Job Discussion Forums

[theoriginalprankster]

I've got too fairly good job offers on the table, and need to make a decision by the end of the week, more or less.

Take a look at the info provided below, and please give me your take..

Malaysia

1.Position: teacher trainer
2.Responsibilities: teacher training workshops and one-to-one engagement with local teachers, with feedback on their ESL teaching skills/weaknesses, etc.
3.Contract: 12 months, with possibility of extension and raise
4.Hours: 7.30am-1.30pm, Monday-Friday
5.Company: Brighton (http://www.brightoneducation.org/)
6.Areas:  Johor, Pahang, Terrenganu and Kelentan
7.Salary: 7500MYR/month (less 25% tax for the first 181 days, 10% of that returned after 181 days, 15% tax thereafter)

Other stuff: cellphone (+ airtime), vehicle (+ fuel) and 1500MYR towards apartment provided (monthly). Airfare paid beforehand. 12-14 weeks paid holiday.

Initial 7-10 days hotel is provided, with three day training and assistance in finding accommodation.

Bonus: 25% of yearly salary, given at year end.

Start up costs: approximately 5000-7000MYR

1USD = 3. 76MYR

Pro’s: career development, change of environment (ie. Less of the peasant behaviour one encounters in China - I spent 10 years there). Small city life. Close to beaches, mountains, fresh air, Thailand. Work visa can be obtained within a day, 90 day travel visas issued on arrival.

Con’s: Malaysia is fairly conservative - I’m a single male in my late 30s, looking to find a lady (not ladies), not celibacy. Might get stuck in a highly Malay Muslim dominated province/area - could be restrictive. Isolation - a remark another poster made on my previous thread pointed out his friend felt isolated - I would like to build up a circle of friends, regardless of ethnicity.

______________

China

1.Position: ESL teacher and IELTS test prep specialist (I was an examiner for four years)
2.Responsibilities: ESL teaching to junior, middle and senior high school students at a private/international high school in Xiamen (rich, possibly spoilt kids)
3.Contract: 12 months, with possibility of extension and raise
4.Hours: 35/week. 3 hours/day office + 20 40 minutes lessons. Monday-Friday.
5.School: Yingcai High School (http://www.eslemployment.com/c/xiamen-yingcai-international-school.html)
6.Areas:  Jimei District (off Xiamen island, approx. 40-60 minutes to Xiamen island itself)
7.Salary: RMB10420/month (tax: RMB500/month, non-refundable), RMB50/hour for extra periods.

Other stuff: July and August are paid, but they’re summer holidays, so no work. One month Spring break unpaid. All in all 11 months paid, 9 months worked.

Free apartment on-campus (shared - don’t like that), free meals in canteen, free buses onto Xiamen island.

Bonus: None. Airfare reimbursement of RMB3500 + RMB2000 for internal travel (paid in cash at end of contract, along with June, July and August months)

Start up costs: approximately RMB5000

1USD = RMB6.2

Pro’s: I can speak Mandarin - spent 13 years in Taiwan and China. Free accommodation and meals (hmm, con?). I can do this job blind-folded, I’ve done it for 13 years.

Con’s: China all over again? Feels like treading water. Apparently some of the rich kids don’t give a damn, and sleep/play with phones/show disinterest in class. I left a job like this before I worked at Xiamen University, where the students were excellent. I can manage lazy, rich kids, just don’t want to really. Have to get my own airticket over there, plus pay for the Z visa. Restrictive internet (although Astrill sorts that out). China seems to becoming more aggressively nationalistic, and quite frankly I don’t agree with many of the government’s internal and international policies.

Both jobs start late August. Both jobs provide health insurance.

Which one would you go for?

[spiral78]

Teacher trainer. Even if you lasted only a year (due to isolation issues, perhaps) it looks far better on your CV than teaching Chinese kids. You can use this experience to join the interesting English Medium Instruction conversations if you wanted, and it would be useful if you decided to take a DELTA course (assuming you haven't already - apologies if you have).

If you're an IELTS examiner already, you're not moving ahead with the China job. If you're not already an IELTS examiner, it's still easier to get this on your CV in future if you need it than teacher trainer.

Mind you, I'm biased (allergic to kiddies, even if they are 20). IELTS is dull work, additionally, IMO. I'm loosely involved with a couple of research projects on EMI (above) and teaching both content and EFL teachers is a part of my job, so obviously I'm interested. These are my opinions only, obviously, though I do think as a career move the TT gig is far more useful.

[theoriginalprankster]

Thanks for the reply s78 - yes I was an IELTS examiner (Speaking) for four years in China.

It bored me to near death. I'm sure I fell asleep a couple of times with those 4.5-5.5 candidates.

I skipped Writing examining, because as an avid reader and writer it would cause a brain implosion reading the junk they lay down (I've tutored 100+ students prepping for the test - I've seen it with my two own eyes, and what I saw I cannot un-see).

I think I'll go with the TT job - definitely a rung up the ladder, and plenty of time to tutor on the side and/or do some online studying and throw in plenty of exercise too!

Malaysia could/should be a welcome break from China. I think I might be China-ed out, after 13 years.

More replies and advice are definitely welcome.

Cheers!

[rtm]

[bule_boy69]

12-14 weeks off? Really? Nice one.

No choice of location whatsoever then?
I have done some time in a place that could be described as dull/quiet/restrictive and have experienced the isolation that you fear. It's fair enough that you are concerned about it.

I would say that if the location is handy for Thailand or at least nearish an airport then a year is more than doable as those holidays will get you through. Besides,I'd guess the locals would be nice enough even if you find the place/them a bit dull/conservative. There should be a reasonable level of English wherever you live and it's pretty easy to pick up basic Malay. Might end up being a nice break from Chinese culture for you despite being a little too laid back for your tastes.

If you do end up somewhere like that can you transfer after a year?

[spiral78]

Teacher training happens world-wide:-)