examining is now carried out by BC full timers...

[Wicked Stepmother]

[CKM]

Any recent/up to date info on Nottingham...in terms of working conditions? (I noticed that they were advertising for a new director (language centre) recently)

[mitsui]

OK, I applied.
How long would I have to wait before I hear anything?
I assume that the references are contacted first.

[Wicked Stepmother]

Ask your references if they have been contacted, and if yes, whether they replied.

[Elicit]

[HeidiHector]

Trying to bump this thread while asking about a recent job ad at this school.

I came across this job ad:

MOD EDIT

which lists the STARTING salary of RMB 440,370, which is ~$68k / GBP 49K / 56K E with a high of RMB 525,825 per annum.

I remember I caused a bit of a stir by suggesting that an ESL/EFL professional with a few years of experience and an MA should command a starting salary of mid-to-high-300K RMB, with many saying that the number is simply delusional, even though that's what my actual experience has been, so I am understandably very intrigued and would appreciate it if anyone from the Ningbo area (or, even better, from Nottingham-Ningbo) could enlighten us on this.

Am I misreading the ad or something? Does this package include the housing stipend and that's why it looks much bigger than the actual? I mean, I get that it's a "senior" position, but the starting is 50% higher than most other posts I have come across.

Thanks much for any insights!

[Elicit]

Housing is not included in the base salary given. There are also other benefits like travel, relocation etc..

Judging by recent experience, competition is high for positions and staff turnover is low. The turnover comment may not be applicable to the Language Centre Director role as managing a large number of frisky EAP teachers is only for the brave or 🤪

[The bear]

[twowheel]