Job Discussion Forums

[no_exit]

BiancaT

Asking to see a copy of your passport is fairly normal -- for one, they want to verify your nationality and some people lie or stretch the truth, and for another, if they're going to arrange for your visa before you get to China they'll need a copy of your passport in order to issue the invitation letter eventually. In any case, it isn't really a sign of a scam and lots of teachers automatically include a scan of their passport along with their CV when applying for a job.

[BiancaT]

It is freezing over here. I hate cold and I've noticed that there are varying temperature locations in China. I love heat and I think I was born in the wrong country. Would Shanghai be considered a warm year-round location or would I need to go even more south? If so could you recommend some places? So far I've been interested in a company in Jilin called Kenneth's English School and another in Harbin called California Sunshine International Language Center. I looked for reviews and haven't found any yet. Do any of you know about these schools?

Thanks,
Bianca

[naturegirl321]

[jwbhomer]

[quote="BiancaT"]It is freezing over here. I hate cold and I've noticed that there are varying temperature locations in China. I love heat and I think I was born in the wrong country. Would Shanghai be considered a warm year-round location or would I need to go even more south? If so could you recommend some places? So far I've been interested in a company in Jilin called Kenneth's English School and another in Harbin called California Sunshine International Language Center. I looked for reviews and haven't found any yet. Do any of you know about these schools?

Thanks,
Bianca[/quote]

I thought (according to Hunan Foreign Guy) that you were going to Guangzhou. Not so?
Anyway, you need to check your map! Shanghai is EAST, not south.
About the only place that you're going to find year-round warmth in China is Hainan. Even in Guangdong it can get chilly in the winter, the more so as there's no heat in the dorms or classrooms. When it gets down to 10 degrees outside, it's about 11 degrees inside!

[BiancaT]

Yes I am going to be in the Guangzhou area. I had posted that comment in March before I had signed my current contract.

[Tarheel 13]

Bianca, une autre Canadienne. Moi aussi.

So, you're off on your first adventure. Me, too, at age 53. Well, I've actually been living and teaching ESL along the Outer Banks of North Carolina for the past two years after retiring from civil service. However, I am off to China to teach at one of their better universities at the end of August.

Here are a few things that I have found out during my research prior to signing my job offer.

(1) Stay out of the big Cities if at all possible. They will prove costly and as I see that you're not into the hedonistic nightlife, then consider a public school position a bit removed. You'll see the new and old China. You may want to do your research on "quality of environment" for the destination cities. Some are better than others from what I read...and if you're Canadian coming from the land of quality air, let's keep the culture shock at a minimum.

(2) Public school positions may pay a high of 4,000 RBM in many cases, but in the smaller cities removed from tourism traps, this appears to be more than enough to live very comfortably. I will be earning 6,000 RMB in Wuhan, and I have no doubt that this amount will tide me over quite well, regardless of the size of this city.

(3) Any contract should be sent to you and you should have the opportunity to review it in detail. Make sure that monies to cover flights (either at the end of the 1st semester or school year) are included. Ensure utility costs (200 RMB per month) and some travel costs are there as well. Fully furnished and paid accommodation is a given by the employer.

Just a couple of my findings, and best wishes to you.

[HunanForeignGuy]

Dear Tarheel,

Welcome to China et je vous souhaite un voyage tout-a-fait agreable, dans tout en tous. C'est une aventure a ne pas manquer.

RMB 6000 a month will provide you with a nice level of comfort, that is for sure. RMB 6000 a month has about the buying power of RMB 12 000 a month here in Guangzhou.

As for BiancaT., I wish her quite well at her new institution of higher learning.

For Tarheel, mind you, the climate in Wuhan is rather rigourous, speaking politely, and the winters can be severe, although not Canadian-style and the summers can be as hot as Arizona.

Let me know once you are in Wuhan and if you wish I could put you in contact with people about your age and background. As you will discover, the foreign community in Wuhan is rather limited but yet there are stores like Walmart, Metro (like Costco in the States) and usual panoply of calorie-laden fast food restaurants).

All the best to both of you,

HFG

[Tarheel 13]

HunanForeignGuy: Thanks for the kudos. Yes, I will be in touch when I set down in the land of the Rising Sun. Looking forward to the adventure. Don