Job Discussion Forums

TheFlyingCamel · Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Australia

I'm in Shanghai applying for jobs and so far all of my offers have been under 5500RMB/month for 25-30hrs/week(accom incl). The contracts I have been sent are also unclear as to what the maximum hours will be. Does 'contact hours' mean total time expected of the teacher by the school or 'time spent teaching and the rest of your time belongs to the school'....(followed by deep and haunting laugh Twisted Evil

).
I understand that their will always be meetings, functions, projects etc
that will involve extra hours but I dont want to be signing myself into slavery for the next twelve months.

Is a contract offering 5500RMB/Month for 25Hrs/Wk reasonable in Shanghai or should I be looking for someting better?

I'm thinking of accepting interviews and arguing salary and hours once I'm there. Will I be wasting my time???

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated and will save me from any frustration induced self harm Mad

.

FC

Super Mario · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 2:37 am Post subject:

"Contact hours" means classroom time. The employer should specify if they require office hours on top of this, so ask and make sure its in writing on any contract! The language schools frequently do require it [cuts down on you freelancing]. Unis/colleges normally don't.

I'd say 80-100 an hour with housing, utilities and airfare is the base, so for eg a 25 hour job should equate to 8000-10000 a month. Most Uni jobs pay less, but for 12-16 hours. Not being hired from OS may rule out the airfare for you. I'm not sure why people turn up on doorsteps at the wrong time of year,[ actually, I don't think there's a right time of the year for this approach] but good luck to you.
Maybe something to tide you over while you line up a better job for the new year may be the way to go.

Midlothian Mapleheart · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 623 Location: Elsewhere

Edited to remove offensive content.

Middy

Keath · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 9:56 am Post subject:

Anything less than 8,000 in Shanghai is a dirt salary. Chances are you'll have to pay for your residence too - many schools in Shanghai have put the responsibility of getting apartments on the teachers shoulders and offer generally small housing alotments.

Do not accept 5500 for so many hours, you'll be working as a volunteer.

Keith
www.JourneyEast.org
TEACH ENGLISH IN CHINA
(773) 532-9988 Free Pre-Trip Consulting

NateM · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 358

There should be a salary thread sticky here.

jg · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 1:21 am Post subject:

Working in Shanghai you shouldn't settle for less than 150 RMB, or at least 10000 RMB for anything over 20 hours a week. Have some patience in your job search or you might get reamed. Not only do different schools pay varying salaries, schools will pay you less for the same thing your coworker does if they can get away with it. University jobs that offer few class/prep hours might pay such, but they offer housing and long paid vacations usually.

Shanghai has a ton of language mills, are you only looking at certain kinds of schools or teaching some specific thing?

I agree with Nate M, there ought to be a sticky about salaries in the bigger cities. Too many people come to Shanghai/Beijing and get taken because they don't know.

Super Mario · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 2:06 am Post subject:

jg · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 4:27 am Post subject:

Had an interview yesterday with a Shanghai public primary school for 9-10,000 a month, 17 hours a week.

I remember seeing several ads (at the end of the summer) for 8,000 RMB to teach in various primary jr high schools, and as with everything else, you can negotiate.

Super Mario · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:40 am Post subject:

Did this include housing or an allowance, jg?
Jobs I was offered with an allowance gave 3000 a month, which rents quite a nice apartment in most districts, provided a Chinese intermediary does the deal.
I was happy with the convenience and security of being on campus.
Agreed though, I've been out of SH for a year, so things may well have changed. Primary school though, sheesh. The money would need to be good. Wink

jg · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:51 pm Post subject:

No, no housing allowance, but my current apt is conveniently located. Thats not a bad salary though ehh? You should see what some kindergartens are offering, I have seen 12,000 on asiaxpat recently! I don't have the patience or whatever it takes for the tiny tots though.

I would be happy on campus if it weren't for the curfew, I tend to be a midnight snacker (weather permitting) and I absolutely must get out to have my fix.

Lots of Korean cram schools popping up and they pay well, but the hours are "not clever".

ChinaLady · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:08 am Post subject: Money in Shanghai

I was paid 4,000 a month for 10 hours a week. fully furnished and PAID FOR flat. I did have to buy my own bottled water.
taken on trips, to teacher dinners - all paid for by the university.
now, in GZ. paid 6,000. flat is off campus - I pay utilities.
teach 16 hours a week. (really class periods.)
no goodies from the school.
BUT - I am one hour from Hong Kong and Macau.
I can day trip over there.
comes out about the same, money wise.
rest for the brain? ah, GZ is the place.

whawhawho? · Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 10

I seem to be on a similar path as THeFlyingCamel. I will be arriving in Shanghai on 11/2 to commence job hunting. Does anyone know of any good schools that might be hiring? If yes, then how can one contact these schools? I have experience with all ages, but prefer not to work in a business setting.