Job Discussion Forums

nativespeaker1 · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

Shanghai Dian Ji University--which until very recently was Shanghai College of Electricity and Machinery Technology--is beginning to advertise three openings for English teachers in the spring term. On first glance, the offering is extremely attractive: RMB 8,000/month (almost unheard of for a university in Shanghai), a one-month bonus at the end of a one-year contract, a free apartment, etc., etc.

But stop and think. When the immutable Law of Supply and Demand keeps Shanghai university salaries hovering in the 3,500 to 4,500 range, with no bonus, why this bonanza? Why are the openings occurring in the middle of the school year? Could it be unruly, unmotivated "vocational" students? Could it be frequent reports of management turmoil?

No judgments are being made here. Rather, an application of common sense is suggested from those who might be lured by this offer. After all, it's 10 months out of one's life.

echo2004sierra · Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Posts: 90 Location: prc

Perhaps no judgements, but certainly leading questions!

Do you still beat your dog?

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Or better yet:

You don't want others to apply for this job so that you have a better shot.

Gray000 · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 183 Location: A better place

Or, he ran like hell from the school last year.

nativespeaker1 · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

Whatever you want to believe, gentlemen. At your convenience, please let me have your views on Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

About our fat friend in the red suit, I can only quote you a line or two from the Marx brothers' movie, "Night at the Opera." Groucho is a lawyer and he's explaining a contract to Chicko. He get's to the last paragraph and Chicko asks:

"What's this?"

Groucho says, "That's a sanity clause."

The response? "There ain't no Santy Claus!"

limits601 · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 11:00 pm Post subject:

NateM · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 358

Someone posted a short review on this school a while ago on my site:
http://p082.ezboard.com/fteachingenglishinchinafrm17.showMessage?topicID=7.topic

The guy who wrote it was a regular on my site for quite some time, as well as a mod for another high quality site, so I trust what he's saying. At least, that is, more than someone who just made a bunch of presumptions from reading a job ad.

nativespeaker1 · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

You seem to be making a few presumptions yourself, my friend. How long have you been in China? Not more than 8 months if that, right? How many schools have you worked in? One to date, correct? How much time have you spent in Shanghai? Perhaps a couple of days at best? Tianjin is a long way away. While the ad does speak for itself, how do you know that that is the only basis of my information?

Presumption is a dangerous thing for a soi-disant editor.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

nativespeaker1 · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

Thanks, Steve. Spot on. I don't want the job: my entirely personal opinion is that it might be the hardest RMB 8,000 I ever earned. But far be it for me to discourage the intrepid.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

nativespeaker1 · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

Did I say it was a bad school? Did I say it was a bad school? Please read again, perhaps a little more carefully this time. What I said was: exercise caution. Cheez.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

nativespeaker1 · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

If you have found university jobs paying 6K - 12K, please let us all know immediately.

I'm afraid I didn't understand your explication du texte, so it would be inappropriate for me to characterize it as bizarre.

I think you should apply for one of the jobs at Dian Ji.