Job Discussion Forums

[jobe3x]

I'm just right now starting to embark on a post graduation teaching program here in the states. I'm be certified to teach english in a year. Right now I'm debating whether to go overseas to teach in china, taiwan, or stay in the states. I love to travel as well as teach. I feel like there's really nothing holding me back in the states. So here my short list of questions:

1) Could I make a career out of this? Are you guys worried about no benefits or retirement?

2) Pros and Cons?

3) What is work enviroment like? How many hours do you usually spend working?

4) Are any considering going back to states? If so, why?

[Roger]

You posted the same question on the General forum, and I pointed out a few things there in general such as your motivation, travel etc.
As for CHINA, you should ask yourself why it's got to be this country rather than, say, the US of A?
Or why China rather than CHile?

If you still think China is your prime choice, consider:
- low job stability and security/ every year it's a new job, and every
time you have to make sure you get what you bargained for!
- Work time is somewhere between 12 hours a week and 40 hours
including a lot of office time at English FIrst language institutes!
- Pay is good but only by Chinese standards (and by standards
of other Third-World countries).

- Remember that one hour of contact time tires you as much as
2 to 3 hours in an office, and you have to prepare your lessons
before you come, so there is a lot less than what meets the eye!

- CHina is the classic nanny state - if you get hired you normally get
everything provided. He who pays also orders - you have very little
choice. The nanny quality extends to all spheres of life, including
to how your CHinese colleagues and students spend their spare
time. You are or are not part of their socialising/fraternising.
CHinese often live on employer-provided estates, take food
in a communal dining hall and go on subsidised holiday junkets.
The quality of all these communally-consumed goods and services
is rather low.
But you get better pay than them, so you can fork out more for your
personal needs.
If you want to save money and repatriate it you can, but it is a pain
in the ass to get your RMB converted into a foreign currency and
transferred out of China!

[Dragon]

I have been here 3 + years. Great fun and all but really haven't saved up enough money for retirement. But if you just keep on working then who cares. However, if this english thing slows down, which is highly possible, nothing will go on forever, not even the Chinese economy, then you just might want to get that Masters degree in something useful or a law degree.
Just my 2 cents
DRAGON

[MartinK]

...

[Dragon]

Yes, I also dread the reverse culture shock and feel the same way about my adventures in China. Currently I am planning to return this summer for Law School in the U.S. I always wanted to do it and feel that now is the time. With a Law Degree I can return to China and finally make some decent money and possibly have a savings account. I guess you have to take a chance. They boom times will end and China will surely find out once the good times come to an end. I think the chinese think it will never end. The SARS epidemic will definently show them of things to come as all societies eventually succumb to low growth rates whatever the cause may be.
DRAGON

[gerard]

jobe3x---Read Roger's post carefully he is usually right from what I can tell. Ignore this one (HA.) I wonder why people ask about saving potential in China even before coming here. A quick reading of these boards will give you the idea. Not only is the pay less than neighboring countries but banks are a lot of grief. Its a trade-off though. You mention Taiwan-I havent been there but it sounds like kiddie school hell. Hre in the PRC you can chill out and be relaxed. Depends on what you want. Come first and then woory about cash.

You ask specific questions so here goes...1) A career? In EFL yes,in China I have my doubts. Am I worried about no benefits? No but I should be.

2) Pros and cons. Pro-99 % of the people are very sweet. Con-The language barrier is massive better start on the Mandarin now. (Guess that is not a con---it is their country.)

3) Work environment? Laid back. Hours are light but I have been spending an ungodly amount of time making lesson plans. Some students have demanded I prepare more difficult and complex classes. Okey doke! But management leave you alone-in fact they don't tell you anything and you never see them. Wsa only told today-halfway through term that I need to give exams. A learning experience.

4) Will I return to the USA?? You bet I will. But the extent of my experience there was a week in Michigan a trip through New England and a 3-day pisser in NYC. You bet. San Fran here I come. Cheers!

[zacharybilton]