Job Discussion Forums

[mm22]

Hi Guys,

This is something that's been on my mind...

Has anyone stopped to think about the financial risks involved with relocating to a new country to teach, only to find it doesn't work out?

I've never taught before, and thus am a newbie. With no real training offered at my school, there's a risk that I may find teaching a difficulty or that disputes may arise or that i'm simply not capable.

I realised the penalty clause on my contract is around $1000 australian if things don't work out - along with paying my airfares, accomodation, meals, visa etc etc (standard stuff I know).

I've been told to fork out four months rent in order to get accomodation ready when i arrive (the school offers allowance every month for this but you need to work for one month before you see any money - and in shanghai you've got to pay rent upfront)

And thus i've been told to bring about $1700 to cover first months costs... to get settled etc...

This will eventually all pay for itself if everything goes as planned...

HOWEVER...

So let's just say it doesn't work out? You loose out on everything, have to pay your airfares back, and pay the penalty clause of $1000. You come back home with a debt.

That's a lot of money to risk, no?

Is this not something that's on people's mind? or am i just too financially uptight?

[LHanks]

Most people that go to teach English do work out. Most schools are not that strict, they are always in need of teachers and arent going to throw you out if your are not the ideal teacher. The ones that usually end up leaving were ones that were overwhelmed-hadnt lived abroad before and didnt not prepare themselves. Like reading about the country before choosing to live there. Also the money situatiuon differs for each country. Best thing to do is research it. Main thing is to whole heartily want to do this, not running away from things. Moving towards something not away from it. If you want it you can make it work. Yes, this has risks like most things but the payoff it well worth it. Its broadens you in ways you would never believe. I encourage you to do it. One other safeguard-there are a lot of bad schools that make empty promises and dont treat their teachers well. The fact there is no training is a red flag. I always ask for emails (at least 2) of former teachers to check things out. If they dont give you them move on. I do that with all my teaching jobs.
Good Luck.

[LHanks]

Most people that go to teach English do work out. Most schools are not that strict, they are always in need of teachers and arent going to throw you out if your are not the ideal teacher. The ones that usually end up leaving were ones that were overwhelmed-hadnt lived abroad before and didnt not prepare themselves. Like reading about the country before choosing to live there. Also the money situatiuon differs for each country. Best thing to do is research it. Main thing is to whole heartily want to do this, not running away from things. Moving towards something not away from it. If you want it you can make it work. Yes, this has risks like most things but the payoff it well worth it. Its broadens you in ways you would never believe. I encourage you to do it. One other safeguard-there are a lot of bad schools that make empty promises and dont treat their teachers well. The fact there is no training is a red flag. I always ask for emails (at least 2) of former teachers to check things out. If they dont give you them move on. I do that with all my teaching jobs.
Good Luck.

[sojourner]

mm,

I'm surprised that the school wants you to fork out 4 weeks rent before commencing work !

I'm also an Australian and completed my first year of teaching at a Chinese "uni" in January this year.I'm back in Australia but will soon be departing these shores for a new job in the PRC.In both my previous job,as well as for my new one,rent-free accommodation (fully-furnished,non-shared) flat is a basic employment condition.What sort of outfit will you be working for ? Gut feeling tells me that is is some shonky language "school" chain.

In a previous post,you mentioned that you have a degree.If so,you should be considering a job in the tertiary college or university sectors.Admitedly,the salaries,class sizes, and the teaching resources in the college/uni sectors mightn't be as good as in the language schools ,but the hours worked , and the vacations, are much better.Of concern to you,in light of your most recent posting,is that the stress level would be much less than in language schools.As the latter are more blatantly market-oriented than colleges/unis,you'll probably be under pressure "to perform" should the students (or their parents) ever complain to your boss about your teaching approach.

With the uni/college sector you may be provided with an airticket to China,but most likely you'll have to pay for it yourself.However,after teaching for one term,you'll be either reimbursed for the cost of the forward journey or provided with a lump sum (usually 8 K RMB) for the round journey.

If the employer (whether it's a language school,uni or college) promises you anything over the Internet or verbally,you should ask them to include those promises in the actual written contractural document.

Ideally,one should undertake a basic course in ESL teaching (eg CELTA or the Trinity College course) before arriving in China.In the best language schools,I've been told,the D.O.S.,or whatever,will provide you with some basic training.With the unis and colleges,the more experienced FTs may give you some hints.Still,it might be a good idea for you to buy a book on basic ESL teaching,eg those by Jeremy Harmer or by someone called Scrivener (can't remember the first name).

Please feel free to PM me should you have any other concerns.

Regards,

Peter

[Roger]

I hope you can stomach some vinegar, mate.

It is a mistake to accept a job where you are on your own. Chinese employers have to prvoide you with housing - in general, that is. Shanghai is a bit different in that it has opened up much more than the rest of the country; therefore beware of who is hiring you!

Your employer can reasonably be expected to fork out your housing allowance up front, and if he doesn't cough it up then I would consider him not just stingy but risky.
WOrking without proper documentation routinely puts you in a situation that can easily turn into a quandary.

On the other hand, AUS$ 1700 in outlays upfront for integrating into life in a town like Shanghai is not unreasonable. Although I had a job lined up from day one of my sojourn here, I had enough money to tide me over several months if push had come to shove.
You do need some cushion in case things go wrong - another SARS epidemic, a road accident, the school going bust, a hold-up...

[ejw]

Hi MM

I haven't taught in Asia since the 1970's, in Korea 2 years as a Peace Corps Volunteer and then an additional 1� years at Yonsei Foreign Language Institute and a place called the Language Teaching Research Center (both good places), but I am just curious as to what kind of place this is that would have such conditions for employment. In the first place, they have everything to win by the arrangement you have described, and you have a lot to lose. For example, you might be almost finished with your contract when they start finding "problems" with your teaching. They could be clandestinely making notes of "problems" all along and suddenly call you into the office with a list of alleged grievances from students or other teachers.

Does the $1000 penalty for things not working out apply just when you leave, or when they also find reason to let you go? What kind of money are you making to justify the expenses you are incurring? Do you have a mentor/reliable contact at your place of work to help you get settled and to turn to in case of problems? What happens if you become ill? Is that grounds for terminating your contract, and thus the penalty?


Teaching in a foreign country is tough enough, and as you say, this is your first time teaching abroad and you have no experience. I got three months of language training (had already studied Korean at college) and two months of ESL training (theory and practice) before I ever stepped into a classroom. Even then it was rough. There are language problems and cultural differences that can result in misunderstandings, of course. There can be issues of jealousy, competition, and backbiting from colleagues. (I know of a PC Volunteer who was almost punched out by a professor.....)

I just wish you luck and hope everything works out. Please let us know how it goes.

EJW

[mm22]

Thanks so much for your replies and advice.

Peter, I agree with your advice on teaching at universities. I had a lot of responses from uni's, however, I find that many were not willing to train new-comers either. The thought of teaching not only english, but literature, oral english, and history to students around 3-4 years younger than me sounded a little daunting.

The school is more an academy, working with various organisations in Shanghai and Canada. They allocate teachers to work at different public schools (elementary) around Shanghai, a new pilot program apparently to help improve the standard of english for students with disadvantaged backgrounds. So I have a feeling that it's not really market-oriented...

From what i've researched and the information i've received from former teachers there (who are signing up another year, funnily enough) is that it's a pretty decent and reputable organisation. And with the contract being quite good - except for the housing issue which i'll try to negotiate with, your right Roger - it's quite obviously boiling down to my own confidence as a teacher. I think I'll have to research and read a lot of books on ESL. See how many resources I can gather up... Actually, the school asked me to bring my own teaching materials to 'liven' up the classroom.

But EJW, your absolutely right... the academy as all to gain in this arrangement, infact they loose out on nothing if anything goes wrong. I'm going to email them the list of important questiosn you outlined, definitely good advice.

Eeeek! the school semester is creeping up so quickly and i'm running out of time to find a decent school!

Thanks once again guys!