Job Discussion Forums

[arioch36]

So, for the first time in a while, I did some serious looking for a new school. The new FAO girl at the school is really messing up everything positive at my uni. Wen I was here three years ago, every foreign teacher (10 or so) wanted to re-sign. This year, none of the new teachers re- signed. Two who have been here 3 years will continue.

SO last week spent two days looking. Briefly considered Guangdong, but maybe not this time around. The Yunnan dream popped in my head, but decided to stick with my current province.
Half of the sites I used and e-mail addresses I used didn't work. Can't say as I tried to hard. Like I said, spent two afternoons on the web.

So I quickly came down with two schools, both have housing that can accomodate my disabled wife.

The Uni offer is 5,200/ month (the new limit for which you don't have to pay taxes. Decent apartment. In a smaller city, but I like it. An hour away from the provincial capital. School pays everything (in accordance with SAFEA) plane, heating, provides computer (new computer) etc. They will also pay me for 12 months, not 10, or 11.
I have been in this province for 7 years, more or less (anyone want to find out what province, go for it, not too important). I would be quite surprised if someone got a better uni deal their first year in CHina, at least at a reliable uni. Four paid months of paid vacation. At most, four work days. 18 hours, a little higher then I want, but this has been their policy for many years, not a recent thing, so it is more acceptable to me. I also had a similar offer for 16 hours. Obviously 14 hours is preferrable. Maybe in the future
Probably take this deal

Second offer, certainly the smart man would take. At a "GAC" school ( a private "language" school with a real curriculum and purpose, anyone wants to know about GAC, do a web search), 20 hours a week, 8,500 (that includes the realistic end of semester bonus). Probably pay 1,500 out of pocket expenses for rent and utilities that the school wouldn't provide, no computer, other small things like that. but a much larger apartment, in what most would consider a good section of town. Hints that if thing worked out, I would see some good pay raises, and an offer at DOS position the following year. No office hours to mention, but GAC does have definite homework.assessments/lesson plans to submit (not a bad thing, in my opinion). Paid for 11 months, but if I sign for the second year, I would get the 12th month.

Why do I write this? I think these are the realistic good options available in China. I would consider both slightly, slightly above average, especially for a first timer. Yeah, I got offered 13,000 plus to work at some language mill, office hours, travel to different towns to open a branch school, teaching skills not required (Work at your EFL language mill for a year or two, and you will probably get some offers like this. Take the offers, and become a bought and sold man, kiss your teaching ethics goodbye).
I feel comfortable that both jobs would use my skills as a teacher. The college would be less able to reward me financially. Two slightly different job tracks, but both I could respect myself and the school doing either job. Having a wife to support, I should probaly take the higher paying job ... but I am leaning the other way.
Just my two cents on what I consider to be good deals in China.


Of course, starting a school myself, teaching private lessons, all of that is a separate category

[SnoopBot]

I would take the lower salary, the conditions seem much better and when you subtract the out-of-pocket expenses from the higher salary they seem almost the same.

The big difference is the hours, the lower hours allow you to do privates to boost any shortage of income. These lower hours also allow you to spend more quality time with your disabled wife.

Happiness before salary in this case

[Anda]

Go with the Uni but get them to write into your contract that part time work is okay by them. Eight hours of part time work should give you a minimum of 800 RMB a month. So six is not that far off seven and I bet you will have a better life. You have to be really popular as a teacher at institutes and many want to control how and what you teach which can create problems with your ability to be popular with students. Part time work at an institute gives them far less control over you.

[Song&Dance]

"The big difference is the hours, the lower hours allow you to do privates to boost any shortage of income. These lower hours also allow you to spend more quality time with your disabled wife."

I second this!!