Job Discussion Forums

[vikeologist]

I'm afraid you are being overly picky. You're describing a Uni job, which you're much too late for, and they usually pay 5k a month, or maybe 5.5k.

Jobs that pay that much are comparatively rare.

The funny thing is that I'm trying to convince my boss that my uni needs to pay more because there is this (erroneous) perception that Unis normally pay 6k, and maybe we need to pay that much, (i.e. more than almost every other university in our province) to get good teachers.

Some Uni teachers do get 6k, but rarely initially.

If you have a Masters, you should expect 5.5k. Without a Masters 5k.I don't agree that Masters should be am indicator but it is.

So, you are being unrealistic. Of course, by holding out for that much, you may end up getting rewarded although lots of teachers will be applying to the few jobs that pay that much, and those that are already in China, and have quals and experience going for them, will have an advantage over you.

Anyway, you needed to apply for Uni jobs immediately after national Day, or soon after.

There was a thread a few months ago (started by myself) where people said what their starting salary at Uni was.

[Non Sequitur]

[Bud Powell]

"...Universities are nearly always away from the city centre. In fact, many of them are quite a long way away from the city - full stop..."

Actually, it isn't that uncommon in some provinces to find universities near the city center. Like in the west, cities tend to spring up around universities.

The problem with working at a university that is in or near the city center is that there is a VERY good chance that the university will have two campuses--- the new and the old and it's quite likely that you'll have to commute between the two.

Real estate in growing cities is very expensive, and like vikeologist said, public universities are moving away from the city centers to the boonies. Usually, the last thing that's built on the new campus is quarters for the FTs. Even if you do have quarters on the new campus, there's exists the likelihood that you'll have to commute to the old campus because there will still be classes taught there.

[vikeologist]

Sorry to drag this off-topic, but each semester we have more and more classes being taught at the remote campus.

We have 19 core classes (though we generate extra classes to fill up teachers' schedules), and now 9 of them are at the other campus, which involves getting up to catch a 7am bus.

I don't think it would be fair to move half our teachers to the other campus which is in the middle of nowhere, but having to go to the other campus used to be a 'rite of passage' that teachers only had to do for their first year.

The other alternative will be to have a teacher be there 2 days a week and stay overnight in the middle. I might tell them off the record that they're not allowed to date students, unless they're on the other campus. It might be the only way to ensure that I don't have to go.

[Happy Everyday]

If there's ever a Lord Bafford fan club, sign me up.

The offers I've seen are also dreadful. It seems most schools are not looking for outstanding applicants. They're looking for someone who will accept whatever it is being offered. Take it or leave it.

If not mistaken, the takers tend to be recent graduates wanting to travel, old retirees, and a lot of people from low income backgrounds. This third group is believed to be the majority of foreigners in China. The same disdain is expressed in our home countries towards immigrants.

Despite some differences of personality and/or opinion here, I highly respect everyone who shares their knowledge here. China is big, so all of our collective experiences are like individual pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

I see respect for well educated Chinese people in China but not for foreigners. The exceptions are usually those working in a prestigious university that has an exchange with China. You already know all this. I just think it's great that there are people like Lord Bafford. He's not asking for anything special. And he refuses to accept whatever is handed to him as though he is some kind of beggar.

[Non Sequitur]

Are we immigrants?
My gigs have all been on fixed term work visas.
aka the 'Z'.

[Happy Everyday]

[Toast]

[Lord Bafford]

I'm looking for a position with 16 hours or fewer per week for ethical reasons.

I know from experience that taking on more than this will render me unable to do the job to a high enough standard.

I'm sure there are many people out there who can stroll though 25 teaching hours with consummate ease;I'm not one of them.

Considering the sheer size of the EFL market in China I find it baffling that there are so few positions with a modest salary and workload.

[Bud Powell]

"...The funny thing is that I'm trying to convince my boss that my uni needs to pay more because there is this (erroneous) perception that Unis normally pay 6k, and maybe we need to pay that much, (i.e. more than almost every other university in our province) to get good teachers..."

It is my understanding that FAO's at public universities are allowed to exercise some discretion regarding salaries. The offerings may depend upon how desperate the school may be for teachers (and how much it wants to keep a particular teacher). My understanding is that in my part of Jiangsu, 7280rmb per month was the cap as of 2010 and was (supposedly) reserved for Ph.Ds.

At one vo-tech college, I worked with people whose credentials were a high school education and a BA in Theater. They were there before I arrived, so the BA in Theater was pulling down 7200rmb per month, and the high school grad was making 5200rmb per month. With my MA and MFA, I made 5500 per month because I arrived last. (I actually saw their pay vouchers when everyone's folded voucher was delivered to my door for me to give out to the others).

I wasn't there long. There were very good reasons why they couldn't attract or retain qualified teachers--- Chinese teachers included.

[mw182006]

[bluetortilla]

By the way, I've worked two years at a Polytechnic in GZ and make 7500 for under 16 hours.

I was planning on making the move to Yunnan in July. I have a March to March contract and realizing the awkwardness of it, asked my school if I could stay on another six months. They said yes (that was November), and we all (lawyer and president included) signed the final contract (it went through two revisions) three weeks ago. My school has always been up front with me on everything.

Last Monday my FAO submitted the application for the RP but we still haven't heard from them. So now I'm starting to get nervous. What if it doesn't come through?

I did think several months ago of having another job lined up just in case, but I fail to understand how you can do that and not alienate your Plan B employer when you turn them down. Everything seems to be done at the last minute here.

I imagine my RP will come through but if it doesn't I have until the middle of March to find the best job I can. I prefer a uni job too- don't care about pay for the moment but want time to study. I also really want to get out of March to March contracts. Oh- and I want to stay in China!

[Non Sequitur]

[BlueBlood]

[drjtrekker]

Too bad I did not see this post earlier...our UNI was looking for a couple of qualified teachers for Spring, but HR doesn't work over the holiday so it's too late now.
And I think my UNI is in the minority as far as above average pay and working conditions so its a good place to be.

and uh...er..., not a recruiter!

Unfortunately I think that many UNI's will not pay for the recruiter services such as the place I am at...and therefore we can't find teachers that we need. Often we get friends of friends to work with us.

Like others have said, if you can contact the FAO directly...that's the best bet, IMO.