Job Discussion Forums

[Jymmkat]

Hello...newbie alert!

I am a new empty nester, with my son having left for college the beginning of this year and my daughter in college in Nanjing. She is graduating in 2015 and I am looking for a position that will allow me to be close to her. Details on the position I am considering are outlined below.

http://www.teachergig.com/10649/china-native-english-speakers-needed
"Native English speakers needed in Chuzhou Foreign Language School 7000 Y/M Free accommodation Z visa health insurance and airfare provided

Location: Anhui province, Chuzhou city, in the east of China

School: public school, the students are grade 7 to grade 9, 11-15 years old, there are about 30 students a class 
3)Time: weekdays, not more than 16 teaching hours per week. 
4)Salary:at least 7000Yuan/month, free accommodation, working visa (Z visa) provided, one year contract reimburse 8000 airfare, health insurance provided.

Chuzhou is next to Nanjing city, which is the capital city of Jiangsu province, and also you can go to Shanghai which is very near . The cost of living here is very low. The local people earn about 2000 Yuan/month. Your basic salary is 7000 Yuan/month,

The school itself is a licensed school ,and next term we have got two techers,now we still Need one or two native English speakers. No experience required. But need someone who is outgoing and easygoing."

I am from the Bahamas, I am black, 42 years of age with 2 Associate Degrees and over 20 years work experience. I spent a month in Nanjing with my daughter when she first went. I am by nature a very self confident person who likes to plan with just a touch of OCD. I have worked in programs with pre-teens/teenagers, done a fair amount of tutoring over the last 10 years but possess no formal teaching experience.

All this they know, we had a Skype interview and they are still interested. I have put them in touch with my daughter and they have setup an appointment to tour the school and the apartment on my behalf next week.

Enough background, question time.

1. Anybody know this place or school, any experience with it - good or bad? I googled but nothing came up.
2. I am having a problem finding info on Chinese Middle schoolers, can anyone help?
3. I will be supporting my daughter, and sending money to my son in college. What are the chances of me being able to supplement my wage with tutoring even though I am black? Anyone in this area or Nanjing who have experience in this area, I would welcome guidance.

4. I sent some questions and below are the answers, any red flags?

"Hello, Sorry for not replying to you immediately. New term is coming soon, many things to do before it,I got your daughter's phone call yeaterday, and we plan to invite here to Chuzhou next Monday, but she said she might be busy at that time, and she said she will send your certificate to me ,before you send it , first let me answer you the questions you asked:

You can use a photocopy machine in our school? just try to save the paper, no special policy.
the classroom has a traditional board/chalk setup .
the touchscreen computer in class has internet access and a usb port , but I do advice you to use USB.
Several of the lesson plans you have in mind involve chants or simple songs, of course it will disturb other classes and this would be a problem , and if the weather permits , you can teach them in our English corner. then it will be ok.
the students level is low, if you need , we may ask an English teacher to help you.
Is there a work area or desk provided at school? yes
What is expected from me on a daily basis?not very clear about this question
Aside from teaching are there any other duties? (Like a English Club activity once a week for example)may go to some other places to have the demonstration class, but not very often.

only 45 minutes long.
u don't have o stay at the school when u don’t have classes. ur daughter is able to visit u at school.
Regarding the housing, the apartment will be 2 bedrooms ? do you mind a shared room? I will send it to you later.
just inside our school
the toilet Is western style . my daughter can view it when she comes
you need to pay for the electricity, water, gas, phoneline.the internet will be provided in the apartment.
the contract is starting in SEP. this year and end in June 30th next year.

that's all for ur questions , so if u still have questions , just ask me . thanks .
all the regards
Sam"

Sorry for the long post, but am interested in solid advice which is easier to give if you know a bit.
Advice, suggestions welcomed. Thank you.

[Javelin of Radiance]

Sounds fairly good to me, with one exception, the shared housing. If you don't mind living with someone you just met and know nothing about then it's ok, otherwise ask for a single apartment. Considering Bahamas isn't one of the "English 6" I'd say this offer (as is) is about as good as you're going to get, starting out anyway. Looks like you need to decide quickly, September is almost here.

[kungfuman]

I would say try to get a gig in Nanjing. Nanjing is a pretty vibrant city and if your goal is to be closer to your daughter than it might suit you better.

I like people from the Bahamas but that could be cause I have been there many times as it is close to Florida

Keep searching for the RIGHT JOB - not just any job.

[Denim-Maniac]

The thing to be wary of is the visa situation. Yes, they state they will provide a Z visa ... but it would appear you dont qualify for one.

Associate degrees are not full BA / BSc qualifications right? And the Bahamas passport thing .. not sure that qualifies you either. So the risk could be they ask you to come over on a different visa, and they are then not able to swap you onto a genuine work permit and you work illegally.

[Jymmkat]

[Non Sequitur]

It's the best you are going to get at this late stage.
8k airfare will just cover and paying all utilities isn't usual.
You will be able to add to your income but in a low cost area don't expect more then 100RMB/hour.
The exchange rate is getting better but once you've put your savings into your home bank account, don't expect too much.
China is racist, but much will depend on your personality and ability to gel with the kids.
Can't believe that the classrooms are so flimsy that songs are going to disturb others!

[Jymmkat]

[kungfuman]

Via train I live about a 1 hour ride to there but have visited there several times and my school had a campus there that I also stayed at before.

Side work... can usually be found everywhere in my opinion.

if all else fails you can set up a Nassau style hut and sell mojitos Caribbean style ? Let me know I''ll be first on line!

[Jymmkat]

[kungfuman]

Fondest memories of trips to Nassau and Freeport - tropical drink stands.

And at marveling that they had Winn Dixies in the Bahamas.

[Denim-Maniac]

[Jymmkat]

[Denim-Maniac]

Warning K12 American Academy, Shenzhen-Deception & Fraud

Its on this page ... about 5 or 6 threads down from your thread. China is seemingly getting stricted, with criminal background checks a recent new addition ... Yes, there are people who work in China without qualifications, or the required qualifications, but it would be wise to be cautious. Very cautious.

[Jymmkat]

[bestteacher2012]

You should receive two documents, work permit and invitation letter. If the school can get you these, then you are good to go. It's a public school, so I see no reason why they wouldn't be able to.