Job Discussion Forums

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

Okay, a bit of a misnomer. for those of us "teaching" oral english in
universities, colleges, high schools and middle schools......the vast majority
of us..we're not teachers. we're glorified babysitters. sure, we've got
contracts that say "teacher," but what we do cannot be compared to the
real teaching done by real teachers in other countries. apples and
crescent wrenches.

why no comparison? what about qualifications -- we don't need a degree
in teaching methodology, and we don't need teaching experience. some
few localities may "require" these (can be waived), but not required by law.

real teachers work five days a week, usually at least 30 hours, if not a
full 40-hour week. what do we do? 12 hours? 14 hours? some even put
in 16 whole hours. minimal preparation, no oversight, no required results.
is it any wonder a backpacker who spends class time talking about his
ex-girlfriends in thailand can be a success?

so why all the fricking hype...and spam....about salaries in china being almost
the lowest in the world? no, i don't have a link to an article i posted on
an anonymous blog, or "published" in a vanity website to "prove" whatever
agenda i'm pushing this week.

your basic FT "works" 12-16 hours a week, has few responsibilities, gets
a free apartment and utilities, and receives a round-trip flight. all those
cool benefits plus about a grand a month (nearly tax-free).

our "work" generally can't be compared to real teachers, so what then?
nannies? au pairs? babysitters? performance artists? you tell me.

i'd argue that given the requirements for our jobs, and the amount of
effort expended, and the type of work we do............we're way overpaid!

i'd guess (sorry, no link to some nonexistent organization) if you compare
our salary and benefits to part-time childminders, we're probably among
the highest paid employees in the whole wide world!

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I saw a thing on here a long time ago about the service we actually provide. We're cogs in the machine that teaches them how to work in factories; when to get up, when to arrive at the workplace, when to eat....

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

I think there needs to be a distinction made between a teacher and 'a teacher'. I've no qualms admitting that I took the easy life as you said...12 hours a week, free apartment, no bills, long holidays etc. However, I worked damn hard at my job (it just didn't occupy my whole week). Sure, I could have got by with no lesson prep, just turn up and shoot the breeze, but I took pride in my work, to me, teaching should be a profession. That meant lesson planning, creating materials, researching teaching methods, all of which took time and dedication.

To be lumped in with the backpacking type does annoy me.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

+1 to the bro yo choudoufu for hitting the nail on the head. Basically puts it all into perspective for all and especially for those who have lost the plot.

I guess it's just a matter of time before Spamela Anderson, Spamuel L. Jackson and Sir Spam-a-Lot make their less-than-triumphant returns to the forums here with another round of their blah-blah-blahing. Rolling Eyes

Warm regards,
fat_chris

Kysorb · Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Posts: 253 Location: Beijing

Some days I wish I was just a regular ESL teacher in China and could wake up around lunch time, put on my boots, and go into work for a few hours..

In my spare time, I'd complain about how much work I have to do for the money. (Which as its "tax free" is usually more than they have ever made back home)

Some peoples kids man, some peoples kids......

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

TrampledKlown · Joined: 22 Sep 2012 Posts: 44

Actually, we can.

A standard university gig in the gulf is

12 hours/week

No office hours

18-24,000 renminbi/month

1-2 bedroom apartment

2 months PAID vacation

we really can't compare salaries of teachers in other lands and salaries
of 'teachers' in china.[/quote]

MozartFloyd · Joined: 12 Jul 2013 Posts: 66 Location: Guangdong, China

Don't forget paid vacation. This past Jan/Feb I spent on the beach of Vietnam. Last summer I went to Cambodia for a month. Spring Festival the year before was Indonesia, and this July: Thailand. Who travels like that in the West on a grand a month salary? No one I know.

I too work hard in my 16 hours and my students appreciate it. But hard work ... nah! Ain't no doubt, a China Uni job is about the best vacation, I mean job, in Asia.