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saren
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 70
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 Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 9:27 pm Post subject: From Saudi Arabia to China |
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Hello, I have been teaching ESL since 2005. I have a TEFL and a background in Journalism. I speak 7 languages including basic Chinese. I started out in China (In Xiamen) and also worked in Beijing, Shanghai.
Then, I went to teach in Thailand, Malaysia, Spain and finally Saudi Arabia (where I am now).
I would like to return to China. I know the salaries are lower than Saudi (here I make over 4000USD/month tax-free and have free rent on top of that). My first question is Shanghai the only place in China that offers salaries above 25,000RMB/month?
I don't mind if a high salary package doesn't include benefits or housing (I don't mind taking care of my own housing), instead I am more concerned about the number of teaching hours per week, for example 12-16, or 18 (avg). So, please let me know if Shanghai is the place I should be focusing on?
In truth, I would much rather live in a lesser built up area with fewer people, perhaps Hainan or even somewhere in the Chinese desert (i.e. gansu, inner mongolia, ningxia, qinghai) but I know the salaries there are not likely to surpass 20,000RMB/month. So this post is just to reconfirm what I may already be leaning toward, which is Shanghai. |
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Dream_Seller2
Joined: 30 Dec 2017
Posts: 5
Location: the upside down
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 4:18 am Post subject: |
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You really get what you pay for. You want Shanghai, well you are paying for it. It really depends on your goals and desires. But yes you can make over 20k quite easily in a city that is not a Tier 1 or 2. You can do it  I am living proof and I am doing so legally. |
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cormac
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 768
Location: Xi'an (XTU)
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 8:41 am Post subject: Re: From Saudi Arabia to China |
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| saren wrote: |
| I don't mind if a high salary package doesn't include benefits or housing (I don't mind taking care of my own housing), instead I am more concerned about the number of teaching hours per week, for example 12-16, or 18 (avg). So, please let me know if Shanghai is the place I should be focusing on?. |
With those kinds of hours, you're seeking university work. I know a variety of people on high salaries at university levels with those kinds of hours, but they have the experience, qualifications and more importantly the publications.
Sure, you can work with a language mill for those hours, but you're highly unlikely to get the income you seem to expect.
It is doable to make loads from working in the uni for low hours, and then making a bundle on privates, but you would still be putting in far more hours than what you listed above.
edit: Just realised I should point out I don't know the shanghai market except what others have told me. perhaps its better than I think. |
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jimpellow
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 913
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 11:18 am Post subject: |
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I have done both too.
To build on what Cormac suggested, you may also want to consider a university job with minimal requirements in a city brimming with South Koreans like Dalian, Weihai, Lianyungang etc. With a modicum of effort, you could obtain as much side work as you could ever possibly desire. The normally thrifty Koreans will pay well for a qualified native speaking teacher for themselves and their children and usually shower you with food too.
Another option is if you can teach subjects for college prep like Economics. IELTs prep etc. The hard sciences pay especially well.
You could also go to the boonies and supplement with online income. Since you have Saudi experience, if you get to the point that you are serious, pm me and I can probably get you in to my Saudi online school.
But no, pay is nowhere as close per hour compared to actually being in the Magic Kingdom. |
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saren
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 70
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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What is the pay per hour? About 10 years ago in Shanghai i managed to find a language mill willing to pay me 200RMB/hour. I would imagine that should be about 250RMB/hour now which is another question I have.
Should I get hired online and have them fly me in and pick me up at the airport and take me to an apartment or do all that stuff on my own and just ask for an hourly rate? |
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jimpellow
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 913
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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| saren wrote: |
Should I get hired online and have them fly me in and pick me up at the airport and take me to an apartment or do all that stuff on my own and just ask for an hourly rate? |
I am starting to think that you have not read up on all the changes over the last few years.
I can't think of one employer who will fly you in. A rare one like Wall Street will reimbures you some time after arrival. You will normally get a return flight fully paid at the end of the contract year(if all goes well). Pick-up is still the norm(unless they don't show up). You will do the hiring process online and over the phone.
They you will go through a visa process which is convoluted, ever changing and requires more effort and expense than the iqama. You may not get approved as you have worked in a Muslim country and a minority of government officials fear that you will band with your Muslim brothers in Xinjiang and spread Islamic revolution.
Some schools of course provide an apartment - or in a fair amount of occasions - what they consider a suitable apartment for a foreign devil. More and more often you are usually put up in a hotel for a week and given a list of agents. Be prepared to pay several months up front to cover the contractual obligations of an apartment in China. They may ask you if you need a cash advance for this. Sounds very nice, but it is actually a test to see if you are living paycheck to paycheck and hence can be converted into their slave.
I won't comment on wages, as they vary a lot and I myself am no longer in China. I will add that you will now need to pay income tax as well as 11.5% for your benefits. Most of these benefits you are not eligible to use, although you can get most of it refunded when you leave. |
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cormac
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 768
Location: Xi'an (XTU)
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| Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 8:08 am Post subject: |
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| saren wrote: |
| What is the pay per hour? About 10 years ago in Shanghai i managed to find a language mill willing to pay me 200RMB/hour. I would imagine that should be about 250RMB/hour now which is another question I have. |
Be very careful about thinking that China hasn't changed much since you were here last. China has seen a lot of foreigners come and go within the last 10 years, and Shanghai more than most. The vast majority would be from India/Pakhistan/Africa. We like to think there's a lot of native english speakers, but there's not in comparison with other nationalities, and most of them get into the language mills.
China has become a very popular destination for teaching since Japan isn't what it was, nor are the other more traditional esl joints.
You really need to read the threads here going back for two years, and even then, things will have changed (new visa rules, friction with other countries, etc)... but, at least, you'll have a better idea of what it's like.
| Quote: |
| Should I get hired online and have them fly me in and pick me up at the airport and take me to an apartment or do all that stuff on my own and just ask for an hourly rate? |
I think you need to tell us what kind of work you've decided to do. Language mill (high work hours, high salary)
Public school (medium work hours, decent-high salary)
University (relatively low salary, best extras)
International school (high salary, high requirements)
Do you want to teach kids, teens or adults? That's the deciding factor really. Personally, I can't stand teaching kids/kinder so that cuts out a lot of the higher paid positions for me. I've been doing universities, corporate training, coaching, etc. But then teaching hasn't been my primary income for years. |
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saren
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 70
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| Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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It is true I only know China of 2005
Back then they flew me in and paid me the flight reimbursement within the first month, but only for the part coming into China. Although, this flight offer is not really important to me. I'd rather have a high hourly or daily rare or monthly salary (25k) then focus on perks or benefits.
So I can answer your question I would rather work in the private sector and for a language center, training center, corporate training or a private university or college teaching adults or anyone over 18. This is also the direct experience I have instead of teaching kids at public or international schools.
So I think I should take care of stuff on my own, my own flight, my own visa process instead of expecting the employer to offer me some package with benefits. I am just expecting a high salary. I don't mind if the hours are a little high. I also don't mind overtime.
I also forgot to mention I am from Canada, and not Saudi Arabia. |
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