Job Discussion Forums

[ESL104]

Hi,

Got offered a job in Beijing. They've sent the contract over and I was wondering what people made of it. It seems like a good deal to me but just want to get some more views before I sign.

My personal stats: Have 2 years EFL experience, a BA, and a crappy online TEFL that took about a day to complete.

- 11500rmb a month after tax.
- 20 teaching hours a week (a teaching hour is a 45 minute lesson).
- No office hours.
- 10 months salary.
- 10000rmb airfare reinbursement
- Medical insurance provided
- Working in a government primary school. They say the latest I would ever leave the school is 3:15pm, though of course I'm free to leave whenever I don't have class.
- Contract starts in March.
- Z visa is provided, and they will get the visa prior to my arrival in China.

Now I've worked out hourly rate. Based on 115000rmb a year, and 38*20 lessons a year, it works out as 115000/760 = 150rmb an hour. Which doesn't seem too bad for a full time job that provides the work visa.

In addition the finishing at 3:15pm (at the latest) is a big deal for me - it means I'll have all evening to do privates/training centre work, which seems to pay pretty decent in Beijing.

I was thinking if I can do a couple of hours in a training centre Monday-Friday...let's say 44 hours a month at 200rmb/hr, I'd have another 8800 which brings me a shade over 20k RMB a month. Might be able to squeeze in the odd Saturday as well since there's no weekend work. Don't get paid for the summer but from what I understand there's ample opportunity to do a training centre grind during the daytime there to compensate for this?

Does the contract seem fine?

[BleedingBlue]

ONLY YOU can decide what is fine. Neither me nor anyone else out there has to live with the terms and conditions. ONLY YOU can decide if you are willing to accept what is offered. Why do you think any of us can be momma or pappa and tell you what to do. Sorry (not really) to be frank, bit there are many threads with this same question, but fact is, you and you alone are responsible for your actions and whether you can abide by the terms you agree to. None of use here can offer solitude. If you think it is fine, then agree, if not then move on. I just don't get what people need some sort of hand holding - if you require such 3rd party order for you to do or not do ... then you are way out of your environment by living alone in a foreign country. That's simply how I see it. Unpopular answer, but that doesn't phase me one bit.

[Bud Powell]

[Simon in Suzhou]

Do they provide housing? If yes, this is Ok. If not, it would be a no-go for Beijing.

[thechangling]

[Voyeur]

Without paid accommodation or an accommodation allowance, that salary does not seem great for Beijing.

You should also ask for some sample schedules from current teachers so you can get an idea of how tightly they pack your schedule.

You also need to get an idea of how much an apartment within walking distance of your school would cost.

If you have to travel say 30 minutes to school and back, even 20 45-minute classes could end up taking 30+ hours a week out of your schedule.

Also, it's nice if the contract does not forbid outside work, but that doesn't necessarily solve the legal problems of part-time work. Working anywhere but the location specified on your Z-Visa may be against immigration law, regardless of what labor law or your contract says. Then again, ignoring that bit of immigration law is something many people do, and if your contract doesn't forbid it, then at least your university won't be looking to trip you up.

P.S. What's up with the 10-month contract starting in March? Typically, ESL teachers at school get the winter vacation off and paid for. But now you will have to work the two unpaid summer months, and then leave in mid-January? And of course it might be tough to get a new job in a school until March again. Not sure what is up there. Don't you legally need to sign a 1-year contract to get the Z-Visa?

[LarssonCrew]

5000 could be burnt through for simple housing and bills, leaving you at 6500 RMB a month...in Beijing...for 20 hours a week. Exhausting.

You could work 14 hours at a uni and get 7000 and a house.

[Non Sequitur]

Accommodation is the deal breaker for me too both from cost and convenience sides.
On campus means that spare time isn't taken up with commuting. Split shifts are also an issue if you live off campus.
For your first job it is as important to minimise downside stuff as much as seek upside.
In my experience, even if your contract say no privates it is hardly ever enforced. I got my best ever private job from the FAO at my school.

[ESL104]

Cheers all. The reason I thought it might be OK was because the last class absolutely finishes at 3:15pm...which means the job wouldn't interfere with any potential private/language centre work which is almost always evenings/weekends.

No accomodation isn't provided.

Is accomodation really that expensive in Beijing? I don't read Chinese so it's a bit difficult to find estimates since google searches normally address people on expat salaries with kids who obviously pay for much more high end places.

Guess I was comparing it to a uni job (i.e. probably 5500 a month + 3000 apartment which would effectively be 8.5k a month for 16-18 hours a week, so 20 hours for 11.5k didn't seem to be that bad?). Have I seriously unestimated housing costs (or uni salaries in Beijing?). Was hoping 3k rmb would be enough for a 1 bedroom place with a bathroom?

[jm21]

11k for primary school with no housing sucks. Beijing is a huge city so it's hard to say exactly what housing costs would be. Out in the 'burbs might not be too expensive, depending. Try 58.com with a translator.

My theory is that most of the teachers in China are older guys. They don't have the energy for young kids. So I generally see higher salaries for teaching young children.

10 months is one school year. You would get paid summer vacation but you'd only get winter vacation pay if you renew. That's what I would think they meant at least.

If you are in country and flexible on location you should be able to score some last minute deals in the next couple of weeks. Start work in december or early January, work 1-2 months, get paid winter vacay, then teach for one school year. At public schools at least.

I would think unis in Beijing would pay more than that but haven't looked. Not a lot more but I would think at least 6 or 7 shouldn't be that hard. Maybe 8 or 9 if you get lucky.

[BleedingBlue]

[Bud Powell]

YOU must apply for the Z visa in your home country, and your invitation letter must accompany your letter of invitation and in-country health examination. That's how it works.

If you are told otherwise, RUN!

[Voyeur]

You should inquire as to housing prices near the school. I don't think you always need on campus accommodation at a Uni or school, but you need to be able to get close (10-min walk or less).

If the school is in a part of Beijing where apartments are cheaper, and the classes are scheduled tightly, things might be okay. Of course, if your apartment is in a cheaper location that might mean you have to travel a lot for privates or your second job.

[LarssonCrew]

Another thing finding your own accommodation, if you turn up in Beijing all excited having to find it yourself, you might be stuck with having to lay out $3-4000 at one time.

Perhaps:

2 months rent 10000
1 month deposit 5000
Say internet bill in one lump sum 1500
Other start up costs 2/3000

Suddenly you need to have 20,000 RMB in your pocket on your arrival on top of having paid for your airfare.

[Bud Powell]