Job Discussion Forums

[william wallace]

Today I received news that I thought I had protected myself from a similar situation only a mere 12 months ago. I signed a contract Monday through one of the most prestigious universities in China. The contract stated 10,000 RMB per month, with 16 teaching hours, and 4 office hours with 2,000 RMB towards rent. Now you long time posters know I've seen and been through a fair bit in my 13+ years here. In all honesty the contract was fair at best, but it would've been enough to save to leave this...this...this country once and for all, at the contracts completion. Today I got a phone call late afternoon from one of the folks swinging the deal between Qinghua and a Californian based university, only to tell me that I had no job - It was to start Monday. I signed the contract with a somewhat-newbie,but was suspicious when the duplicate copies of the contracts were taken away (wasn't one copy supposed to be for us FTs ?)
My friend had started her own school last year after quite a hefty investment got hoodwinked by a top 5 university last year. By the way, she is Chinese-Canadian and the type of employer serious-minded FTs love to have---being on our side! I naturally would have preferred to work for her,but now she is ipso facto studentless ;hard to compete with the false claims of future success of students, when you're telling parents that realistically they can't guarantee a Band 6-7

While I am OLD(44), I myself am not ageist ,and have worked with some 20-something folks who were damned good conscientious teachers. And to those of like-ilk, I say stay clear of Beijing...Elsewhere ??
Cheers

P.S. To the "somewhat-newbie" what ever you have heard PM me, or put it on here. After all I've gone through, doesn't make a fig-ing difference.

[therock]

Unemployed in China, it doesn't get any worse. Look at the bright side you can go home sooner rather than later.

[william wallace]

YEAAAAaaaaahhh, but the thing is this year was to be my last year in China.I finished my job in June and went through some of the savings from July until now.And, as I had said, I got hoodwinked last September, which was to basically be my last year back then - I don't wanna return for the first time in 14 years to Canada to seek work with....500 bucks in my pocket.

[SpedEd]

My thoughts would be for you to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and exit China with a clear mind. I was going to go over for a work stint but the pay sucks. When I asked about the students, whom I thought would be the studious, hard-core, ambitious type, I was promptly informed that I would be delusional to go over there believing this. So I ask: What's the advantage of China other than the '08 summer olympics in Beijing?

[SnoopBot]

Jeeesh WW, I feel your pain and THIS could happen to anyone of us regardless of our experience, reputation and qualifications.

Beijing, isn't the place to be, unless you want a lower salary than nominal inflation rates and with some extra angle type job to fall back on.

Best wishes for you

PS: Did they find a cheaper person to accept that position you lost? What exactly happened?

[latefordinner]

WW, what can I say but OUCH!! Anyone can take a hit here, no matter how experienced, no matter now professional. No, it ain't just BJ that isn't a suitable place to be a professional. It's all China.

Snoopbot, your options post to the longrunning "How low" thread fits here.

[jg]

Go to Korea. They'll pay for your flight over, pay for your flat, and a vet like you will surely be able to save a lot more than $500 on the salaries they offer. One year in Korea and you can travel before you go back home.

[englishgibson]

good advice jp, but WW might've got something/someone to be in this lovely country for

[william wallace]

Thanks folks... I'm so disgusted and shocked,but I know I shouldn't be.Conditions have fallen here, but they should have risen,as they were never great here...so why the saturation here ?

One of the Qinghua academic wanna-be business folks called and said that they only had 12 students, even the students that put down the 2,000 RMB registration fee dropped out; with no regrets of loosing the deposit. Do I believe him ? Doesn't even matter. He's made the same promise that the Jiaotong cadre made to me last year. I only went to 2 of those interviews,as they were so all around bad.

[therock]

[kjkrause]

in canada unemployment assitance is a mute point west of winnipeg.. stores, coffee shops resturants ect close early for lack of retail staff. Vancouver rivals beijing for cranes on the skyline. For expats returning to canada no better time to do...jobs easy..money $$$...housing a bit harder,,,

[william wallace]

I wish this could be a sticky,but I realistically don't think it can be so. As soon as this posting goes into the dusty archives of page 2, then 3,4,5 ...I mean to go through so much hoopla for a measly 3,000-7,000 RMB per month in Beijing SHOULD be enough to stave off serious minded teachers, but I don't think it is. I think with China's much over-hyped progress is the inclusion by default of a development within the ESL/EFL market. And you'd have to think this progression firstly in markets like Beijing and Shanghai then places like Zibo and where ever. Shanghai seems to be a respectable market, as there are jobs (and significantly more numerous) ranging from 8,000-15,000 RMB...but Beijing ? most of the jobs advertised are those inclusive "Need 200 teachers in Beijing, Tianjin, and throughout China", and as far as jobs from the rag-mag/online "That's Beijing" ? My dear folks, if you need employment from there...ask your embassy for funds to help you fly home-They are mostly that bad ! When Beijing is as expensive or near to as expensive as Shanghai, but the jobs are there in Shanghai, and pay 2X or 3X that of Beijing; there really should be a sticky for Beijing's poor employment situation.
Cheers and beers

[InTime]

WW
RHL can be a good place to save money and have job security.
6000 RMB/month starting, no expenses
free lake-side villas w/teachers in large rooms...
free food (generally Hunan style, so far)
free Mandarin training (in process)
www.redhorselake.com.cn

Blue skies.
Fresh air.
Wake and rise w/no noise pollution.
Seeing surise/sunset thru pine trees, out the large picture windows, balconies.
Great for rejuvenatimg Mind/Body/Heart.

The place is definitely not for all, such as those seeking Club-going/fast city life-style.

BUT...for some other sorts, this place has some very appealing qualities
...there IS a 'Sellers'Market" security for good teachers
BUT...the place can get BORING...so...I've been cultivating relations in special Fenghuang...so FTs will be able to come/teach here as well as RHL

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/hunan/zhangjiajie/fenghuangcheng.htm

I'm 60 and we have another Elder here...
a Pioneer in Simulation/Gaming
Was Basketball coach during the Summer Camp
He's 74...
RHL recently flew out my 75 year old Tai Chi teacher from Shanghai,
to see about developing a Tai Chi Training Sessions here

They recently signed the Contract with the Changsha School Dept.
(I gave a speech at the meeting)
Bus loads of students will be coming for 3--5 day seesions in Experiential Learning, including Movie Magic in our large auditorium w/DVD Projector

So...there's NO PROBLEM with enrolment
There's assured Cash Flow.

PLUS...the 2nd Foreign Language just trucked in their desks
Students will be living at RHL for 3 month sessions...

AND...there's talk..for some FTs...about a "Money Tree"...
...developing some long-term income-generating programs
So...when folks return home. they can serve as Recruiters for folks suitable for RHL/Fenghuang

[william wallace]

Thanks In-time,but maybe 10-12 years ago.
Cheers mate

[SnoopBot]