Job Discussion Forums

[Shanghai bound]

Hi guys. After much research, my friend and I have decided to teach English in Shanghai. We're moving there from Chicago in July (after completing a TEFL cert at TEFL Inernational in Phuket). We've read a lot on the internet regarding pay scales (sounds like between 4,000-5,000 RMB/mo. is pretty average, depending on qualifications). How much would you say you'd have to make monthly and live relatively decently - i.e., have a two bedroom apt (if not included with contract), go out every now and then, and travel a bit within Asia during holidays in SH? We're planning on eating local (rarely expensive Western food, etc.) and not spending a lot on "stuff" for the apt. It appears the std of living in SH might be significantly higher than anywhere else in China? Also, can anyone recommend the best places to live?
thanks so much! Rebecca

[eion_padraig]

4000 - 5000/month is low unless they are also paying for a Z visa and free accomodation, if you have a TEFL. This also depends on hours. It wouldn't be bad for 12 - 16 hours/week, but 18+ would mean it was low. You could do this if you found a really cheap house, but I probably wouldn't want to live in the kind of place you would find.

I would say making 5000 - 6000/month with housing covered, or an extra 2500/month without housing covered would allow you to do what you describe. Housing costs is a big variable and unless you are either very lucky or have very good Chinese and bargaining skills, you will pay too much per month for rent. Shanghai is an interesting city, but there are all sorts of ways to spend your money quickly.

The advice on where to live depends on what you want to be doing. I think living pretty close to work is also a good idea. If at all possible, live close to a metro station. It makes like much more convenient and going places won't take as much time, money, or emotional energy.

If you don't already, learning some Chinese before you come can be useful. You don't strict need to now Chinese to live in Shanghai, but it's like living near a metro station (convenient, saves time and money) Bring lots of English books to read for pleasure if that's a hobby of yours. You can also trade them for books that others have.

[Shanghai bound]

Thanks, Eion! I really appreciate your feedback. would you say there are a fair number of English teaching jobs available in and around Shanghai these days? I have quite a few web sites bookmarked and it doesn't look too bad. Many offer accommodation and the Z visa. Also, did you (or anyone else) find a job before you got there, or would you recommend looking for one while there on a tourist visa? (I understand that I'd have to leave the country and come back in order to qualify for a Z visa later on).

Also, has anyone heard of or have any opinions on EF English First schools, Wall Street, or Informatics?
Thanks!!

[lagerlout2006]

There should be stuff on EF on Job Info Journal...I arrived in China -2 times- on atourist visa and had it changed. But I had a job lined up and was met at the airport each time. Chinese cities are not easy to get around in at first but then again Shanghai has the Metro. If you have the bucks it might be fun to arrive there - get a hotel and start looking...Where I stay is about 35US a night but there are hostels for about 8...I would at least want to arrive with a couple of solid leads though...

[zydeco]

People make 10+ in Shangers without blinking. That's for 16ish hours. With a TEFL cert, don't sell yourself too far short of that. It is an expensive city after all.

[struelle]

[Shanghai bound]

Thanks so much guys, for all your feedback. It helps tremendously. We're both going to have our TEFL certs. My friend is a high school teacher, but my background is in consulting (although I am volunteering ESL services in Chicago currently at a Chinese aid organization).

Does anyone have any recommendations as far as reliable/trustworthy universities, private language schools, or businesses that might recruit English teachers/trainers in Shanghai? Which are the best universities?

If a job doesn't supply accommodation, how difficult is it to secure a decent apartment? Do you have to post several months' rent as deposit? Is there "key money" like in Korea? If you don't know Mandarin/Shanghainese, should we expect that the landlords will try to overcharge us? Would it be helpful to have a local help us with this?

Thanks again.

[eion_padraig]

Shanghai University and SILC (Aussie joint venture) at Shanghai University both are okay for jobs. There are tons of good places to find jobs out there though.

Your friend could probably get a job at an international school making at least twice what an EFL teacher could make with being certified to teach at an American high school. At the very least, he could substitute teach and make good money. There are a number of international schools that cater to the ex-pats' children.

Finding an apartment for a typical EFL teacher's salary can be a bit difficult if you don't speak Chinese. You will be charged more than you should and negotiating may be difficult if you don't know what it is worth. Having a local friend to help out would be extremely useful. Expect to pay at least 1500 to 5000 yuan a month depending on how large, what neighborhood, furnishing, how new the apartment is, etc. You generally have to front three months rent. Usually people pay two months rent at a time. Also, the agents who supposedly help you find a place are pretty useless. They get annoyed if they show you two places and you haven't decided you like one of them.

[jg]

If you come to Shanghai without work lined up (possibly a good idea) be prepared to wait - i.e., have a little moola saved. It took me a few weeks of eating in restaurants and living in a hostel to find work, and it got somewhat expensive. Plus you want to be in a situation where you can pick and choose and not take the first job that comes down the pipe - I got lucky and got a good gig, but I was desperate and could have been shafted.

As far as living areas, dont pay 3 or 4 months up front. Perhaps for some of the higher end places, but i talked my landlord into one month up front and a security deposit - thereafter I must pay 3 months at a time, but it gives me a chance to save up before rent time comes. Stay away from the all-foreigner/Tawianese places. I got a nice one bedroom, high floor with great view, and I pay 2000. There is a foreigner ghetto nearby with much the same layout and the rates are double.

Also, don't make the mistake of living very near a metro station. Go a few blocks further away and save some money, have a Chinese person look at some of the online websites that advertise in Mandarin. I did that and avoided paying the hefty agency fee. I would try to find some friendly Chinese person to help me through it, the other person was right about real estate agents. They are impatient and will lie to get their commission.

Good luck!

[struelle]

[Newfoundland]

I would say check out www.thatsshanghai.com they usually have between 3-5 new jobs everyday and you should find the pay is more than what you were describing. Just had some friends getting new jobs and it seems as though 10,000 without acc may be becoming the new standard or 8,000 with acc. Jsut look for employment on the right had side, aso a good place to find stuff your looking for.

[Yu]

My husband and I are also planning to move to Shanghai in August. As far as housing goes, we will plan to live with his sister until we found a place. The way I was explained that housing worked was to get a realtor (apartment hunter) to show you apartments. When you find one that is suitable then you pay 35% of one month's rent as commission to the realtor. Then you pay the rent monthly. To change the locations you probably have to pay 1 months rent.
This is the information I got from my husband and sister-in-law who are from China.