Job Discussion Forums

[Bruce the Hobbit]

OK, newbie warning. This is my first post.

My particulars:
I live in Canada and I must vacate my current place of residence by the end of the month. I am in my forties. (Yes, I'm one of those "changing my life" people).

I have a TESL certificate. I have no post secondary degree and no teaching experience beyond my practicum, (and a bit of tutoring to a native English speaking child).

I am currently considering three different contract offers. According to my research, one is in (even for China) an extremely polluted province in the north central area. One is in Beijing, and one is in the northeast. Because of my circumstances, I'm really under the gun about needing to make a decision very soon, (possibly in less than 24 hours in one case).

My questions are more concerned with contract terms, than just salary.
1) Is it unusual for Chinese contracts to have cash penalties? (The two that do range from $400 to $500US).
2) Is it unusual not to have any paid sick leave?
3) Is it a major problem if a contract doesn't specify what hours of the day and days of the week that you should teach?
4) Could anyone give me an opinion about being assigned to teach at up to three differnet schools in a major city and its surrounding area?

Any information on these questions would be much appreciated.

Bruce.

[tw]

[Super Mario]

In order:
1] These are standard in state contracts. Notice they work both ways; theoretically.

2] Not unusual. Getting paid for not working is not a Chinese concept, though some more progressive employers are picking up on it. Good employers won't dock pay if you're a good employee. You may be asked to "make up" classes.

3] Not in itself, as the basic proforma doesn't carry this amount of detail. You negotiate this via email, bring the mails, and have an extra clause added to the contract. State schools generally run Mon-Fri. Some have evening classes though.

4] Being farmed out is one of the major joys of being at the bottom of the EFL food chain. It may be a recruiter, may be your "owner" school, but each time, they're getting a cut, and you're spending considerable unpaid hours on the road.

[Bruce the Hobbit]

Thank you yunqui, tw and Super Mario for all your information. I especially appreciate the examples you provided tw.

Based on what you've said, I'm not going to worry about the penalties, and hope that I don't get sick! As for hours and working multiple locations, I've talked to a native English speaking teacher from one location, and he told me that company is all about providing teachers to public schools, so that should take care of evenings and weekends. Another position, will not compensate me for my travel time to different schools, but will pay my travel expenses.

Based on my particulars, (no experience, no bachelors, TESL Certificate), I'm likely to accept one of these positions, because of that whole "beggars & choosers" thing.

Bruce the Hobbit.

[Henry_Cowell]

Can't you live with friends or family in Canada (or even take a cheap motel room) until you find a really satisfactory job?

Accepting a job in 24 hours on the other side of the world just because you have to vacate your apartment is a bit dicey, even in the world of TEFL.