Job Discussion Forums

[Jenshi]

So I've been invited to teach at the following school - Rockies English School.

They are offering the following:

5,500 (five thousand five hundred) RMB per month for 25 scheduled teaching hours per week, which I'm sure is pretty avg.

Since its located in Dalian, China (northeast China), I'm sure the weather will be extremely cold during the winter months.

Has anyone taught at this school, or any school in the same city. If so, what were your thoughts? Just deciding if it's a great city to teach in...Also, this will be my first time teaching abroad...

- J

[Voldermort]

[latefordinner]

Agreed, look elsewhere. 5500 should get 20 hours, not 25. When I came to DL 4 years ago, 5000 for 20 hours was standard, and everything over was 100/hour. I was averaging 24 hours a week, 6400.
The cost of living hasn't dropped noticeably since then. Problem is, toomany foreigners have come to scenic, modern DL, the market is saturated, and wages are artificially depressed relative to the cost of living. Unfortunately, it's getting to the point where I have to think about whether to stay in this city or not.

[Jenshi]

thanks for your replies latefordinner and voldermort..

so what would be the avg for 25 hours of teaching...i've been searching on this site and most of the postings are for northeast china, which I want to avoid because of the weather...have you guys taught in the surrounding regions, and what were your impressions of north east china...

If I see a posting for somewhere in South East China, what would be the avg salary i'd be expecting?

Thanks

[Voldermort]

I once took up a job which was for 22 hours of teaching. When I first saw the add I thought it would be 22 periods of teaching, but no, it was 22 hours. They added up all those 40 minute periods. This position of yours could either be 25 hours or periods, either way it is going to be very hard work. You should also think about all the extra time you need for traveling, sitting around between periods and planning your classes.

Like I said in my earlier post, forget this and move on. I am beginning to think that you are looking for a position based on the salary alone, I would not advise this. When looking for a position look at the teaching hours. Anything more than 16 hours is going to leave you with very little social life.

As for the north east, I have worked in Changchun and Jilin, both of which I hated very much. My impression was that there were far too many foreigners around which lead the schools to believing they could treat you any way they like. I now work in the south west where the people are much more friendlier.

[Jenshi]

If it comes off like I'm basing my decisions strictly salary, then that's only because Im not too sure what the living costs would be, as well, I don't think this posting offers medical insurance, in which case I would like a higher salary.

However from speaking to the director of the school, they seem to reassure me that everyone is really laid-back at the school, so there won't be that much hard work. Also, given that I don't really have any experience in class-room teaching, and that I don't have to obtain a TEFL cert. for this job, this seems to be one of the few replies I've recieved for employment.

Finally, I'm only available to teach for 6 months anyhow, and there's not that many postings I've seen that offer that, in which case Rockies English School does in Dalian...Most schools offer 1 year contracst min.

So maybe I'm torn right now as to what to do. I would like to get a better position to the south that could potentially pay more, and offer better benefits, but no-one from there is really giving me a reply.

I could have little expectations, and make it enjoyable, or have so many expectations, and let this one slide....what do you reckon?

[kerrilee]

I know teachers from that school and they are all pretty happy with their jobs and seem to be a great bunch. I have never heard any complaints from them about their schedules or management.

[Jenshi]

That's great news to hear kerrilee.
The more and more I think about it, I might just accept this job posting, as I have little expectations. What's an experience if I don't take on challenges?

Since you're in Dalian now( I'm assuming), how's the weather? Does it get really cold. I'm from Canada, so I'm use to the 4-5 month long winters. However, is there anything to do in Dalian, ie. bars, activities, cultural sites? How about standard/cost of living. Say, how much would a pint or loaf of bread could cost?

[Voldermort]

[Jenshi]

alright, then wrong context....
how much is a bag of rice or soy sauce?
How much can I expect to pay for a meal whether in a restuarant or vendor? How much is it for a can of coke for that matter?

Voldermort, I can see that you've been in China for some time, and you probably know more than than others in terms of living expectations, I respect that, and should learn from what you have to offer, but when I ask a question that is straight forward, I would somewhat appreciate a straightforward answer.

I know that I would have to go to a Western style market for all that I asked for, but hey, I know that. But in case I need to get those items, how much do you reckon it costs??? Simple question?!!


I've pretty much accepted the terms in which I'll be signing away to, but would like to conceptualize how it will be living in an eastern part of the world. I'm sure it would be different than North America or Europe. Hey maybe I won't get an answer, and maybe I will. Maybe I should lay off asking all these questions, and just experience it via trial and error.

[Brian Caulfield]

The beer here is good . Qingdao beer has been voted the best beer in the world many times . It is a German formula . And China wines have come a long way

[tony lee]

"It is always sweetened and God only knows what they put in it. You need a western supermarket to find everyday things like butter. "

Not true in most large cities and certainly not true in Dalian.

Sure, you can't get either in the corner store, but Dalian has plenty of large department stores and supermarkets where you can buy western-style bread and New Zealand butter and cheese and milk and normal breakfast cereals such as cornflakes and rolled oats. Imported stuff is relatively expensive - 250 gram cheese - 25 to 30 yuan. Under Labour Park, next to the city center, is an underground wholesale market where you can buy imported rounds of Edam cheese.

Winter in Dalian -- not much snow, but being on a peninsular, it does get quite windy, so can be cold. Compared to most parts of Canada, i imagine the weather in Dalian would seem quite mild. 99% of Chinese will wax lyrical about Dalian's environment, but they are just repeating propaganda. There are plenty of days where the sun is a big dull-red ball in the sky.

Rockies is, or was run by Canadians.

Tony

[mondrian]

For western comforts in Dalian try blogging it, using google.com

For example there is a lot of information in:
http://www.thehumanaught.com/blog/
For example, I found a very nice baked cheesecake (@10RMB a slice) through his pages.
There is western food and drink in dalian, but you have to hunt for it; it is intermittent in availability and it is more expensive

[Midlothian Mapleheart]

Edited to remove offensive content.

Middy

[Jenshi]

yeah, they're not offering to pay for airfare, but they offer a bonus at the end of the contract to offset the cost. It doesn't really matter to me since, I'm going to be in Asia anyhow, so it's already a sunken cost, along with the other costs I would incur.

They've verified with me that teaching will be at the main school, and the accommodation will be a 10 min walk to the school, so it doesn't seem that bad. I've done worst where I've travelled all across the city to teach or tutor, so I'm pretty much use to that if that was the case - hey I can't always have it easy, it's what I'm going to agree to if I desire.

I'm not too worried about western style vs eastern style grub. I'm acquainted with both, and really open to any type of foods and would adapt if I didn't find what I wanted.

I understand what you're saying about having little expecations vs being open. I'm fairly a simple person, and have done without much in the past when I lived abroad before.