Job Discussion Forums

inchinanow · Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 102 Location: China

I have been offered 10,000 RMB per month to teach science at a Private School near Beijing. I have a B.S. Degree from a Western University. The apartment is provided for about 300 RMB per month and I believe meals are free. My question is this: Do you think that 10,000 RMB per month is adequate?

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

I'd guess most foreign teachers earn less than 8 K, from their main job anyway.

TexasHighway · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 779

On the surface, it sounds good but the devil is in the details. How many teaching hours, office hours, staff meetings, English corners or other obligations? Show us the whole picture, not just salary, and we can give the offer a more realistic appraisal. In the words of the song, Hotel California, "it could be heaven or it could be hell"!

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

This is quite an obvious case of underpaying for a position for which a Science degree is required. 10'000 would be a fine salary for an English teacher; those that teach OTHER subjects (using English as the language of instruction) generally make considerably more.

You should be looking at a starting salary of 15'000.

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

aiyaa... just noticed you only have a Bachelor's and you mentioned no teaching experience. These two limiting factors may drive down your bargaining power.

Lister · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 264

I can't comment on the salary but 300 RMB a month sounds very cheap for an apartment. How close to Beijing is it?
Sounds like it could be on campus, can you live with that? Can you get into your place after 10pm or is do they close the gates?

Meals are provided but do you want to live on institutional food? Can you cook in your 'apartment'?

These are the questions I'd be asking.

inchinanow · Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 102 Location: China

� I have teaching experience.
� The apartment is on campus.
� The teaching hours are about 18 to 22 hours per week.
� Meals are provided.
� The contract is for 6 months.
� I have spoken with other teachers at the school. They say the living and working situation is good.
� I just worry that the pay is too low for a Science Degree. They say in their literature that the pay range is between 8000 to 12,000 RMB per month.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

Free canteen food isn't a perk - it's a sentence. Part of the fun of being in China is eating - and visiting diffrent restaurants - lunches with colleagues and friends!!!!
Free food could mean that you're not allowed off campus during break-time - yes some schools have rules that teachers must remain on campus even during long lunchtime breaks. Some schools are situated so far out in the sticks - there are hardly any places to eat off campus!!!!

eddy-cool · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 1008

I knew a British chemistry and physics teacher that raked in two-and-a-half times your salary but then again he had to work over 20 hours a week and sit in an office for another ten hours or so. That was his starting salary; it later plungede suddenly because he had made the mistake of quitting, then returning.

Is your contract renewable? If not - you might have to settle for something else paying less.