Job Discussion Forums

[NorthofAmerica]

While looking over jobs with the usual chain schools I keep finding myself interested in the postings for Web International, especially in Dalian.

They generally offer 7000 PLUS 2000 for housing, seems alright. Small groups, mostly corporate or adult, which I like. And 25 hours or less teaching time. All in all it seems alright but I am curious if anyone has worked for them or knows more about this company.

Also, in general does it pay to negotiate with the starting pay of a company if you have some experience? Anybody have any experience negotiating their starting contract from overseas?

[jibbs]

That's a big chain. There are 2 in Nanjing. One I heard is not good because of the manager. I know some guys who worked at the other one and it sounded not bad, not great. There's one near where I live too.

7000 + 2000 sounds OK. You might try for 8000. 100/h is not a great wage. Don't know how expensive Dalian is. Heard it's a good spot though. Depends on the school.

The classes are 60 minutes, meaning no breaks often. So you end a bit early, start a bit late, hopefully no uptight managers. You'd be there around 35 hrs per week, 5 days a week, not sure which 5 days. Weekends are their busiest times. You won't have a lot of free time really.

I heard it's pretty easy most of the time, following a set curriculum, though some classes might be painful, like teaching business English, unless that's your thing. Students want oral English, but many will be quiet unless you ask them something directly. You can make fast friends with the other FTs, a good thing in a new place. No real vacation time unless you take some unpaid leave where they might want you to find the replacement.

The dreaded English Corner: see if you can get out of that! About once a week you'll be scheduled to entertain whatever number of students wants to show up to magically learn English. Could be 30 of them in cramped room, all various levels, and the topic of presentation is up to you. Unless you are Krusty the Klown they'll get bored and ignore you, speak Chinese to each other, play with cell phones, etc.. I would never do it!

That's all I know, secondhand information actually.

[Sonnibarger]

I have heard mostly good things about the branch in Wuhan... The one issue here is they cannot legally hire FT's yet... im sure that is not a problem in other cities tho

[Lhenderson]

It is often described as an english mill hiring those without proper credentials.

[China.Pete]

"[Web International] generally offer �7,000 plus �2,000 for housing -- seems alright. Small groups, mostly corporate or adult, which I like. And 25 hours or less teaching time." -- North

Web's pay scale is near the top of the market for Dalian, but that's not saying much. Universities there will be so glad to offer you �4,000 (although with accommodation and a return air ticket). You'll have to adapt to teaching the "Web way." That's a sheet or two of lesson notes for each 60-minute lesson. That's it. No textbooks, just the notes. I doubt they would negotiate on contract terms. All their FTs are on the same contract, unless you're in a DOS-type position, and they have little competition in terms of salaries anyway. You may be understating the number of required contact hours. I seriously doubt your scheduled hours are likely to drop below the contract requirement, and may even be subject to an increase to 30 or so during "busy periods." �2,000 will get you a newer studio apartment not too far from the school, which is right downtown. This could be an ideal job for the FT with somewhat modest credentials and a Dalian-Chinese girlfriend to support. You'll have little enough time otherwise for an active social life.

[arioch36]

In CHina, always bargain .. ALWAYS!

Personally I have always found a gooduni job to pay better then a language mill school, if you look at hours worked for pay/ benefits received. I say this as I have left a uni for a higher paying job, but when you factor in vacations, days off, my higher paying job isn't all that great of a deal. And I do not work nights or weekends, which most language schools demand.

4,500 at a uni 16 hours a month .. everything paid for (got to get the housing in detailed print) 8 outside hours a week (not that I would) 125/ hour = another $4,500 per mont, 9,000 per month, same number of teaching hours, awesome vacations, and YOU control the extra hours. No, 16 hours at a uni is better then 8,000 for 25 hours at some language mill any day

[China.Pete]

"[�4,500 for] 16 hours at a university is better then �8,000 for 25 hours at some language mill any day." -- Arioch

Speaking personally, I'd have to agree. Taking a university job, and topping up the salary with a few extra hours at a Global IELTS for �100-150 per hour, cash in hand, has got to beat being at Web or any other mill for all those hours week after week. But not everyone has the credentials to land a job at one of the limited number of universities I'd consider worth working for in Dalian (those offering decent apartments and benefits). And you can't necessarily count on bagging the extra hours immediately. For some folks, at certain times in life, a language mill might just fit the bill.

[chon nom]

No

[NorthofAmerica]

Thanks a lot for your info guys, especially China.Pete and jibbs!!

I am now taking a look at some of the uni jobs. I'll just keep fishing and see what comes up.


It seems like people are suggesting fewer hours and then setting up some privates. I worked full time in Japan and set up extra privates. I made a lot of money in spite of all the running around but do they generally look the other way on private lessons in China?

[China.Pete]

"Private student tutoring jobs can be very hard to find in China if you want to charge at least �100 per hour." -- Jeacoefl

This is especially true in Dalian. That's why some people may choose to work for Web. At least they're guaranteed a certain monthly income, and, as I recall, there is an automatic pay hike if you can stick it out for at least three months. Been there (at a different language school), done that, not interested in going back. But it's not the sort of job that goes begging for long in Dalian.

[Sonnibarger]

another option is teaching at a primary school.. I work 15-35 min classes a week (1 class thursday/friday) getting paid 6200 a month.. I have 3 co-teachers that do all my marking, homework, teach around 10minutes of every class, and control the kids. Its one of the top schools in the city with great material... I have 0 office hours and rarely have more than 10 minutes prep time a day... I know teaching kids can be taxing but its always an option.. I pick up somewhere between 6 and 15 extra hours a week teaching conversation classes for adults.. some months i can clear over 12000rmb still having weekends free... oh reminds me of a question... has anyone signed a double contract with a school? I have talked to my school about signing again next year with double the hours (30 classes a week) Im not sure what to ask for.. double the salary is a given.. what about housing allowence, flight bonus, holiday pay, contract bonus? The school loves me and would rather give me the hours than risk signing another teacher..

[platinum peyote]

If it is your first job in China, then Web is not bad. It's also a good way to make Chinese friends as the students will want to hang out with you if you are:

- Witty
- Entertaining and
- Not hideous-looking.

May your job hunt be blessed and may you prosper eternally under Buddha's benevolence in the PRC, brother.

[TapRed]

Web is one of the worst chains in the business. First off their so-called "training manager" is some punk from the U.K., about 26-years of age whose claim to fame is using the word "Befuddlement" as he tries to hold train the trainer sessions. I observed one of his classes and nearly laughed myself out of the building. I would never work there. I was at their Shanghai office which was scattered between several floors of some high-rise fire trap after I went to check them out. Just like Wall Street, they are a total joke and ought to be closed down ASAP. Most of their "lessons" were pirated from other "ESL schools" like EF.

Negative 5 Stars & 2 Thumbs Down.

[platinum peyote]

Yeah, training centers are good just for part-time work, and to meet people, that's about it.

These days, Web will hire anyone it seems (as in unqualified people).

[inchinanow]

They are OK. I worked for them. But you will do 25 teaching hours + 15 office hours for a total of 40 hours. Plus, you will be asked to work extra hours for 100 rmb per hour overtime.