Job Discussion Forums

saint57 · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 12:51 am Post subject: Back to Salaries

This is for all the people who claim 20,000 yuan a month is possible in China. Why not go to Korea? The absolute minimum starting salary is 15,119.72 yuan per month and the lowest end of the private scale is 250 yuan per hour? People actually approach you on the street to do privates. Why would someone with money on the mind choose China over Korea? Culture? How do you enjoy the culture if you're busting you're ass all the time? Cost of living? Korea and China are both what you make them.

Spiderman Too · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:20 am Post subject:

I think that South Korea, Japan and Taiwan are great locations for young, energetic F.T.s who have not been in the EFL game for very long (and are, therefore, a long way from approaching the burn-out danger zone).

For a mid 40s (approaching) 9 year veteran, the mixture of teaching duties (no kids!) / salary / working conditions / living conditions (no sharing apartments!) needs to be far more balanced.

But, sure, if salary is by far and away an F.T.s primary concern (perhaps due to student loans, car loans, building a nest egg to return home and do an MA), then China is not the place to be, nor are Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia et al.

saint57 · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:28 am Post subject:

Agreed Spiderman Too, but my experience showed me that there are just as many people chasing money in China. Korea paid my tuition and China gave me the experience to get where I wanted. Busting your ass in language schools to earn "big bucks" in China makes no sense to me.

Joe C. · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 2:13 am Post subject:

Could it be that in Korea, Japan and Taiwan higher qualifications are required that some of those who end up in the Mainland cannot meet?

In any event, I don't think the equation is so simple. Many people end up in China because of some fascination with an "ancient" society, the language, future growth possibilities, et al. Heck, I know two people who are here simply because China has no extradition treaty with America (Am I allowed to name names???).

To pull in 20k a month one really doesn't need to work themselves to death here. Also, I am certain that 20k goes much further here in China than it does in Taiwan or Japan. Not sure about Korea though.

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

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jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

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jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

deleted - duplicate post.

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

Hmmm... most jobs in China pay 4000-8000 a month, with some in Beijing and Shanghai (a city which can be more expensive than London!) paying a bit more.

20,000 is not easy to come by as a regular salary. It may be possible for those willing to work all hours in various extra jobs, or for those with the qualifications to work at certain select establishments, e.g. those teaching Academic English which require a Masters Degree, or an International School. But for a regular, 20 hour a week, ESL job, 20,000 is way over the odds.

On the other hand, you can get that in Korea just for a bog standard position.

That said, even 8000 a month isn't bad for saving reasonable amounts, at least compared to my prior experience of living in London, and life being so expensive that it was very difficult to save anything at all.

Joe C. · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 3:52 am Post subject:

bendan · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 739 Location: North China