Job Discussion Forums

thebigqtip · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 15

Greetings.

I've done my time in Korea and I'm currently teaching English in Poland. It's lovely here, but I can barely afford to splurge for my nightly 9.2% ABV Zywiec porter. With graduate school looming, next year I'd like to teach someplace somewhat profitable (Asia), but I'd prefer not to have a Korean reprise, for fear of what it would do to my psychology.
So, what are the prospects salary-wise for someone with a university degree in English, a CELTA certificate, and two years of teaching experience? I realize China is a big place and salaries are bound to vary quite a bit, but would it be possible for me to make more as a grizzled veteran in China than I did as a greenhorn in Korea?

Thanks! Thor bless,
- Keith

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

To put it simply "NO" not without putting in a year or two here and making contacts first. A good Uni here will pay about a third or less of a good Uni in South Korea.

The big money here that can be as good as Korea is corporate teaching but as I said you need to feel your way into that over a year or two on the ground here. Also you need a feel for business talk!

EPIK in Korea working for public schools pays about 22,000 RMB a month plus all the holidays paid and accommodation etc. Here in Shanghai you get about 15,000 RMB at public schools and have to find and pay for your own accommodation and only get paid for 10 months of the year. Smaller cities you get about 4,500 RMB a month plus accommodation etc for public schools.

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

Simply put, for your first stint in China you will start at the bottom. As Anda said, you have no contacts or Chinese experience. Right now you meet the requirements for a FT with 2 years experience and a degree, a CELTA will give you that little edge but not much.

Salary wise, it really depends where you go. Google the advertisments and they will give you an idea of what to expect.

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

Why not Japan or Taiwan? Much easier than Korea on the psych. In Taiwan it is easier to freelance but getting in is more difficult. In Taiwan you always get paid. Hongkong pays well also. If you need the cash go to The mid east.

Moon Over Parma · Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 819

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

I found that in Taiwan I would always be working about five jobs at different school and companies. When one shafted me or wanted to discontinue the classes, I wasn't out too much. And unlike Korea or Japan ,no one cared the least . I was a small potatoes English teacher.
Also in Taiwan you can arrange your own lodging giving you more freedom. In China and Korea if you lose your job you lose your home.