Job Discussion Forums

shanewarne · Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 146

Hi folks, I would like to know what opportunities there are and earning potential there is for an experienced IELTS teacher in China. I have almost 4 years experience in Ielts in Vietnam. Although I have heard that wages can be quite low in some areas, I'm not sure if that's the case in the bigger cities like Shanghai and Beijing.

Currently I'm earning around 2000 dollars per month teaching around 20 hours per week which is the going rate in Vietnam for Ielts. I wonder if China is able to match that.... Money is not my motivation but I would like to live comfortably and not have to worry about daily expenses.

Thanks guys.

twilothunder · Joined: 09 Dec 2011 Posts: 442

Yes, IELTS teachers can earn good money here. I know a few who pull in 20000 yuan a month in Beijing, although they have been with the same college for a few years and demonstrated their competency.

The problem for you is... would you want to give up Vietnam for China. I have ties in China now but I would choose Saigon over any Chinese city I have been to (no joke) and Vietnam generally over China.

hippocampus · Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 126 Location: Bikini Bottom

peewee1979 · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:26 am Post subject:

I do side work in some IELTS training schools. They don't employ full time foreigners because the foreign teachers only teach the speaking part and only to those students who pay extra. Otherwise all the IELTS training is done by Chinese "teachers" - who normally just read from the book.

twilothunder · Joined: 09 Dec 2011 Posts: 442

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I've been told that you can usually make about 500 to 600 usd a weekend doing oral exams, but can usually only do them twice a month. You can also make about 500 for three weeks of writing exams. The BC won't get you a work visa for IELTS, you'll have to already have a job that gets you a visa.

They advertise on Dave's pretty often.

The people I know doing IELTS pretty much save all they make.

hippocampus · Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 126 Location: Bikini Bottom

twilothunder - in China one can work 16 hours at a uni in a two--/three-tier city for 6,000 RMB or so. I gather. I am kind of attracted to the lackadaisicality this suggests. I am thinking I can live modestly, cook for myself,or eat cheaply outside, find enough to read, surf the net, take walks, have a few friends either Chinese or Non (as long as they're not doofuses) ... what say you?

twilothunder · Joined: 09 Dec 2011 Posts: 442

I have never worked at a university in China, but I hear that's very much the case from friends I know who do work at them.

Thing is, with inflation skyrocketing, how long will 6000rmb remain a liveable wage? Neutral

hippocampus · Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 126 Location: Bikini Bottom

Excellent point. And what about Vietnam? Inflation? And how much/how hard would one have to work for solo survival and modest leisure?

twilothunder · Joined: 09 Dec 2011 Posts: 442

I have never lived in Vietnam (but have been a number of times on holiday/travelling) so I don't know what the inflation is like there right now.

I last visited a year ago (Saigon and Mui Ne).

peewee1979 · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:43 pm Post subject:

ecubyrd94 · Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Posts: 77