Job Discussion Forums

[Andros]

Hey guys,

I am currently looking at a vocational and technical college and I have a few questions! In the future I would like to teach university in some other locations, however the name vocational and technical college kind of suggests a level below university. We call them TAFE in Australia. So I am worried this kind of position would not be counted as "University Experience". What do you think?

Secondly the uni has in the contract that they only pay 90% of the pay each month, and they pay the rest at the end. This kind of worries me as it indicates that previous teachers have run away, and not only once but enough times for them to put it in the contract. Do you agree?

How negotiable are the contracts in China? The location seems pretty good, which is important for me, but there are a few niggling little things in the contract that I would like to change, is that possible and acceptable?

Thanks in advance.

[xiguagua]

All contracts are negotiable. Also I wouldn't worry about vocational schools not counting as "Uni XP" what is requiring you to have University XP anyway? Teaching XP is what's important.

Regarding the 90% contract thing, I personally wouldn't take it. Like you suggested it can be a red flag that the school has had problems in the past, or maybe that amount owed at the end will be a royal pain in the butt to get out of them at the end if they choose to withhold it for whatever reason they make up.

[Opiate]

Tell them that for 90% pay you'll work 90% of the time. Assure them that you'll make it up at the end if they have been on their best behavior.


...and this is not a little niggling thing. Personally, I'd tell them to go piss up a rope. I do not know why anyone would accept or consider accepting shit like this. Seriously....would you guys accept this garbage at any other comparable company or institution in any other country?

[Non Sequitur]

Once again getting access to former or current FTs can cut through to how the school behaves as opposed to what's in the contract.
They may have had runner problems in the past and the retention of 10% is a logical move... and it may not have been the school's fault.
No difference in vocationals v unis and that includes salaries and other parts of the package.
I've taught at both and on the whole prefer vocationals, particularly where students see a real job payoff in having better English ie international trade and tourism-related careers.

[Andros]

Thanks for the advice.

They have given me an email of another teacher, so I can check some things with him. But to be honest, there are a few things I don't like in the contract, such as reduced pay in holidays, no mention of who pays for the visa etc that it might not be worth the effort.

Time to lose the recruiters and find unis by myself I suppose!

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[Non Sequitur]

[johntpartee]

[choudoufu]

[7969]

[Andros]

[7969]

[therock]

[Miles Smiles]

It reeks to me. Witholding percent of your wages? The school may do this because it's a h3ll hole.

I wonder if labor law allows such practices.

If you are in your home country, expect to pay for your own visa. If you go to work for a public institution, the school SHOULD pay for the work permit. If not, be glad you're not American.

[Andros]

For those interested, I decided to not accept the job. Too many strange things in the contract, and the current teacher indicated that there was no curriculum or books for teaching. Kind of showed the uni didnt really care about English there, they just wanted a teacher to show up.