Job Discussion Forums

[tinatravel]

Hi there!

For weeks now I've been going crazy trying to figure out if I want to teach in China or not. I've heard all the pros and even more cons. I think this web site is great but I also think there are a lot of angry people here. I've taught in Mexico, South Africa, and Brazil. Not to mention that I started as a public school teacher in America.

I would much rather hear positive answers than negative, but if you really feel I need a warning, then by all means, let me know. Just to let you know, I've had a million warnings for every place in China already.

Where is the best place to teach in China? I'm not intimidated by the crowds or the culture, but really want to be in a comfortable environment and with friendly people. I don't speak Chinese, but I have learned four other languages, so I don't think that will be my problem.

Thanks for your help!

Ttttttina

[tw]

Good question. The problem is that the answer is not as simple as the question is. I can go on writing an essay. Let's just stick to where. If you want comfortable place then I assume you want western conveniences. In that case go to big cities like Beijing, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Dalian, etc etc etc (anywhere with population of a few million). If you have breathing problem like asthma then stay away from heavily polluted places like Beijing, Shijiazhuang and Shenyang. If you can't handle extremely cold winters then avoid northern and northeastern China like Shenyang and Dalian. If you hate humid summers and want to avoid monsoons then stay away from southern China. Every city has its good and its bad. Do your homework and research before deciding on a place. Yunnan province may be a good place to start because the weather is supposely mild (in Chinese standard) where year-round temperatures are supposed to be about the same but apparently the money is not as good. But you can really experience huge diversity in ethnicity and cultures. One thing for sure though: don't get suckered by job ads that glorify the city and/or its history/tourist attractions/night life/etc.

[Volodiya]

Great answer to a very broad question, TW.

Tina, have a look at-

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=24840&highlight=unhappy

Read it all the way to the end, if you want to hear positive. (I'm serious!)

[amandabarrick]

There are lots of great places to teach in China. Everyone has different opinions and what might be the best city for one person might be the worst for another. But for friendly people and a comfortable environment, Nanjing and Suzhou come to mind. If you prefer a bigger metropolis with more western conveniences, Shanghai is my recommendation. But in any city, it would depend on how friendly and comfortable the school is. I also have heard and read loads of negative warnings about cities to stay away from, but I personally think it is your attitude and if you have a positive outlook you would have a good experience in most cities in China. Welcome and good luck!
AB

[tinatravel]

Well, I want to thank everyone for their kind posts. It's been great advice, but I've been on the phone with a school in Tianjin for the past day, and I've told them it sounds like they have a good offer. It's hooked in through the government, so that makes it sound a little better.

I will stay on here and let everyone know how it's going. I haven't signed anything yet, but they're going to send me the contract by email on Monday. If everything looks good, I'm off.

As for metropolis, etc. When I said that I wanted to live comfortable, it didn't mean I couldn't live without my foreign lifestyle. I've taught in pretty remote places before, and loved it. I just want to be in a place where I feel safe and happy.

So, again, thanks to all for their help. And keep my little forum alive! I think I've fallen in love with Dave's. I've met some wonderful people here. If you're all teachers in China, then I have nothing to worry about for meeting good people.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Tina, my only suggestion would be to look over carefully your contract, ask how many days per week you will be working, hours, hours per day, time, etc.

Also if you smell anything fishy let us know so we can give you our 2 cents worth.

[Yu]

This where to live questions comes up time and time again. My two cents worth.... I live in Shanghai. I like it. Love it actually. I have visited Dalian, Yangshou, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou... dont really like Dalian... but it isnt so much the city but the relatives

There is so much to see in China. It doesn't matter too much where you go. I have not been anywhere I truly hated... except the 7th floor no elevator apartment of the in-laws.

[nolefan]

wow, my 1000's post!!!! let's break out the champagne.

as clich� as this sounds, China is what you make of it. I have grown up between Morocco and France, lived in Spain and Mexico and visited more than a dozen countries in the meantime and I can say that I've never lived as well as I do in China right now.
I was making upwards of 5000 USD/month in a major city in the U.S.A so I had I good life back then but this is a different level. If you're open to new experiences, understanding of other cultures and willing to ride the best rollercocaster of your life, then book your ticket for China.

If you're the type of person that enjoys rules and regulations or likes for things to be either black or white, then forget about it. China is a big grey zone of organized chaos.

[Yu]

[tinatravel]

My little forum here makes me so happy. I just got back from shopping for things that I know I will want to take with me. I will definately let you know all of the details of my contract when I get it.

The only thing I know about the contract right now is it's 10,000 per month but I have to find my own living accomodations. But they will help me find that. And for the first two weeks I am there, they will put me up in a hostel or something... not fancy. They said they would make sure I had a place to stay. I do trust them as they are actually paying the whole airfare up front.

I live in the US. I'm used to "grey"

And congratulations on your 1000 post. I think one day I will be there too, as I really like this site.

I was seriously looking at Shanghai before, but I've just heard too many bad things about the teaching companies there. I'm sure you have a good school or company that you work for, but if you look on this board, there's a couple of forums... there's some companies in Shanghai that don't seem too good. One in particular I couldn't believe, was the forum "warning: Esl company in Shanghai"... you should check that out... the company that was being complained about actually went on the site and ragged out one of their ex employees telling them all the reasons they were fired online... very rudely too!

Maybe this is Chinese, but I haven't seen anything bad about Tianjin. And I've already done a whole bunch of looking into the history and geography and environment of the place. I have to say, I'm really excited.

Anyways, who needs Shanghai... I live in one of the biggest cities in the world! Buffalo NY!

Just kidding!

I will let everyone know every detail of every minute of every hour of every day from here on in. I will let you know the contract, but nothing smells fishy, and I've looked them up on the net and no complaints about them. So, I'm happy right now... but I will be careful, and I really appreciate all of your advice.

Thanks so much... it's good to know I have people that will look out for me!



Tttttina

[amandabarrick]

That sounds like a pretty good contract so far, 10,000 is a lot in my part of China. Be sure your contract shows how many hours you teach each week, times, etc... Like Whiner said. If it is more than 25 or even more than 20, be careful not to overwork yourself as preperation time, travel, etc... will make your first teaching experience in China unpleasant.
There are positives as well as negatives when it comes to finding your own living accomodations. Lots of threads here on Dave's on the topic. You have more control over where you are living, the quality of the apartment, etc... Where as sometimes the school providing accomodations were not what you were expecting. On the other hand it is a pain to go apartment hunting in a new country where you don't speak the language and are at a high risk of getting ripped off by your landlord, but if the school will help you find one that's a lot better then if you had to find it yourself.
Good luck!
AB

[wonderd]

Hey Tina

Yes, keep us informed of your contract. That does sound like quite a lot for that part of China. If it was Shanghai or Beijing, I might not be surprised, but Tianjin. If it's legit, then great!

Too bad about your change of heart with BSK. I did see that post, and understand where you would get these feelings, but honestly, I think it was just a culture difference. The company does try hard to please it's employees, and letting go of a teacher after they've paid them for a few months and paid their airfare to come here is not something they would like to do. They do try hard (at least with me and others I know) to please the teachers, but one thing to understand in China and many foreign countries. Some foreigners can be perceived to be complainers. With the culture difference and misunderstandings due to communication breakdown. And, in my experience in China, if you're Chinese working for a Chinese company, you tend not to complain so much. Definately I haven't seen Chinese employees publicly attack their company. So, I think the person that posted that message you were referring to was simply shocked and probably hurt at the comments made and responded personally, because they were unaware of foreign rules of conduct in business.

Also realize, that post was not just defending the company, it was defending the teachers that had posted pro-comments, like me.

Sorry, I don't want to turn your forum into that forum, just thought I'd give my two cents on your comment.

It is sad, many of the comments that were made.

Anyways, like I said, keep us posted on your contract, be careful, and I hope everything works for you.

[tinatravel]

What the hell am I doing awake now? I got my contract and I am looking it over now. When I am looking at it, I am starting to think to examine my options more closely. There's a couple of scarey things in it.

First of all, it doesn't say how many hours I will be working. I sent an email to them saying that this was a problem, but have not heard back yet.

Second, there are a bunch of strange, almost unreadable clauses, but the scariest one says if I break my contract, there is a penalty of 10000RMB, one month salary.

Everything else looks good.

[tinatravel]

God, I am so tired, but I can't sleep. I've travelled to other countries before, and I always hate this part. Choosing where to work because once I'm there, I'm pretty much stuck there.

Also, sorry I didn't respond to the messages before. I didn't really read them, but now I have.

Great Wall - Well, my last message I posted my fishy feelings... advice now would be wonderful!

Yu - Thanks for the advice. I am looking at Shanghai again.

Amanda - Yes, I see that the working hours may be something that they're not wanting to put on the contract. The last thing I want is to be teaching 40 hours a week. I'm concerned about this as well.

Wonderd - I understand what you are saying and I am sorry for critisizing. I don't usually do that. It still seems that people are generally happy with your company. I will see what happens with Tianjin but if it doesn't work out, I will look into your company as well. Are the contracts more black and white?

Anyways all, I'm really tired, my back is killing me today. I don't know why. It's almost four in the morning, and knowing me I'll probably still get up at nine.

Take care my friends, and thank you for your help. I know I will make it to China. I just don't know how yet.

Ttttttina