Job Discussion Forums

druchill · Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Posts: 5

I've been offered a university job in the Haidian district at a top university:

Benefits & conditions are as follows:

Return airfare upon contract completion
On-campus housing incl.utilities (however no housing allowance possible)
Choice of working either 14h or 20hours a week
14h = 4300RMB/month and 20h = 9000-10000RMB (so chose 20h)
Fully paid holidays.
They have me pay for the medical check upon arrival though (600RMB).
Working days should be 5/6 days a week including weekends, but they will try to give me 2 days off in the week.
max. 40 students per class (BA - English majors)

Teaching 2 /3 courses, however the same lesson for each preparation for effectively one lesson per course.
Probably Conversation/Public Speaking, Writing, and, Culture.

From my research it seems like a good deal, especially since this is the highest I've been offered but then again it is Beijing and not sure what other unis offer in the area/city, + it'll be my first job in China.

Btw I have a Bachelors with 4+ years teaching experience in Korea and currently have only the dissertation left to finish my MA Education (English language teaching).

Does this sound like a good deal to you guys?

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I would be wary of 20 hrs if there was a lot of marking.
Just check holiday pay.
Everyone gets Spring Break paid but only get summer (July/August) if you re sign for a further year.
'Holidays paid' is too vague.
Is return airfare a refund of actual amount you paid, or something they calculate from their friends at Kazakh Air with a 2-day layover in Ulan Bator?

druchill · Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Posts: 5

Well since I'm starting at the end of the month I'll get summer off with full pay and Jan-March as well should I choose to extend my contract.

In regard to the return flight, it is of my choosing and according to the fao which I met here in London after the skype interview: 'you don't need to worry about the flight, it can be a little expensive ..the uni will pay back anyway in January'

Yes, I have to ask about the amount of marking but I think I have freedom over assessment. I did ask when I had a skype interview the first time round but If I remember correctly, it was up to me. I do have to prepare them for their exam in the final week of the semester.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Sounds like they really want you.
Is there only an end-of-semester exam or do they want classwork component to the final mark? Given you're only working a part semester they may be happy with just a final, but expect you to go on to a 'normal' 60/40 pattern from 1 Sept in the new academic year.
Maybe a further question or Google Maps research on how far the campus is from town.
Also of course the pollution is insane. I haven't been in BJ since 2010 and have no plans to visit anytime. That said most places are pretty dire now on air quality.
Best
NS

The Great North · Joined: 24 Feb 2015 Posts: 26 Location: Beijing

Looks like a good deal for a university especially if the apartment is included as usual in the case of uni jobs.

Big_H · Joined: 21 Dec 2013 Posts: 115

Why is the university not paying for your medical check?
What next, are they charging you for the residence permit and the FEC?

druchill · Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Posts: 5

Yes I wondering about the medical check too but have amended the contract to state that the uni will cover the costs for the work permit and visa. Since the salary is higher than any other university I have found information on or offered a position, I thought it not a big deal since it's around 600RMB right?

hdeth · Joined: 20 Jan 2015 Posts: 583

It sounds fine. I've had to pay for medical exams before...a full one is 500-600 usually. Not a big deal. As long as it isn't shared housing that sounds like a decent deal.

They probably had someone not show up or quit at the last minute and need someone to fill a spot. Seems like most of the good deals are last minute ones.

JRJohn · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 175

You would do well to read all the replies, look at all the questions raised in the replies, and make a list of questions for the university based on them and any other things you are not sure of. You may have been successful in Korea and lucky in your employer there. But the U.S. Embassy website in Seoul has a permanent warning to teachers about the dangers of working in dodgy, dishonest schools. The same warning exists on the American Embassy's Beijing website, and for the same reason. The job may or may not be okay, but from what I've read it looks fine. However, you to clarify details to know whether or not you can work happily for that team, and to avoid nasty surprises. . That's very important. I will pm you about my experiences in Beijing where I live.