Job Discussion Forums

[Atlas]

Out in the sticks--this is how we say it in Kentucky. I am offered to teach a business english class, 2 hours at a time, twice a week, in a company that is another hour's cab ride beyond the end of the Shanghai Metro line. I live downtown, so we're talking about a 2 hour commute, but the class is steady work for at least 6 months. The level is intermediate-upper level language-centered training. The company makes a lot of teaching demands too, I get the feeling they will try to push us teachers around a bit. Still, it will be good experience. Now I'm negotiating pay. Any suggestions? How much should I ask per hour? What is a reasonable amount? After all, i could use this mondo commute time to be teaching, not trekking.

Also--what's with the public bathrooms here?? What am I supposed to use, wishful thinking?

[Wolf]

You live in downtown Shanghai?

You could probably get work with less of a commute than 2 hours each way. And it would pay about the same, I'd daresay.

But if you have your heart set on it, it's your four hour commute per day. Bring a book.

They'll stop at nothing to sign you, though. I'm out in "the sticks" (expression also exists in Eastern Canada) and I'm the only foreigner that many school masters know. So it's bother me or nothing. The thing is, I'm not interested in teaching all the time (when I divide what I could save by 5/6/8 it just doesn't seem worth the effort.)

Toilets? Wishful thinking indeed. Time #2 for when you're at home, if you catch my drift - and if you have a Western style toilet. BTW there's no reason not to - I see them for sale everywhere. Just not used. #1 isn't so bad. Western restaurants have western style toilets (but the ones in my area of the sticks operate at about 600% capacity.)

[kathleen]

I teach Business English regularly in Nanjing and never accept less than 150 RMB, plus carfare and dinner. Shanghai is more expensive, so 200 seems reasonable. I've heard of folks who get 250. It may depend on your age, credentials and experience.

Good luck.

[kimo]

let's say you teach three hours for 250 an hour and spend four more commuting. You earn 750 total which equals about RMB 107 for each hour. At 200/hour you average a lot less. I think you can do better for your time closer to your home. Dig a little harder for other schools and appropriate rates to ask for.