Job Discussion Forums

BiancaT · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 74 Location: Toronto

Yeah, utilities I can handle. It was the concept of having to look for an apartment of get stuck with hidden fees when I get there.

What do you guys think is the average salary for a esl job with full accomodations? I've seen about 5000RMB, would 6000RMB be too much to ask for?

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

Becareful if the school 'arranges' housing for you (contrast with 'provides'). You will have to pay the deposit for your flat, which will be deducted from your salary and held by the school. Read: the school may use this money to blackmail, or steal it from you. This will complicates things if you need to get up and leave.

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

You also need to be careful insofar as finding out how much they privide for an allowance. Many schools go on the cheap, providing no more then 800 for rent, which can be good, or bad if you live in a very big city. I have not heard that schools often won't provide a deposity, often they will already have an apartment ready for you. I would stay away from actually living on campus, if such housing is provided if I were you. Curfews, nosy gate guards, it's just not nearly as much privacy as you may want, or need.

BiancaT · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 74 Location: Toronto

Thanks everyone. Another question I had was about my degree. My exams end in April but the graduation ceremony isn't until the end of May. Do I schools need to see my degree before I can get a job?

Thanks

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

most places will want to see a copy of your degree...although some of the international schools will ask for transcripts and a certifications check of a licence in a home country.....ESL jobs for the most part..is certifiable with a "sheepskin"...

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Well I'll give you a tip if you are just starting out and want to land fairly safe here in China then consider a public school job in either Shanghai or Nanjing. Downside is that your classes are big 45-55 students.

Both places offer jobs in smaller cities. Both of these places advertise here on Dave's ESL. Both places have Westeners in charge.

http://www.expatriates.com/cls/1203046.html Shanghia

[email protected] Nanjing

phone 8625 / 183335973 Nanjing

BiancaT · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 74 Location: Toronto

Also, there seem to be many people who say that I can find a new job one I get to China. Now if I signed a contract would this mean that I would have to wait until my one year is over until I do so or is there an alternate way to safely break the contract and find a better job. Also if I do this I would have to move depending on if the housing is provided by the school I previously signed with, right? If this is true then is this a common occurrence so I'll most likely get a better job?
Thanks

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I understand people wanting to hedge their bets when coming to China. There are horror stories aplenty about lousy contracts, lousy schools, etc. I say first off that you have plenty of time to do research and ask, ask, ask questions before settling upon an offer. Also, look for schools that offer 1/2 year contracts. If you like the school and the school likes you, then it's not too difficult to extend the contract into the second half of the school year. If you don't like the school, then 5 or 6 months is not too long to endure.

But I hate the question of (essentially), "can I break my contract if/when I find a better job?" (usually meaning more money) Again, if a school promises you this and that and they don't uphold their contract, then by all mean leave if issues can't be resolved. But if the school is pretty much as they said it would be, then I say work 'til the end and learn from what you didn't like. I will repeat: ASK A TON of questions before accepting any jobs. Make sure you are satisfied with answers they give you.

NathanRahl · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509

You think 45 to 55 is big? My average class size is 70. Give me 45 to 55 any day Wink

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

You poor sod, I bet you would like 45 to 55 then. How about the one on one situation at some upscale institutes then?

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

I certainly agree with Kev on this. If you sign a contract for a period of time (and assuming that the employer gives you what they promised) then you should consider that a comittment from your end too. If your concern is getting a high income then don't sign up for a job that doesn't give you this in the first place.

When your contract is due for completion feel free to shop around and find other better deals elsewhere.

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

Good hints for signing contracts above Wink

BiancaT · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 74 Location: Toronto

Okay, so I've been doing some research lately and I see that some job postings are asking to see a copy of my passport? I haven't seen this before and I was wondering if this was normal practice or if this would be the sign of a scam?