Job Discussion Forums

amemorylost · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 29

Hi

I'm quite new to China having escaped from teaching in a Korean Hagwon last month. I kind of became one of those horror stories you read about with some Korean schools, so I'm being a lot more cautious and trying to find out as much as possible before I commit again.

So...

I have an offer from a Chinese college in Yan Jiao, just outside of Beijing. I'll be teaching literature and writing courses(I pushed for this as I'm an English major and an English PHD is my long-term goal anyway, so seemed useful to get some experience with teaching it), get campus accommodation and a pay scale of 5000 RMB for 8-12 classes and 6000RMB for 14-16 classes per week. The money is not hugely important to me and I think this is okay for a first-timer in China when compared to the classes worked.

The only concern I have is that it's about 50 minutes outside Beijing by Bus in a town with a population of around 50,000, so I'm slightly concerned with being 'the only foreigner in the village'.

Anyway, if you guys can give me any thoughts on this job regarding any of the details I mentioned, that'd be great.

evaforsure · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1217

SethinBeijing · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 19

The school next to you, NCIST has many foreign teachers. So you will see others walking around. BUT, you might be one of the few foreigners at your school. There is KFC close to you and the supermarkets are fine in the area.
There is also a large vegetable market there.

Yajiao is not so special, certainly not pretty. You will be watching a lot of DVD's at night when you are free.

There are money machines at the entrance to the schools there.

The bus if fine, direct and runs regularly.

The air is.......about as crappy as in Beijing. I would buy an air cleaning machine in Beijing.

Yanjiao is on the border of Hebei and Beijing. Officially not in Beijing though, they often trick students into coming to the school by saying it is Beijing, but it is not. 100% Hebei

You will spend a lot of time in your own apartment doing lesson plans.

You will not need to spend a lot of money there, things are cheap.

And again, as long as it is not rush hour, the bus is fine.

amemorylost · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 29

Thanks for the advice, I ended up accepting the offer, but I have a few follow up questions that are more to do with standard practice for offers in China:

Is it common that school request you book your flight through a Chinese agent to get verification? It's not a big a deal, it just struck me as strange.

The main thing is that I was asked today if I minded that the contract officially start on July 1st and that I take my summer vacation now, before arriving in China in late August for the start of term. I don't think paying severance is standard for these positions, and the summer vacation is normally unpaid anyway, right? I get the feeling though that it's something I might be missing because I'm not familiar enough with China work practices. I've just come Korea and this is the type of thing that would set alarm bells ringing if it happened in that country.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

evaforsure · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1217

I am just quessing ...but it could have to do with a tightening of procedures due to the 60th.. all of the schools I know were racing to get paperwork in

as far as verifiication .. also could be that they just have one shot .. or the time is near.. but it could also mean ...who knows what..

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Although it's their country, a significant number of these folks know nothing about travelling in it or to it. Book your flight through Elong, for instance. Chinese company with decent prices. It is possible that if you don't do as you are told, they will use it as an excuse to deprive you of your reimbursement.

When I first came here, the school told me to fly into Beijing. They would meet me there. It's an 8 hour train ride back from Beijing. Two or three of them came on the train to Beijing to meet me. We spent the night in a nice hotel and then returned on a train.

Turns out there is a very nice airport 45 minutes out of town with frequent flights to Beijing. Go figure Question

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Just sounds to me as if they want you to commit 100% now (ie sign a contract) but only want you to come when the term starts. I read this as meaning they wont be paying you in the summer months. The 'now' part in terms of contract is just commitment. That is standard I reckon.

Booking through a chinese agent. Are they paying the flight for you? That could be one reason ... if they have suggested an agent, they could a) be looking to take a small commission, or b) just looking to improve their standing with said agent by recommending people.

Again, it could also be that they want to be sure you are coming ... and they can communicate with the Chinese agent to make sure.

I wouldnt worry about the small town. Sounds ideal to me ... I was in a small town for 18 months with very few FTs...no supermarket, no KFC. I prefer that set up to be honest.