Job Discussion Forums

[Hansen]

This has been discussed before. There is supposedly a law which limits FTs to five years in China; however, I have heard that many FTs have been here much longer.

Some may be married to local ladies, which changes the rules of the game. I'd be interested in hearing how many FT's who are not married to Chinese women have been in China more than five years.

Which provinces, if any, are enforcing the five year rule?

[dharma86]

I thought it was 5 years at the same place?

[mike w]

Been here 15 years - 8 in Tianjin and 7 in Beijing.

I have heard of such a rule that is SUPPOSED to exist in the backwaters, but have never met anyone who has had the rule enforced on them.

I suppose it could be used as an excuse if a school wants rid of an FT who is coming up to the end of a 5-year stint.

[svrart]

I have been in China 6+ years, longest for 3 years in one place though.

Sridhar

[Laoshi1950]

I've been in China for eight years - just started my ninth year.

In previous years I've worked in universities in different provinces - 1 year Nanchang (Jiangxi), 2 years Wenzhou (Zhejiang), 3 years Wuhan (Hubei), and now beginning my third year in Beijing.

And, I am not married to a Chinese citizen!

[chengdu4me]

With few exceptions, all rules, laws, and policies are open to negotiation. The only way any laws or policies are enforced is if the person that is handling your paperwork actually knows that the policy exists. That can generally be considered doubtful. Very, very few Chinese "clerks" know their jobs and all the policies and laws, regulations that pertain to it. The term "paper pusher" can be applied religiously to Chinese government clerks.

I have found that most all Chinese clerks to be very cheerful and helpful, but ask them a question that is not one that they answer 15 times a day and they have to go find the answer or they just tell you "Yes!, cannot do that"

To the OP original question, as I was told by a Dean of a University, the five year rule applies to publicly funded schools. They also have a rule that you can't teach past your 61st birthday. He said to get around both of the rules, they just hire them part time (you know, part-time...only 15 1/2 hours a week instead of 16???)or they contract through a private school for the teachers services. He said the other way around it is to classify you as a "Professor". That brings a whole new level of "expert" to the table and no one would dare turn down your application. Then he laughed and said.. this school is full of Professors!!! .I haven't been here that long, so ask again in five years when I have been here five years and will be 60....

[YankeeDoodleDandy]

Six and a half years. Three and a half in Hefei, Anhui and three in Xi'an. I'm just starting my fourth year in Xi'an. I'm not married and I'm 60 years old. My girlfriend is 23 years old !!! Only kidding !!! I'll tell you next year. I hope to teach for at least until I'm 62 years old and then possibly move to Dali in Yunnan when Social Security kicks in. I went home this summer for one month and I can't afford to retire in California and I wouldn't want to retire in Arizona.

[chinatwin88]

I've been in china since christ taught at EF and neither one of us has ever witnessed any teacher getting the boot for being to old. To old and creepy, yes, but just old; No.

[Molson]

Sometimes the age excuse is used to get rid of the creepy. The guy whose classroom I have is once such case.

[Hansen]

Yankee Doodle,

What kind of plans do you have regarding a visa in Dali? Visas, for Americans, are very expensive there. They are only good for 30 days. May be able to renew three times max, for a 90 day total.

This is what I have been told. Any brighter information?