Job Discussion Forums

[Johnathan]

A buddy of mine has been giving out pay scale information about ESL instructors in Canada who on average are getting paid up to 55,000 to 60,000 if of the experienced and qualified level. (I passed in on to a recruiter Asian-Pacific Connections which reacted "angrily" but it was only information and they are suppose to look at wage levels of the employer with objective view of what is best for both parties)The Canadian university to which she belongs is paying about 15,000 per year in China. Even after taxes and housing seems like there is a major gap.

Are Canadian universities (at least some) exporting their ESL jobs abroad to get around union wages but overly taking advantage of this set up.While instead they could get more students from abroad to come to Canada and contribute to the Canadian economy if they properly expanded their programmes in Canada. Afterall ,most of the kids in these programmes at Canadian programmes in China are from well off families and are anxious to come to Canada,

And Canadia authorities would not have to pay the upper salary union levels for the more mddle stream qualfied. I hear of a scheme by Canadian universities to sell off franchises ($30,000 a pop) with very limited quality control. These would be given to China based colleges/business people who would significantly decide the curriculum Irrespective of the quality standard differences between China and Canada, all course credits would be transferable to Canada.

While the idea has merit, if quality controls are not put in place then arriving graduating students to Canada may find difficulty and other Canadian based students may be wondering why such lower level students were let in. This scheme will of course be a great way to get around what some might consider rigid union rules and export jobs to Third World countries where things can be more flexible. It will also raise a lot of cash for cash strapped colleges under the strict funding regime of "Hawaii 50 Gorden Campbell"-Premier of British Columbia.

Any thoughts about these possible developments.?I am not sure where I come down as there are many pluses and negatives to such initiatives as Canadian colleges are more and more needing to look abroad for the cash that governments have substracted from the system. They can charge Chinese students (of these wealthy families) a lot more tuition. But that will be a moot point, I guess as franchise operators will be left to decide how much to charge with the provision if they (student's) don't pay enough to get into the programme, then no visa will be forthcoming as the Canadian college will not cooperate in getting one. All very interesting with some interesting ethical questions to ponder.

[Johnathan]

While these partnership programmes look like big money winners, there can be problems. Sometimes the tuition is not paid and classes are small. And many people on both sides may be relying on the money. So at the end of the day, there is very little extra.

China is a general miss for the very well qualified with some exceptions. In several years, it might look much better. You have to remember the creme de la creme of the public sector gets 200 dollars per month. So it gets hard fr authorities to permit foreigners much more. Sad but reality How do EFLinstructors in China save for the future. Don't know but guess its great to be young in China and not a thought for what lies ahead. China needs to focus on hiring college grads with a good attiitude and some basic EFL ability They will have to wait several years before they can get a large continous pool of real pros. That is changing though.