Job Discussion Forums

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

Because most schools do not have cooperate credit cards or checks..it is difficult for the better schools to advertise on sites such as this (many of the good schools quit when Dave started charging)...want good jobs..learn how to "cold call"

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

The "good" little money is certainly an enticement.

Mental health reasons, however, prevent me from signing a 35 year contract with a university in China. As a previous poster mentioned, the limitations which accompany most FT positions start to feel too snug after a couple of years.

And the students (not all, but many). Today I had a little private chat with four motivated ones. They explained how "our classmates' bodies are 22 years of age, but their brains are still little boys". The clients themselves can make teaching a trial. This can be said anywhere, mind you, but rarely (or so I will assume) at the university level.

A good short time gig; but as a career, TESL in China seems intellectually stifling.

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

I concur 100% with shan shan's post. It is a good short term thing, but not a long term career. I even concur that the standard of living we can afford is good too. In one of the better jobs you can live comfortably and save enough to both put money away and go on holiday in the summer etc. But it's the lack of long term career structure that makes me want to go back and, as ESLstudies mentioned on the previous page, get better qualified.

mondrian · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:46 pm Post subject:

sheeba · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 1123

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

Yes, this was the other bonus: being able to take on post graduate studies in the many free hours I had.
Then when I came back home to the 40 plus hour a week job, at least I was able to work in the area I'd specialised in, and am certainly happier doing that than teaching Shakespeare to classes of 30 largely disinterested 15 year old native speakers.
China's a nice diversion, and a break from the salary slavery we Westerners engage in. As others point out, its not really a career though. Its also something you can do in lieu of retirement........until six flights of stairs gets too much for you.

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

The job experience is excellent for those intending to pursue higher qualifications. And if doing dubious distance education is your prefered route, then a Chinese university position makes for a good lab as well.

TESOUL · Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 19

Well said Anda

I have tried to explain the living costs of Australia to Chinese people and they just don't believe me.

A good job or bad job in China is still going to earn me a much more comfortable standard of living than Australia.

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

TESOUL · Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 19

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

I agree that 2800 per month is crap. But I get about 10,500 per month which allows me to save around 7000 RMB per month, while supporting a wife and kid, which would be almost impossible for me to save in London (whilst renting a flat as nice as the one I have here) without working about 100 hours a week and basically being a walking zombie. And I live in a decent place, with parks and stuff.

So in the better than average positions here, you can live a lot more comfortably than being on an average salary in say the UK.

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

Agreed. Similar figures to Jammish. Here in OZ on 75K AUD, or around $4,500 a month after tax etc [30,000 rmb roughly] I save $1000 a month, exactly the same as I did in China.
The difference? Here I work at least double the hours! However, there is a decent pension plan in place, with 9% employer contribution, and 12 weeks paid holiday with 17% loading.

Johnny Smoggins · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1335 Location: China

The ONLY reason I've ressurected this thread is the curiosity aroused by a post from CJ, indicating that most schools don't have a corporate credit card; thus, are denied access to easy online advertising.

Question: Are there any inherent advantages (apart from advertising) to having a corporate (or, in the case of AmEx, a business) card in China? Some specific advantage that might be overlooked by someone who does have such a card?

Specific examples, if you have them.

Johnny

KES · Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 722

Most biz in China is done is untracable cash, for reasons to obvious to elaborate.

Johnny, China has only a nascent credit system. Without reliable credit reporting, no credit lines can be extended.

Since cash is king, it's hard to build a credit rep.

Still and all, they can pay for Dave's ads with Western Union if they want.