Job Discussion Forums

Seiko · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Posts: 5

I�m currently considering looking for an EFL contract in China... from my limited reading Qingdao seems like quite an attractive prospect as a base given its location, the smallish Korean expat community and the general lifestyle that the city appears to offer.

I have spent the last year teaching EFL at a hagwon in Korea, doing the babysitting job that is kindergarten in the morning, while teaching advanced TOEFL to the most senior students in the afternoon. I also had a number of private students that varied from conversation to preparing students for IELTS and TOEFL, all before I moved back to the UK in March. I�ve spent my last 6 months working in a corporate role [non-teaching] in the city of London where I currently still am. I�m a Law grad, with no teaching certifications [although I did write a few pieces for my ex K-girl�s MA in TESOL] and one year teaching experience.

What would be the suggested steps in securing a decent contract in China, and what should I expect financially? I�m seeing monthly figures fluctuate vastly so a yardstick for my experience / background would be quite useful. I�d like to organise everything from the comfort of home but I do wonder if it would act as a huge limitation. If it was to, a none too desirable option would be to call on a friend I have studying an MA in Shanghai to stay at his place, but I�m not too keen on flying over all gung-ho to secure a contract either.

Two observations that crossed my mind from my time in Korea were the doors that �looks� could open for guys fitting a certain mould, and the doors that a non-Canadian / US accent kept closed. I was wondering if the same principles applied in China, too.

Many thanks.

AussieGuyInChina · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 403

The unpleasant (for you) reality is that, with only 1 year of experience, you're going to get the run-of-the-mill salary, 4,000 - 6,000 per month; unless you get very lucky.

With the exception of my first teaching gig in China, each of the above-average salary jobs I have secured were open only to teachers with a minimum of 5 years experience.

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

Qingdao - lowest salaries in Shandong based on cost of living. "Smallish Korean expat community" numbers more than 100,000. Yes, generally a higher scale lifestyle, but you have to pay for it. If you're like most other people who come to China - to live it up, drink, find girls, and the like, then Qingdao is for you...

Qingdao also offers a nearly 50% rate of illegal jobs (not certified for foreign teachers, won't provide Z visa, etc). But, it would generally appear that since you had "private students" in Korea then you MAY not care about legality - unless you received legal permission to have your private students there.

The point being - Qingdao is hardly what it's cracked up to be.

A private English facility will pay you 3500-6000 at the most I'd say and that says little based on living expenses.

Also keep in mind that the Qingdao police bureau is quite strict about following the rules should you try to go the legal route of a job offer - invite letter, references, and the like - and one person I know personally was "removed" from China when the police checked the authenticity of the copy of his college degree.

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

The universities in Qingdao offer around 4000 which is pretty poor. You will be able to live, but considering that Qingdao is touristy and there are quite a few foreigners there, your money won't go as far.

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

Yes, the 3500-6000 RMB salary is for private language academies.

Qingdao area universities pay 2200-2600 for a bachelor degree, 2600-3300 for a master's, and 3500-4500 for a PhD. The have conspired to what is essentially price-fixing - this has been stated directly to me by the FAO at Qingdao University of Science and Technology.

In addition, said universities do not want to pay for airfare.

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

11:59 · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:18 am Post subject:

2 over lee · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:44 am Post subject:

It is good to know you're out there 11:59.

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

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

canada_katie · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 12

I went to China to teach when I was 18 - 20 years old and made around 6000RMB (a month) my second year
(though this was before you had to have a university degree).
Usually if you are not paid that much, you are not working that many hours so you can teach on the side privately and charge 100RMB a hour!
This is what i did - taught 28 hours a week and then taught privately on the side.
I taught in a public primary school and way prefered it to a private school.

KLL