Job Discussion Forums

[Wizard of Oz]

Hi, I'm about to start my TEFl course, and in the process of looking into places to apply for work next year in China (hopefully in Shanghai).
Anyway, I've had some jobs in language centres suggested to me, as the pay seems much better, and I wanted to ask more experienced people about them. I just want to check that Language Centres aren't generally renowned for being awful places to work, or something like that, compared to working in a school.
Also, if they're okay but you've got to watch out for some dodgy ones, what are the sort of things I should look out for?

[Simon in Suzhou]

Do your research. There are good language centers and bad ones.

For me, the upside of a language center is:

-Higher pay
-Smaller classes
-More motivated students (perhaps)

The downside:

-You will be worked HARD for that higher salary. Often double salary means double the work.
-Minimal vacation time
- You are commodity being sold to the public. So your job security can depend on your appearance or personality rather than teaching ability, and how much your clients want to keep paying tuition for you.


I won't work for a language center because of that last point. I like being a teacher, not a salesman (or a product!). I would carefully look at the job offers by language centers. Many appear to have a much better salary than a university or public school, but they don't offer housing. Living in Shanghai is NOT CHEAP, and if you must pay for your own place you must factor that in!

Make sure the school can provide a Z-visa BEFORE you enter China!!!!

[Wizard of Oz]

Alright, thanks for the advice.

[Salvatore]

I worked at a university in Nanjing before accepting a position at Wall Street English in Shanghai.

As stated above, my training center salary was higher, but my living costs and time were higher. If you do the math, universities and training centers pay the same hourly wage.

I'm lazy, so got a job at SISU after being let go from Wall Street for political reasons. Corporate culture you could say.

Love & Peace

Sal

[Asiateacher]

I prefer training centers only because of the "quality" of the students. They all really want to learn. I don't like the corporate atmosphere, but once you're in the class it dorsn't matter much.