Job Discussion Forums

dandy-lion · Joined: 19 Jul 2015 Posts: 9 Location: Australia

Hi all, I'd be grateful if anyone could give me any advice on this situation.

I just received a job offer from a place in Shanghai, called North American Education (NAE), and they want me to start working at the end of January. They initially offered me 5000rmb monthly pay for 25 teaching hours, 15 office hours, and no apartment or apartment allowance, no airfare reimbursement. I replied and told them that I can't start work without a Z visa and that it would probably be hard to live on 5000rmb per month.

In their next reply they said that I could first enter with and L visa then apply for a work visa in China. They also mentioned that because I have a TESOL cert and a Bachelor degree it wouldn't be hard to get a FEC. Additionally they mentioned that they're willing to increase the salary.

So I was wondering if it would be a good idea to just bite the bullet and go with and L visa. Also, I wanted to know what people consider a decent salary, keeping in mind there's no free apartment.

Thanks in advance!

Osiry · Joined: 19 Mar 2015 Posts: 84 Location: Nanjing

Your 5000rmb will be gone on rent alone in Shanghai. This is a ludicrously low offer.

dandy-lion · Joined: 19 Jul 2015 Posts: 9 Location: Australia

They probably assumed they could take advantage of me since I looked fairly young and naive.
I've sent over an advert from the school that was posted in April which stated "competitive renumeration of 16,000 to 20,000 RMB" so hopefully that helps.

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

Run and don't look back.

rocket man · Joined: 19 Dec 2015 Posts: 110 Location: Raleigh NC USA

thats an appalling offer for what they want with no housing. They must think you are either that stupid or that desperate to get here.

Also the government is doing a huge crackdown on people who come here on L visa's to start. I don't think say a month in you would like to be seeing China from a prison cell.

RUN LIKE HELL FROM THIS OFFER!!!!!!!!

dandy-lion · Joined: 19 Jul 2015 Posts: 9 Location: Australia

So after I sent them the ad that I found online, they made me a new offer: To be a TA. Although it hadn't been an issue for them before, they suddenly mentioned that I needed 2 years of experience to work as an actual teacher. They said that the pay wasn't going to be as high as a normal teacher's but it would be higher than other TAs because I was a native speaker.

Figured that it wasn't worth it and turned them down.

Got a Skype interview(?) with Web while I was waiting for NAE to get back to me and got rejected because I was too young.

So now I've got no offers and still waiting on a response from Wall Street and EF. Any other decent places I could apply to?

Foo_Fighters_Dave · Joined: 09 Dec 2016 Posts: 162

You should be scrolling the job ads here to get a feel for what salaries are. It sounds to me that you jumped on the first job that got back to you. You mentioned that you looked young and naïve. I am assuming early twenties?

Look at the job ads and see what salaries are being offered and work from there.

doogsville · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 924 Location: China

That's a shockingly bad offer, there are other jobs out there. I've PM'd you about one possibility.

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

Of course the spring semester isn't the big hiring time so there's another whammy right there.
But along with others the SH offer is ludicrous.
In a 2nd tier town with accom on campus and airfares it might be acceptable as a 'foot in the door' strategy.
The hours (25+15) put it outside the standard SAFEA gig.
My surprise is the absolute gall of these clowns putting it forward.
Are you listed on seriousteachers.com?

dandy-lion · Joined: 19 Jul 2015 Posts: 9 Location: Australia

@doogsville - Thanks for the PM

@Non Sequitur - No I'm not listed...should I be?

danshengou · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2017 12:38 pm Post subject:

Pffft!

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Actually, in Shanghai you can now indeed go on a non-work visa and it will be converted as of mid 2006. Shanghai has liberalized in that aspect, but they do seem rather strict about the two years experience.

Does it have to be Shanghai? In most jurisdictions you will need to have a Z-visa prior to arrival, save those who are running the new visa-on-arrival pilot program.

Other jurisdictions can be more forgiving about the previous experience requirement. Some may try to coax you into the TEFL in China scam.

Hold your value. Despite the lack of experience, you are willing to teach in a polluted hellhole which suffers from a severe and worsening shortage of teachers year round. Don't allow them to try to convince you otherwise.

Best of luck!

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

Markness · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 738 Location: Chengdu

You can try and work in a city that is a bit smaller than Shanghai and many doors will be opened.

Edit: A Swedish dude I know showed me an offer they had gotten for Shanghai where they are offered 10k a month and share accommodation, perfect for those who are looking to travel apparently.. Razz

Degree was not required either. 5000RMB a month with no housing = living like a farmer in Shanghai, that is really really low.