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Waltzing
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
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 Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:39 am Post subject: Happy with your job/company? |
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Hello all. Like many, I am looking for EFL teaching jobs in Shanghai. There's a lot of info on this site, warnings against schools, etc., which is great, but what I really want to know is-- who's happy? Among all the talk of scandals and getting ripped off and being generally discontent, which of you have found yourself in a good situation, surrounded by good people, in good/decent conditions? Who are you employed by? What, do you think, is the key to your happiness/contentedness in China? Is it pay, administrative support, fun colleagues, great students?
Obviously there will be no perfect company, but they're not all out to get you, right? I'm willing to take the good with the bad, that's part of life, but I also like to enjoy life every so often. So if you've got an experience/company that has been mostly positive, would you mind sharing?
Thanks. |
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Trish Flurman
Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 92
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:37 am Post subject: |
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| Unlike most people on the forum, I love my job, life in China, and the Chinese people. I am perfectly happy with staying here for years to come and don't spend my time complaining like so many others here. I suppose it's hit-or-miss on finding something, but research will help. |
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mike w
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 1071
Location: Beijing building site
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Been here 13 years - can't think of any compelling reasons to leave. |
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China.Pete
Joined: 27 Apr 2006
Posts: 547
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:57 am Post subject: The Key to Happiness? |
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"What, do you think, is the key to your happiness/contentedness in China?" -- Waltzing
Learning to deal with the unexpected. One of the many possible reasons not to sing the praises of a particular school or employer is that the conditions of employment in China can change so much from one year to the next. When things change, and you complain about it, at least one other person on this forum will probably be glad to quote your pollyannaish words back to you. Make the best employment decision you can under the circumstances. Learn to be content with your choice. Then, be ready to move on to something else after a year or two if you see your interests and those of your employer heading in opposite directions. |
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cj750s
Joined: 26 May 2007
Posts: 701
Location: Donghai Town, Beijng
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:26 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| which of you have found yourself in a good situation, surrounded by good people, in good/decent conditions? |
That is like asking who has a fun job...no such thing...but then again why ask forum members who define life by their employment instead of their pastime. After work specials......that is when you can control the environment and the company.
| Quote: |
| What, do you think, is the key to your happiness/contentedness in China? |
Being mobile. A motorcycle with a preferable a big inch engine or a moderate cc displacement will make you mobile and less hostile when the fan starts to distribute the sh it less evenly around the room. |
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Anda
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2199
Location: Jiangsu Province
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:40 am Post subject: |
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You will have ups and downs no matter where you go.
Being happy is about putting a lot into your job and expecting nothing back. This way leads to happiness as you will always nearly get on with those around you. A few Chinese will however dislike you for the sole reason that you get a higher wage for less hours and responsibilities; so is life.
One Westerner can be happy where he / she works but another can be complaining all the time.
One of the most important things is to not take on a job that doesn't tell you exactly what your hours will be or other conditions. Your main job must pay you enough to live a decent life here. Government jobs are safer than private sector jobs. If you work for an institute that is not making money then your boss will get upset with you if you are making more than he is. |
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cj750s
Joined: 26 May 2007
Posts: 701
Location: Donghai Town, Beijng
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:24 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Being happy is about putting a lot into your job and expecting nothing back. |
Say what? |
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Anda
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2199
Location: Jiangsu Province
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:21 am Post subject: Um |
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| Would you like me to add extra outside of what is on your contract? |
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englishgibson
Joined: 09 Mar 2005
Posts: 4345
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:50 am Post subject: |
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| Unlike most people on the forum, I love my job, life in China, and the Chinese people.............don't spend my time complaining like so many others here.......... |
and you love sh*ttin'on views of many other users on, generally speaking 
that reminds me of some chenglish contracts for FTs where "you must love your job and students" ...quite a common phrase
now, i enjoy teaching students here in china...it's really challenging, when you see this huge difference in between their first language and english...then, the cultural difference is just incredible
OP, if you are in czech republic and if you have taught there, you will see a huge difference here in china...and that in a sense of the expectations from you since here in china the chinese teachers lay fundamentals for students mostly...however, if you get in some young learners private center you might actually be a part of that too....then, the life in czech rep might be more civilized to you than here in china, although the shock might be lower in bigger cities such as shanghai
cheers and beers to all the new commers in this lovely 5,000 years old country |
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arioch36
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 3589
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:23 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Unlike most people on the forum, I love my job, life in China, and the Chinese people. I am perfectly happy with staying here for years to come and don't spend my time complaining like so many others here. |
Never met a poster that sounded less happy. If you are content, you don't have to wory so much about others 
No, I don't subscribe to the idea that I must be happy everday every moment at my job. Sometimes I am mad at the school trying to cheat me, sometimes I am disappointed at a student or myself, sometimes I am tired. You know, that why they call it work, pilgrim. It's a four letter word and they have to pay you to do it. it's not fun, it's work. I have found the working to be very frustrating and very rewarding
Anda
| Quote: |
| Being happy is about putting a lot into your job and expecting nothing back |
My first reaction was CJ750's, though I think I can see part of Anda's angle. Certainly the biggest source of frustration for many of us (at least me) comes from our expectations of the Chinese system.I no longer expect to get paid everything due me in a timely manner. I demand it, but I don't expect it.So that takes care of a large amount of frustration. I no longer expect good textbooks, or any textbooks. I do demand that the department will back me up when it comes to my students
Overall, I'm not into the word "happy"Students often use the phrase "happy every day" especially when they are feeling unhappy. Happy connotates a meaning to me that is based easily changed emotional tides.
I am overall content with my life (Hebrews 13:5) and I find my work to be rewarding. The school that didn't give me my final pay for six months? My work was still rewarding. Everywhee i have taught, I have felt was a rewarding experience. And the more I put into my work, the wore rewarding it has been.
Maybe Anda is on to something. Just get rid of the word "happy"  |
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cj750s
Joined: 26 May 2007
Posts: 701
Location: Donghai Town, Beijng
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:29 am Post subject: |
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| Would you like me to add extra outside of what is on your contract? |
say what........ redux |
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arioch36
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 3589
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:32 am Post subject: |
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CJ
Anda
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Quote:
Would you like me to add extra outside of what is on your contract?
CJ
say what........ redux |
Maybe this is a way of asking you for a date??? |
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cj750s
Joined: 26 May 2007
Posts: 701
Location: Donghai Town, Beijng
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| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:13 am Post subject: |
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| sorry I have a bad gag reflex |
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mgafunnell
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
Posts: 89
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| Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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| BSK shanghai is a good company. atleast in my opinion. i have been treated fairly and they provide as promised. i will likely sign on for another year. i have taught in korea, poland and canada and i can easily say that bsk is good. |
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mgafunnell
Joined: 29 Jun 2007
Posts: 89
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| Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject: |
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| apply to bsk shanghai. i work there and all in all, it has been a decent company to work for. i think i have landed in a honey pot. i have taught in canada, poland, south korea and china. thus far, bsk is the best. |
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