Job Discussion Forums

[buravirgil]

[Piper2]

[NiHaoDaJia]

As we all know, China's economy is growing rapidly and the country is reaching a much higher level of development. This means China's need is for teachers with higher education and qualifications. China's gross domestic product increased 7.5% in the second quarter of 2014, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China. I am an English teacher from America teaching in China because I enjoy the culture and society. There is a need for teachers who have proper degrees, experience, and skills and follow the rules, standards, and customs of China.

[Highlander.Mark]

[Bud Powell]

All econobabble aside, if we were dealing with a western business model based upon supply-and-demand, if the supply of FTs were to drop and demand remained constant, pay would increase in order to increase the number of qualified FT wanting to work in China.

My guess is that when it becomes clear that merely raising the standards set for FTs won't equate more, quality FTs, Chinese bureaucrats won't think to raise the salaries. Instead, what will probably happen is that the schools will figure a way to flout the law to a greater degree than the past. If money is to be made in the process (e.g., selling Z visas in HK) the problem of incompetent FTs may worsen.

My cousin's kid just graduated college and is working in Dubai and pulling down $40,000.00 for a one-year contract. Do you think China will pay that kind of money for qualified western teachers?

No. In addition to paying primarily subsistence wages, China makes it difficult for FTs to even send money out of the country. Go figure.

[LongShiKong]

[Piper2]

Thanks all for continuing the discussion...

NiHaoDaJia, many if not most posters would agree with you that China should ensure a better standard of FT teaches English The problem is how will China attract those better qualified and experienced (which on paper translates into better) teachers? The Middle East attracts these teachers by offering more money than other places. I was wondering if other posters thought it likely that China would start offering more money.

Bud, I think state schools will not raise pay (at least not for a long while), but what about private schools? Many private schools already pay much more than state schools which to me suggests they understand how better pay/package helps to attract and retain the higher qualified and more experienced teachers that in turn encourages parents to part with their cash. I think private schools might increase pay if they cannot get enough of the teachers they want.

I also think many schools resorting to flouting the law is a likely outcome if they refuse to raise pay. Is this a risky option for the schools (we already know it is for FTs)? Is the government likely to let these new regulations slide? Or is the problem there are too many bureaucrats on the take for this stricter government policy to really take hold?

If so, if only private schools will improve pay (assuming they will), it looks like these schools are where we will see most of the more qualified FTs. Which in turn may cause sufficient or over-supply of qualified FTs for these schools, tending to stabilise or reduce private school pay?? Does this mean we need the authorities to enforce regulations to see any chance of significant pay increase?

[Bud Powell]

[Buckeye Bob]

Yes you are correct OP. But it goes beyond the "new regulations". Horrific air pollutions, and endless scams and schemes are also keeping people from coming to China to teach, as well as the fact that Korea, Japan, and Singapore pay almost 50%-150% more in wages for the same hours worked.

People who remain in China should be in a position to ask for a significant pay raise these days. BTW... just look at how many new job ads include free housing as compared to just five years ago. This is a sure sign of HR desperation.

[SH_Panda]

[The_Kong]

[Buckeye Bob]

[LarssonCrew]

Japan pays what? $3000 a month?

I spoke to a guy in Korea pulling in $3500 a month teaching 28 hours or so.

In Singapore most English tutors charge around 250-300 rmb per hour.

I guess it's the same as some first tier cities in China, but my friend worked at a Japanese university in the sticks and still picked up close to $3000, is there ANY uni that will pay 18,000 RMB a month in China?

[Bud Powell]

[The_Kong]