|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
BlueBlood
Joined: 31 Aug 2013
Posts: 261
|
 Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 4:22 am Post subject: Re: Starting in August |
 |
|
| buffalobill12323 wrote: |
| whimsical1 wrote: |
Nǐ hǎo! Hi everyone,
I know I've mentioned this on the forums (or think I have, anyway), but I am starting a job in China in August.
I'm honestly incredibly excited. I know there will be good and bad - I am an older female (not OLD mind you  ) and have lived in a lot of places, and worked in a lot of different jobs. But I have never yet worked in a foreign country.
My nickname here suits me, I am definitely whimsical, but I am also very level-headed. I like to be prepared. I've been lurking and reading and even asked questions here and there, and you have all been incredibly helpful. I have faithfully bookmarked threads I think I will really need later on. You are all terrific!
That said, I have more questions! I may even repeat some questions just to pull all the data gathered here to this thread (I currently teach science, data is king).
So, the questions -- First, I was hired by Disney English. I have looked and looked at other postings, and it seems what they offer is fair. It sounds like more than enough to live on and save. Am I kidding myself?
I will be in Chengdu, and understand the pollution problem. Are there a lot of water or food quality issues? I generally plan to cook for myself.
It also seems that the pay is decent for the amount of hours they want. Has anyone here worked for them? Did you feel overworked for the money? I'm a poorly paid teacher in the US, so for my crap salary I put in about 60 hours a week.
I'm not asking about the working hours. I am aware of the working schedule, and it's fine with me. Weekend/weekday doesn't matter to me at all. More the amount of hours vs. amount paid.
I am getting the TEFL-C through them. I gathered from what I have read that this might be useless if I want to teach elsewhere. I don't have the money to put into anything else right now.
Is this true, it would be a pretty useless piece of paper anywhere else?
What program might be inexpensive and do-able while I am in China working?
I won't have a car, obviously, so I gather the trains will get me to places to sightsee?
I've been trying to learn Mandarin. I can recognize the numbers 1-9 (Chinese sudoku!) but that is about all I can read (although I'm up to about 12 phrases I can say and comprehend). Will the lack of reading be a huge issue?
I have no idea where in Chengdu they are located, and have not been able to find out, despite getting several good link suggestions. I will want to live close to work if possible, does anyone know where they are located, so I can sort of scout the areas before I arrive?
My housing allowance will be taxed. I am not sure how much that will leave to actually spend on housing. Is there a way to get a good general idea? I will have a 3000 rmb housing allowance. Will that get me a decent furnished apartment after taxes? About what percentage should I expect to lose in taxes?
I have noted all the tips in the thread on landlords and renting. Again, you are awesome, I would never have known a lot of that stuff.
What are your "couldn't survive without..." or "glad I brought.." items?
Thanks! Xièxiè! |
I visited Chengdu recently, and I have a friend from there, it is a very grey city, the sun rarely shines, due to its geography, there is pretty much constant cloud cover. It does seem pretty cheap so your 3,000 should take you far. That is a good salary in a provincial city so there are positives to your situation. Personally I wouldn't touch Disney with a 10 mile pole - their hour to salary ratio is very sucky and their approach is not one I favor (glass walls, inquisitive parents, pointless office hours, uniforms) - however, the hours don't seem to bother you, so, otherwise you should be good.
The Shamrock is a nice little pub, if you fancy that sort of thing |
I just Skyped with a friend who lives in Chengdu earlier this week. You said it: Gray. Behind her were large office windows, and I don't think I've seen such gray before. I didn't dare ask her if it was clouds, fog, or, well, you know...
On the plus side she's gorgeous and says Chengdu is particularly known for beautiful ladies. Then again, perhaps that could be said for every city in China? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
whimsical1
Joined: 10 Mar 2014
Posts: 30
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
lol.. sadly, I don't think I will be adding to the beautiful ladies in China, but it seems there are quite enough of them anyway
Hopefully, the sun will peek out some. I will research the reasons for the gray skies. If nothing else, I can grab a train to chase the sun!
You guys are really awesome. I can't wait to check it out for myself. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Banner41
Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 656
Location: Shanghai
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:11 am Post subject: Re: Starting in August |
|
|
| fat_chris wrote: |
| buffalobill12323 wrote: |
| The Shamrock is a nice little pub, if you fancy that sort of thing |
Oh!
I respectfully disagree.
Warm regards,
fat_chris |
I respectfully disagree Chris  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Banner41
Joined: 04 Jan 2011
Posts: 656
Location: Shanghai
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
Chengdu is actually one of my favorite cities in China. I am going there this week for a few days just to eat and meet with some old friends.
I'll buy you a beer at Shamrock Fat Chris! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ltroshinsky
Joined: 17 May 2011
Posts: 40
Location: Maryland
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:12 pm Post subject: Disney English |
|
|
| I was told by Disney English that they couldn't hire me because I'm a 54 year old woman. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fat_chris
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:14 am Post subject: Re: Disney English |
|
|
Disney English sounds…wait for it…like a Mickey Mouse organization.
Hi ho! Hi ho! It's off to work we go!
Warm regards,
fat_chris
Last edited by fat_chris on Thu Mar 20, 2014 4:13 am; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
whimsical1
Joined: 10 Mar 2014
Posts: 30
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
LOL@fat_chris..
Oddly, they hired me anyway, and I am no teeny-bopper (and boy does that phrase date me!).
Honestly, I currently make less money, pay more expenses, and work way more hours as a teacher in NC. AND I put up with some really horrible treatment from the kids, the parents, the state..
I mean, really.. some of these kids have zero manners, and can't even be bothered to pick up after themselves, often purposely throwing stuff on the floor - stuff I spent my hard-earned money on.
I expect China to be really, really different. I expect there is bad and good about it. I'm hearing enough good that I'm willing to give it a try!
Peace! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fat_chris
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 4:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
| whimsical1 wrote: |
| I mean, really.. some of these kids have zero manners, and can't even be bothered to pick up after themselves |
Oh!
This may not be so different in the China actually. Picking up after oneself may be an afterthought--even by the most well-mannered students. The idea is, "hey someone else will clean up my litter/trash anyway so why should I bother?"
Seriously, many of the university classrooms/fast-food restaurants in Chengdu can end up being real pigsties.
Warm regards,
fat_chris |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
whimsical1
Joined: 10 Mar 2014
Posts: 30
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 4:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
| fat_chris wrote: |
Oh!
This may not be so different in the China actually. Picking up after oneself may be an afterthought--even by the most well-mannered students. The idea is, "hey someone else will clean up my litter/trash anyway so why should I bother?"
Seriously, many of the university classrooms/fast-food restaurants in Chengdu can end up being real pigsties.
Warm regards,
fat_chris |
I am sure the same is quite true here. I am talking about IN the classroom, on purpose, just because. Not accidental dropping and just ignoring it. They do it with a smirk on their face. They are teens/pre-teens, so it goes with the territory.
If the students in China have even the tiniest bit of sense and decorum, it's a hundred times more than my middle-schoolers, and I have been dealing with them for 7 years. If I hate working for Disney, I'll leave after a year, and it was an experience, for better or worse, right? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NoBillyNO
Joined: 11 Jun 2012
Posts: 1762
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 4:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Honestly, I currently make less money, pay more expenses, and work way more hours as a teacher in NC. AND I put up with some really horrible treatment from the kids, the parents, the state..
I mean, really.. some of these kids have zero manners, and can't even be bothered to pick up after themselves, often purposely throwing stuff on the floor - stuff I spent my hard-earned money on. |
I hear the same from many stateside teaching folk.....as well as position being staffed by agencies and not State HR's.....Temp teaching will be the way many states go as education funding is cut time and time again. My retirement is lock in at a good rate of interest and constantly I am getting calls from the state asking me to cash it in as the state is short on cash and former teachers who have retirement and have not taken it are paid at a higher interest rate.....
Entitlements are by far the highest line item on any budget and in the future, gov's are not gonna wanna shackle themselves wit retirement or health cost benefits. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Toast
Joined: 08 Jun 2013
Posts: 428
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 6:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
| whimsical1 wrote: |
| If the students in China have even the tiniest bit of sense and decorum..... |
Comedy Gold!!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
whimsical1
Joined: 10 Mar 2014
Posts: 30
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| NoBillyNO wrote: |
I hear the same from many stateside teaching folk.....as well as position being staffed by agencies and not State HR's.....Temp teaching will be the way many states go as education funding is cut time and time again. My retirement is lock in at a good rate of interest and constantly I am getting calls from the state asking me to cash it in as the state is short on cash and former teachers who have retirement and have not taken it are paid at a higher interest rate.....
Entitlements are by far the highest line item on any budget and in the future, gov's are not gonna wanna shackle themselves wit retirement or health cost benefits. |
@NoBillyNo - I agree. Entitlements cost too much. Funny that the Senators and Congresspersons, etc - all get to keep theirs, huh? I wonder how much money the US would have if we stopped paying the entitlements to the politicians?
They are definitely working to move teaching into a temp job situation. Currently, all we can expect in NC is a year contract, and they are doing away with any form of tenure or "career status", although I know other states have it way better. Honestly, I'm good with the year contract, as long as they have to pay me what they agreed to pay me - which they don't. If they decide they don't have enough money, they can just reduce my salary!
There is a huge disparity in teacher treatment, depending on what state you live in.
I think that will be the same no matter where I go. Kids are kids, people are people, and politicians are.. well.. we aren't always sure
@Toast - do you mean to say the kindergarteners in China act like .. 5 year olds!? lol.. Its ok, so do the 7th graders here!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Toast
Joined: 08 Jun 2013
Posts: 428
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 1:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
| whimsical1 wrote: |
| @Toast - do you mean to say the kindergarteners in China act like .. 5 year olds!? lol.. Its ok, so do the 7th graders here! |
Sounds like you'll be well prepared then. My mission this semester has been to stop my university level students hacking up a phlegm-wad and spitting it on the floor of the classroom. It generally happens at least once every class period. Believe it or not I'm actually making progress - they still spit the blood flecked contents of their seemingly diseased lungs onto the floor, but then proceed to half-assedly clean it up with a tissue or piece of trash from their pocket - which then gets thrown under the desk  ....baby steps and all that, though, right?
(*edit* Last semester's victory was to get the boys to stop smoking in empty classrooms with the windows open "But teacher now can no classings here!" "I know, but in 5 minutes there might be and you're in here with the windows closed smoking and they will have to study with that smell.". They now smoke in the empty classrooms with the windows open!!)
*Double edit* Apologies if my post is off-topic - I didn't read the rest of the thread. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
whimsical1
Joined: 10 Mar 2014
Posts: 30
Location: United States
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 1:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
It's ok, it was funny, so...
And see, that gives me a positive about my current students! They rarely spit on the ground inside the classroom! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NoBillyNO
Joined: 11 Jun 2012
Posts: 1762
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 2:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Wanna kill two birds with one stone, introduce Tobacco Spitting Contest. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
