Job Discussion Forums

[WanderingD]

I am seriously considering a move to China in the very near future, perhaps to Shanghai (though I am open to other locations). I am not overly concerned with money as I have other income, and only want to teach part-time (or at least no morning hours as trading at times keeps me up until the wee hours).

Is this doable, or do employers prefer to hire only those who will work the hours they want when they want? I am qualified enough (an MA TESOL, several years of experience) and would probably just head there on spec to check things out, do some interviews, and then (if hired) leave the country if necessary to take care of legalities.

I am also wondering about housing. By signing anything less than the usual contract I could lose out on accommodation. If so, would there be any alternatives? How feasible would it be to set myself up? A high-speed internet connection would be essential.

Any help would be appreciated!

[sui jin]

You are not likely to get a contract for part-time work because the work visa is only for full time jobs (though this can be as few as 12-14 hours a week teaching). Why not come to Shanghai, rent a place for one or two months (some agents deal in short term lets), and see how things go?
If you're trading between China and other countries presumably you would qualify for an F business visa (needs some kind of sponsor in China I believe).
Meanwhile you can check out the teaching scene, speak to training schools etc. You could find a 'full-time' teaching job that only requires afternoon and evening work.

[YankeeDoodleDandy]

High Speed Internet 1G 1200 RMB 2G 1400 RMB 4G 1800 RMB per year with China Telecom

[WanderingD]

Well then, off to Shanghai I should go. No doubt I will be able to get something worked out once I'm on the ground. By the way, the type of trading I do is the equity type online, hence the need for a high-speed Internet. Anyway, I did some teacher-training training in Suzhou a few summers ago, so maybe I'll be able to find some work along those lines in Shanghai. Or whatever. Thanks for for the input...!

[Jayray]

I suggest that you check with your local Chinese consulate before you make any plans. Be sure that you qualify for ANY type of visa other than a tourist visa before you decide to come to China to work.

[dialogger]

I suggest get a low contact hours regular teaching job - 20 hours pw or less.
That can get you an apartment, visas etc.
If (as in a university) you know your class hours you can structure your trading around that.
I knew a Canadian guy in Dalian who traded online from his uni apartment but as he was in the Nth American market he tended to be at the computer late at night Dalian time.
None of his classes were before 11am so it seemed to work out OK. Internet speeds never seemed to bother him and that was in 2005. Expect things have improved since then.
Uni admin knew it was going on but like most things - if you don't rub their noses in it, you should be OK.

[WanderingD]

Sounds like your Canadian friend was doing the exact same thing I'm doing now. Yes, sometimes the hours would be very late indeed, but at other times I wouldn't be doing any trading whatsoever. Have to have a social life, after all.

Still, I couldn't have any morning hours scheduled, though 11 a.m. might be doable. I was thinking that this might be more possible to arrange with a language school, though a uni would probably be preferable. I plan to be coming over within the next month, though, and my understanding is that university work doesn't start until around September.

Feel pretty confident that my MA degree and experience would be more than enough to get whatever visa I may need, but yeah, I'd better check it out to be sure. Really enjoyed the bit of experience I had with the Chinese students in Suzhou a while back--so much more pleasurable than I had in Ukraine or even Turkey. Hopefully they were somewhat the norm...