Job Discussion Forums

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

Recently it has come to my attention (of course) that offers for my teaching have gone from the ridiculous 100 RMB per hour range to the 170 RMB per hour range.

Could it be that teachers are finally holding out until they are offered a better rate?

GREAT JOB!!!

Remember: If everyone decides to demand a higher rate (200 RMB per hour) then they will have to pay... or they can just watch English DVDs for their lessons.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I just don't think everyone in the Chinese teaching profession (ESL) is going to demand that 200rmb, no matter how many times it is advised here at Dave's.

I think a good resume, a professional attitude, and a sunny disposition (I own two of the three - - can you guess which one needs work?), are going to help you in the long run . . . USUALLY. This is especially true if you tend to stick with the same job for more than a semester or even a school year. If you prove yourself that first year, then odds are you'll see a pay increase the following contract. Although I won't have a contract to sign until May, I asked my current school for an extra 1000 per month next time and they agreed! Some parents have told me they really want me to be around next year to teach their kids, and I'm sure they've told my principal the same thing.

I've been known in the past to resort to DVD showing, but it ws never due to my pay level, rather to the unruliness of certain students thus making it near impossible to really "teach" them anything at all!

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

amandabarrick · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 391

I'm afraid if I ask for 200 RMB per hour they will tell me to hit the road, no matter how professional my attitude or sunny my disposition, or how much the students/students parents like me. The school will just lie and tell them that I quit or whatever. I am sure they could find another teacher who will do it for 100 RMB.

Remember, it only works if everyone demands a higher rate.

--AB

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

I agree, to ask for 200 an hour is just a little too much. I have been laughed at many a time for asking anything more than 100, especially in the bigger cities. problem is, the schools are not stupid, they will look on the internet and find out the going rate, so unless there is something standing out in your resume, there is always another backpacker to take your place.

Like Kev said though, if you stick it out with the same school, you will get your way with them.

When I first arrived here I was on probably less than 60 an hour, 2 years later I have managed to triple that, and the new year is not so far off. I don't mean to boast, I just think it's a little unrealistic for a newbie to start demanding so much. And the biggest problem in China, there are a lot of newbies. I have yet to meet a teacher willing to teach as a proffesion, they use China as a working holiday.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

That's what I was trying to say, and failed miserably! Most schools in that first year are going to hire you for as little as possible. I would hazard to say that schools in bigger cities may get several applicants for a given position. They may be able to pick and choose basedon resumes or interviews, but I'm guessing it's a crapshoot for most. Just like many of us have been burned by schools, so to have schools been burned by so-called midnight runners, non-professional behaviors, etc.

However, I feel for SOME schools (certainly not all), if you prove your worth to them and decide to stick around for a more lengthy ride than that first year, you should probably be able to request a pay increase and may actually get one. Some schools have administrations that don't know a good teacher when they see one and the money (how little can I pay so I can get a bigger profit) is all that matters.

saint57 · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:44 pm Post subject:

200 Yuan across the board is not in every teacher's best interest. I'm not arguing that you can't get it. I know a person who always demands 200+. However, she is far from the most successful tutor I've known. When you demand a high wage you better deliver something special regardless of your qualifications or you'll quickly find your relationship terminated. The most successful tutors I have known set a fair price and delivered a service which far exceed the price paid. They developed long-term relationships and maintained a full schedule. A 200 yuan across the board fee wil result in a lot of unemployed teachers. Itsme, I'd like to know how you personally differentiate yourself from, lets say, a western student attending university in Tianjin who is happy to charge 60 an hour.

saint57 · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:56 am Post subject:

4000 is a bit low. I was the lowest paid person I knew in China at 5,500. Some months I made 7,000 but I wasn't there for the money. However, at 5,500 I had to dip into my saving to have the experience I wanted. If you're out in the sticks I'm guessing 4,000 will get you by. Let's face it though, you don't want to come to China to just get by. Some people come to save money, some people come for the experience but 4,000 will make everything difficult.

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

4000rmb is base pay for a newbie with the ink still wet on thier BA. Guandong is not the cheapest place to live. There would have to be a great apt. and other perks to make that salary something worth considering.

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

Saint57 writes:

lollercauster · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 418 Location: Inside-Out NYC

saint57 · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:50 am Post subject:

If that's the only reason you can give then I'll take he/she anyday. Why would an employer/student think any differently?

saint57 · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:00 am Post subject:

lollercauster, one thing to consider is that you may have to work more than twice as many classes to get that 8,000.

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

Saint57 clearly illustrates the point that I should just have ready on my copy and paste button because I have to restate it every day.

If everyone demands 300 RMB per hour that becomes the base price. Then some may make more and some may make ONLY 300 RMB. Now, if someone decides to be nice or is ignorant of the fact that salaries are higher then employers can choose to pay 200 or 60 RMB per hour.

What separates my teaching from someone else's? Like I said before, teaching is a subjective thing unless objective tests are given.

I could boast and say I am a better teacher but I would have to prove it somehow. An English test is the best way to "test" but that is only AFTER the teachers have taught classes. So how to tell which teacher is better BEFORE hiring?
You tell me. A resume definitely is not a good indicator. References help but are not always reliable right?

Perhaps a video of you teaching. now there's an idea.

saint57 · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:08 am Post subject: