Job Discussion Forums

[go_ABs]

The time has come for my girlfriend and I to decide whether or not we will return to our current school for the second year.

In an attempt to keep us here, our boss offered us an increased salary. The offer (I think) is pretty good - a 45% increase, plus all the standard stuff I've had this year.

All you teachers who have returned for a second (or more) year to the same school: what kind of increase did you get?

I'm just nosy.

Cheers,

[davis]

I was given a 10% increase to an already generous salary and they've tacked on another 700 RMB per month above that to attend meetings and do an occasional 15 minute demo class. 45% sounds decent if your salary was at least 4500 per month before.

[kev7161]

I was given a 25% increase over last year. I tried to renegotiate overtime pay, but they wouldn't hear of it. Last year I worked 12-14 periods per week (out of a possible 18 listed in my contract), so OT wasn't really a consideration for me this year, but I was just being cautious.

One of the Chinese English teachers told me last year that the Senior department was probably going to expand the following year (this year). We had 8 different classes at the time. This year we have 11. I recommended the school find a second FT for this department (maybe split him/her between the Senior and Junior department) and they (my department director and the FAO) thought then that it was a good idea. Sure enough, I'm the only FT in the Senior department this year and they were miffed when I wouldn't work the overtime beyond my contracted 18 periods per week.

But, it's nice to work the full 18 as it keeps me busy. When I'm bored, I tend to eat too much or spend too much money . . . or both.

[Guest]

I came back here for the second year and I did hope that I may get some sort of increase in salary but I did not actually go after it as I am not leaving even if they decrease my salary (due to the Orphans of course).

I originally signed a 10 month contract at 2,500 rmb per month but after only one month, it was increased to 3,500 per month (despite the contract) and I have been on that ever since. So, I suppose that morally I should not expect another increase now.

It will be interesting to see what they pay me when I sign for the third year. I am not leaving School and going anywhere in July/August next year so I am not leaving and coming back - merely staying on.

[burnsie]

Though I have not signed a second year contract my school offer an extra 500RMB on base salary. The base is 4,000RMB/month (with extra pay for certain classes). If you do the certain business classes, 20 hours will bring in 8,000RMB/month. So the extra pay is only around 12% on the base. Not a great incentive.

The 45% sounds good.

[Roger]

My FAO talked with the principal about a salary raise for me; she was adamant.
My FAO was unable to keep several of his promises. One was for replacement kitchen ware because the summer holiday teacher who served our establishment as a corvee labourer decided to trash my apartment; the replacements have not to date been brought to myu place.
I complained about this, as well as about other, rather obvious +shortcomings at our grewat university - very poor organisation, no materials.
When the principal heard of my complaints she actually suggested that the university ought to reward me for my troubles with a salary increase. THis I have been granted now.

On the other hand, saloary increases imply that you are making top money that they want to undercut. They will certainly not keep me too long. Some newbies can be hired for one third less salary. In summer, they even pile up for free teaching in exchange for a bed and greasy canteen food.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

I believe the average increase is 10% with certain increased benefits such as bonus & vacation & possibly more say in which classes you are prepared to teach. As we know sh*t rolls downhill, generally toward the new teachers

I think my boss needs more money for KTV & Hookers so I am expecting a salary decrease of 45% next year!


T_P

[tarzaninchina]

I think we oughta have a thread about classic lines by Chinese managers and FAO Directors used in negotiations!

I didn't know average public schools would give a 45% pay increase. I knew 20% was fairly easy to get. Will remember that given that I'll be coming up to the end of my second year in China.

In my opinion, if you want money, fine. I would happily accept a little less cash for a number of apartment amenities. Things like unbroken fixtures, own computer w/all the fixings, mounted a/c/heater unit, better furniture, bigger TV (w/cable, but I wouldn't watch it anyway), microwave, fully-auto washing machine, humidifier, etc. I have most of these now and I have refused to do without a few of these in the past.

[ContemporaryDog]

[go_ABs]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Question:

Why is everyone making like 3,500 to 4,500 a month?

That is .... sooo low.

[lily]

newbies! or, lots of other perks like paid accom, utilities, airfare, etc.

[wowzers]

"lots of other perks like paid accom, utilities, airfare, etc."
Really?
Add up all those perks and divide by the length of the contract.
Still sounds low to me!

[ContemporaryDog]

Where does one find these jobs paying 10,000-20,000 a month? They aren't widely advertised. It appears to be a matter of connections.

A friend here in Wuhan has a B.Ed (i.e. is a qualified teacher) and now has 3 years experience, and is going to sign a new contract here in February, for a mere 5800 a month (that's living off campus).

Is he crazy or what?

[go_ABs]

Ok, then, before CDog gets too excited, the specifics are as follows:
My first year teaching I earnt 5,500 per month at a private school, teaching about 15 contact hours per week. It's a small school in a small city, and very cheap to live (say, 1,000RMB per month, spending wildly). The classes had a max of 20 students, which is just as well because you can't cram any more into the tiny classrooms.

For the second year, I've been offered 8,000 per month, for similar hours (a few more wouldn't actually hurt me). But the headmaster wants to get more bums on seats; to raise the max to 30. To make room for them he's going to break down some walls in the holidays and join two classrooms together.

I get airfare paid (US$1,000 in my first year, US$1,500 next year), rent paid, utilities except gas paid, free internet, furnished accommodation. Next year I'm insisting on off-campus accommodation. One month holiday each year, plus statutory holidays like Chinese New Year's Day week.

Now, if I add all that up and divide by the number of hours worked, it comes out pretty damn well, I think. It's not 10-20,000 a month, and nor is it a particularly exciting city in which to live. But when I see posters saying they are happy on 3,000 a month, I wonder how. I didn't come here for the money, but I'm happy to get more of it!

So now I've been laid bare, all my secrets broadcast to the world; judge me as you will.