Job Discussion Forums

travelbug66 · Joined: 27 May 2015 Posts: 26

I think the go go years of TEFL have long gone as well. I still remember my first job in Qatar in 1999, one of the teachers there said he was earning £2000 a month in the early 80's !!! Look at Saudi Arabia, nearly all the jobs are offering £2000 a month, and that is for Saudi ! One of the worst hell holes any TEFL teacher could end up in. What are the bets, all Chinese language schools learn from the Korean market and in 15 years time will be offering pay of 10,000 to 15,000 RMB a month and still getting 50 applicants applying. There are always going to be a huge market on 20 something graduates with a TEFL qualification who are willing to accept low or stagnating wages, and forget pension plans or sick pay or maternity leave or anything else that 'real' jobs in the west give you. I'll say it again, for newbies, enjoy 1 year in China, then go back to the West and try with your degree to get an entry level job in whatever occupation you can. I am incredibly fortunate my mother helped me buy an apartment in the UK in 2001 for £65,000. Today it is worth £200,000, there isn't a single chance as a TEFL teacher working for 50 years could I ever buy that now.

Hermosillo · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: jobs

nimadecaomei · Joined: 22 Sep 2016 Posts: 605

I recently did not have my contract renewed. Forced me to look for a new post and the salary at the new job is three times what I have been earning. Tin Man asked to hear something nice for a change, I feel good about it Very Happy

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

Hatcher · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 602

I know teachers who saved or earned that amount. I save 20-25,000 RMB a month. In Korea, I once taught 65 classes a week and SAVED 75,000 CND$ in a year,,, did it a few times.

tin man · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 137

Saving 10000 RMB per month is not easy in the US even with a decent salary.

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

nimadecaomei · Joined: 22 Sep 2016 Posts: 605

I was making 12-14k the last few years and minus the wife and child, 10k would have been a reasonable saving. Now I will be making over 30k and 20k a month even with them should be reasonable. You have to take into account taxes though. I am planning to save around 10-15k with a family of three (me, wife, baby). Depends on the month and such, and babies do this thing and grow. He is really not a baby, he is a 2 year old, but also not expensive. Diaper use is for bed time, clothes size changes are negated by buying less or bigger clothes, and he eats the same as us now.

We have already lost about 20k organizing it all (plus expenses for them). Mine should be recovered, theirs not (mine being about 18k, everything but their plane tickets). Though, I will say having a family and paying your own rent is an easy 10k, leaving a bit of funny money but not much (you could save it, but I did not).

edit, for the job change: I will mention this is all with my wife's mother 100% support and supplying supplementary money. Not a path I would recommend, but I know my Chinese family is going for me. They have been for years. Everyone was scared at first I needed all these documents, they saw it as stupid. When it was clearly needed, everyone was willing to do something. Any possible document request is answered, hukou with child, changing to a spousal visa, registering at any police department, I can go on. Not a joyous affair, but they will help!

Long post sorry