Job Discussion Forums

[getbehindthemule]

Hello all,
I just felt like making a positive post as I'm about to enter my 5th year living in China. I have worked at a Public Primary School for the majority of my time here.
A lot of horror stories exist all over the web but I must say that my experience teaching in China (Shanghai) has been very positive:

1. I've been treated with a great deal of respect by management, staff, work colleagues, etc. in both schools that I've worked in. Fairly well behaved, incredibly friendly and enthusiastic students for the most part.

2. I have always been paid in full and on time, inc housing and airfare.

3. Fully paid hols, 3.5 months.

4. When I was very sick for two weeks, I was still paid a full month's salary and got medical costs refunded.

I just hope that this continues and I'll happily stick at it for another year or two at least! Have I just been incredibly lucky?
I'm sure many of you must have positive stores about your working life here?

[rioux]

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[getbehindthemule]

[7969]

[getbehindthemule]

[cormac]

[getbehindthemule]

[cormac]

There's nothing wrong with language mills, per se. It depends on your agreements with them, and that you go in with your eyes wide open.

My first school was with Kids Castle, and they had my visa. Kindergarten school. The abused the contract and eventually I made a deal with them in order to be released (after 8 months). I could have avoided that if I'd done better research, but we're all very green coming over the first time.

Since then, I've always had my visa with a university, and if I worked outside, I wouldn't trust the external school. There's no point signing a contract, never give your photo (or take publicity photos), and generally get paid on the date specified without any deviation. Anything dodgy arises and I walk, even if I'm leaving money behind.

The important part of China is to be independent. Public Universities, for the most part, hire and forget you. You've got the visa covered, and the university won't bother you much as long as the students are happy with you. Which is really easy to do.

In my time in China, I've worked for 17 language mills . Most didn't have the license to hire foreigners, and only two tried to screw me. One tried to blackmail me, but since there was no paper trail, he couldn't prove that I'd worked for him, or received monies.

I've also worked for 5 universities or colleges, and had no real problems with them, beyond the housing. Minor issues really. So, I only work for universities now.

As for resentment, I think it's important to acknowledge that China isn't that different from the West. You'll meet plenty of dodgy employers in the west, it's just that having a contract means so much more. The FLIP side though is quite often FTs are doing illegal work... That's worth remembering. That would put you outside of most protections in the West too.

I have my own resentments/anger towards Chinese people from being here so long. It's natural. I just don't let the resentment show, and get on with my life. Overall, China is a fantastic place to live as a Foreigner.

[getbehindthemule]

@cormac
I have no experience with the language mills personally but you've been through a few haha!
You hit the nail on the head with your last sentence btw. We're only human and it can be a very different place and rub us up the wrong way at times. But the positives far outweigh the negatives in my experience thus far. Cheers on this holiday eve!

[nimadecaomei]

Getting close to my 10 year anniversary with China. I majored in Chinese at uni so came with a reason of learning. I have learned a lot, but not in that particular direction. I get on fine with people, not understanding this resentment/anger towards Chinese vibe. Occasionally, someone will be a jerk, but out of the billion and a half that is very small in numbers. I agree it can ruin a day/week/month, but that is not anything I see coming from Chinese people in general.

I got baited on my first job. Met the "boss" personally in the US, but she had no clue how things worked where her sisters ran the company. Met my wife in that time (also 10 year anniversary coming) and she had a little bit on the game they were playing (she was not connected to the company, just general knowledge of how such companies work). That job ended swiftly, I said I cannot work for you, then I finally, after a few months of no work, found a stable job.

My previous job got me 9 years experience plus helping with development. The work environment changed and I was not so happy with how things were going. I was let go, and I think that was not the worst thing in the world. It caused me to scramble, as I have a wife and child, but never in need. I have good backing here now after all the years. Fami