Job Discussion Forums

[talkgabchat]

This is what they are offering my friend and I-- I don't have any teaching experience, but I have a BA (just graduated in December). My friend has 7 years teaching experience, and a PGCE and CELTA.

MOD EDIT: Location: Medium sized town near Chongqing

It's a 1.5 year contract
- 15 hours a week
- 6,000 RMB for the first year and 3 months
- 7,000 RMB for the last 3 three months
- 100 RMB/class for overtime
- Apartment includes everything
- 3 month paid summer holiday (6,000 RMB a month)
- 1 month paid winter holiday (6,000 RMB)

Do you think even with the paid vacations that 6,000RMBs is too low? They said that because I am younger than 25 I should technically be making 5,000RMBs but because I'm working with my better experienced friend they have balanced it to be 6,000RMBs. The previously employed teacher earned 7,000RMBs but he had more experience than me.

We are enticed by the long vacation times, but are also hesitant. It seems too good to be true? The previous teacher thinks that we should be able to get 7,000 out of the school (he left his contract early for visa complications for his family, but believes the school will honor the paid vacations). The school representative says the school refuses to go above 6,000RMB

Any advice is appreciated for we are both newbies.[/b]

[dean_a_jones]

Location would be helpful.

This sounds pretty standard for a uni gig, which I assume it is? Pretty good for you, though your friend could probably do better due to their qualifications and experience. But if you want to go as a pair, want the paid summer holiday (which is nice) then this might not be too bad. Depending on your lifestyle and location, you should be able to save a good chunk of cash (at least 50%) for either future travel, paying off loans etc.

There are lots of other bits and pieces to watch out for (i.e. travel allowances, RP costs etc.). These kinds of things, if in your favour, sweeten the deal.

[waterloo_jamie_m]

Your age has nothing to do with anything. Offering a lower salary for some sort of introductory or probation period is their reasoning - and their attempt to scam you with a lower salary with the purpose of saving money on their part.

Don't fall for it.

[Denim-Maniac]

Sounds like a nice deal to me. Sure there might be better offers out there, but the workload sounds modest and you get to go and work as a pair which would certainly make things easier. Paid holiday is nice too.

Assuming the type of work and the location is agreeable to both of you, Id snap this offer up in an instant. Other people may chip in and suggest holding out for higher earnings, or looking at options elsewhere to improve on earning potential but if working/travelling together is key then this could be pretty sweet IMO.

There are plenty of people in China (and no doubt on this forum) earning less/working more, and getting a joint offer is pretty cool.

[Miles Smiles]

A 1.5 year contract? Is this a public institution or a private institution? Public schools offer one -year contracts.

Any mention of return airfare? Will you be allowed to stay in your apartment during the vacations? Some colleges (not necessarily universities) in my area have tried to push teachers into hotels at their own expense during the summer and winter. (It happened at one school where I taught-- it was a non-contractual stipulation foisted upon the teachers). At another school, the teachers were required to go home for the summer, and the summer return airfare both ways was considered salary.

You say that your apartment includes everything. Does "everything" include utilities?

6,000 rmb per month for a BA level teacher with no experience? That's pretty good for a public school, but may pale in comparison to what one might make at a private school.

From my own experience, I'd be wary of taking a job that a previous FT vacated early. An eighteen-month contract sounds a bit strange TO ME.

[randyj]

It sounds OK. Our university pays full salary for summer and winter vacations.

[rogerwilco]

Sounds ok to me, but no matter how many questions you ask, or how careful you are, there can always be surprises.

Since it is your first time in China it might be best to have a back up plan and also enough money to be able to change plans or leave China if necessary.

I do not want to sound too negative, but having options gives you more confidence and peace of mind.

[Opiate]

Not a bad offer at all for your first time in China though I am not familiar with the cost of living in that area. As stated previously, an 18 month contract is abnormal but not really a red flag. A teacher leaving early however, would be.

I would certainly try to find out if overtime is mandatory or if there are any negatives to refusing...and bump that rate to 150/hour. At 150/hour I'd consider taking overtime..not at 100. YMMV.

When you say the apartment includes everything...be sure they spell out what everything includes in the addendum of the contract.

Either way, it sounds like a fair offer.

Good luck.

[talkgabchat]

Thanks everyone!

The 1.5 year contract seemed odd to us too. We started off agreeing to all this with a contract that started March 1st and ended January 15th. Then they talked us into the 1.5 years, but we don't mind staying longer with all the vacations and such.

The apartment does include utilities. Good idea with the overtime being bumped up to 150rmb. The previous teacher said they will definitely have us working over time, at least initially.

This is an international school, not a university.

[therock]

[Non Sequitur]

Looks OK to me too but for the absence of airfare grant or refund as others have said. Look for 10000RMB here.
Check the hours are 'teaching hours' ie 45 mins.
Check for any extended commute times from home to school and that teaching is all on the one site.
If you are sharing one apartment then the school is better off and that may be reflected in some of the other conditions.

[talkgabchat]

[Non Sequitur]

None of the schools I've worked for have set up a bank account for me although most students willing to come to the bank with you to do that.
BoC, etc have a a low/no fee basic account with swipe card.
Could mean that school intend to direct credit your money each month which is a step forward. I always feel uneasy carrying my monthly cash to the bank.
It also means if you are traveling over the holidays you can access your pay anywhere.
Make sure you are clear about when holiday pay will appear in your account.

[mnguy29]

International school teachers in my city make 15,000 or more a month. This is not a REAL international school, and if it is it is not near enough. One and a half year contract is suspect. I dont think I would sign one for that long.

[talkgabchat]

Luzhou Tianli International School

Beware of this school. They kept changing the terms of the contract, even after we had come to what we thought was a good agreement/compromise. It didn't end up working out. I would be careful working with this school, they seem like very bad flip-floppers.