Job Discussion Forums

[Ruth]

I came to China with the most honourable intentions. However, it is MAKING me lazy. Thought I was coming to teach 20 lessons a week. Contract changed. Now teaching 6. They wanted to give less money than the original contract, but we held out for what the contract said, and got it. Didn't fight them on the hours, though. I don't teach evenings or weekends, but the Chinese English teachers do. I'm supposed to be in the office from 8-4:30 M-F but can leave to go shopping - even a trip to the nearest city which is at least a half day event - if I don't have any classes. Lunch is almost 2 hours long, and we can leave shortly after 4, if not actually teaching that period. GRUELING schedule. I'm actually quite bored and am trying to get some informal chat times set up for lunch hours.

If you could find a position like this, you could be semi-retired. I know I feel that way.

[zydeco]

I'm teaching pre-school in Suzhou. I know you've already sworn off teaching kiddies, but you might want to reconsider it. The hardest part of my day is the "Put your whole self in" part of the Hokey Pokey. I just can't thrash like I used to. It's been a long time since my Nirvana days.

Oh, and I'm from the States. Soon to return as well - after a long vacation spending my hard earned RMB. And let me beat everyone to it...GOOD RIDDANCE! If I could give you one last piece of advice, wiggy, it would be to only semi-retire in China for a short period. Stay too long and you'll get warped - worse than one of those tapes you leave in your car during a hot summer day...assuming that's not a pre-existing condition.