Job Discussion Forums

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Chengdu, Sichuan!

Lobster · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 9:19 am Post subject:

It all depends on what you're looking for in your China experience. For some, the big cities may be most attractive, while other may prefer smaller cities or even a post in the boonies. Each has pros and cons.

RED

oldsole00 · Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Nanjing, China

In my opinion, there is no question that the easiest place to start is in a major city, such as Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Nanjing, etc. The level of wealth in these places allows the schools to hire better teachers, recruit better students, parents to provide funding for private classes, and the list goes on. The only downside to living in a major city is that because so many people are well-educated, you'll learn Chinese at a much slower rate than in the countryside or a smaller, poorer city, unless you are really disciplined and devote yourself to your studies. Good luck!

Oldsole

gravilove19 · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:13 pm Post subject: Suggestion

Depending on what you are truly wanting from teaching in China will garner where you want to go. I am currently teaching in a city called Weishan in Shandong Province. I moved to China to teach because I want to have the experience of living in a real Chinese city and meeting Chinese people.

I cannot reccomend the small cities to everyone, because they do not offer the same immediate benefits that the major cities do. I can however suggest that if you are looking for something other than a major city and you want more of an authentic experience to look outside Beijing and Shanghai. I have spent time in all of the larger Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Qingdao, Shenzhen) and what it comes down to is like going from New York City to a small town in the suburbs. Fundamentally the people are the same, but the experiences differ.

Also to put more perspective into the cost of living: I on average spend no more than 50 - 60 yuan (10$) a week on food. I make around 6000 yuan a month, so if I am not buying expensive items I can afford to save around $800 a month just by going around my area. Then again I also live in an area where I can readily take a train or bus to Beijing or Jinan. I also do not pay for my housing or utilities. In places like Beijing or Shanghai you may be offered a higher wage but you will probably pay half of it for housing and the rest on food.

Basically if you are looking for a place to teach do your research on the different areas. If you want help or guidance let me know, the company I work for is always hiring so maybe I can point you in a good direction.

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

gravilove19 · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: Suggestion

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

Fair enough, though not something I could do every day.

There is a canteen at my school but the food is not great (to put it politely). When I first got here, I ate out about 4 or 5 times a week (for dinner). I still tend to eat lunches out, but eat a home cooked dinner 5 or 6 times a week instead. It is cheap (I like lots of vegetables, eat offal and cheaper cuts of meat, enjoy tofu, don't eat [or miss] much western food) but I don't think I could do it for as little as 60RMB a week.

gravilove19 · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:55 pm Post subject:

seamallowance · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:50 pm Post subject:

Are you working at the high school? I was working for Blue Sky Tengfei and was sacked there, just before my contract ended.