Job Discussion Forums

[KnockoutNed]

I've been at a public school for about a year and a half now. I'm making 12,300 a month in SZ. My job is very relaxed, I teach about 15 40-minute lessons a week at a primary school. I am not required to be there when I'm not teaching. The kids, for the most part, are really good. I don't have any paper work, lesson plans, or work meeting that I have to go to. They provide full salary for Chinese New Year and half salary for summer. In total I get about 14 weeks paid holiday

I also do part-time work a few nights a week for an additional 6-10k.

My main reason for coming to China was to save up $.

I was offered a job at another school which would have paid 19k for 25 lessons a week, but it has a horrible reputation (Yaohua Experimental School)

I have a degree, TEFL and about 6 years experience

[Markness]

You can make more money, but in China I've found that having an awesome employer is as common as people peeing in the toilet here. If you are really desperate then ask around at that school, but if people say it is terrible then don't do it unless you are absolutely desperate for the extra cash. You are happy now aren't you? Trust me, the extra money and extra work at a terrible place will make you want to bail and then you've burned your bridges with your school that you are perfectly happy with. I wouldn't leave unless I was unhappy, so I wouldn't recommend it in your situation.

[Timer]

[KnockoutNed]

[jimpellow]

From what you share, I think it would be foolish to change to the job which requires more work, a minimal amount of money more, and has a terrible reputation. By the time they get done doing the things to you that are part of the reason they have such a bad reputation, you will very likely be making less than you do now and miserable. Plus you have to go through the hassle of changing over your visa, etc.

If you really want to save money, I would stay where you are and look for a more lucrative replacement for the part time job. Maybe teaching online to Japanese during the evening or starting a side venture if you have an interest and the drive.

Or during the summer if so desired you could pick up a summer camp gig in another country and expand your horizons and experience.

[hdeth]

You would probably end up paying more in taxes at the other job, right? It doesn't sound like you wouldn't earn much more overall and you would put yourself at risk of working at a crap job.

My current job is 25 teaching hours max but with night classes, meetings, office hours, and all the other bull some people are working very long hours here and getting burned out.

You're better off picking up some extra hours here or there. If you're satisfied with your current job I wouldn't change it.

[doogsville]

Stay until you're too bored and/or complacent, then move on. If it ain't broke and all that. Job satisfaction is harder to come by than money, no matter what country you're in. Think hard about what 'better' would actually constitute. How likely are you to find it out there?

I get that you're trying to bank $$$, but ending up in a worse job could mean that you spend more to make yourself happy in other ways, or you lose your motivation in general. If you really want to make more money, look into other, non teaching income streams. There are plenty of opportunities on-line, or doing other things. That way you're future proofing your income at the same time as increasing it.

[GreatApe]

I'm just a few hours up the road from you, and Markness' post pretty much sums up my feelings regarding your situation:

[Deats]

Depends on benefits from both places. I.e. do you get paid housing in both? 14 weeks holiday in both etc etc.

I'd probably stick with what I have if I like the place and make up the extra money with privates etc - exactly like you are currently doing.

[Guerciotti]

Damn OP I'm kinda jealous. My opinion, don't leave that job so fast.

I'm doing these "international high school" jobs and I am not sure it's worth it.

So I agree with some others. Relax, no need to move quickly.

[isitts]

[hdeth]

Bear in mind also that at an "international" school you may have evening duties that are not necessarily listed in your contract. Some teachers at my school are here for 13 hours on some days...some 2-3 days per week...since you have to maintain office hours during the day. It can be like a really crappy split shift sometimes, with office hours in between.

[isitts]

[hdeth]

[bestteacher2012]