Job Discussion Forums

spunkmonkey · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 93

Sorry, I meant 450 uk pounds per week after averaging the monthly take home pay (depending on currency rates).

Being from the UK, I am used to calculating per week.

Pelican_Wrath · Joined: 19 May 2008 Posts: 490

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

I still don't quite get it ... why is it like nowhere? Why see it with dread? Because it feels like you're not accomplishing anything? No permanence?

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

d moon · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 53

It's nice to see someone post a reasonable salary because lets face it, even if you are unqualified, if you're in one of the major cities there's no reason you should be making less than 20k. And that doesn't mean scrambling after jobs in crummy schools. (That should occupy your first year Very Happy

). Good luck, and yes, I'm in Shanghai.[/i]

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

d moon,

To get the 20k, what should be doing? One job? What kind of school? Or a couple of jobs, or private lessons, or what?

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

inchinanow · Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 102 Location: China

On the surface, it sounded like a good deal but the devil is in the details. Now that you state you have to put in a 40 hour week including several meetings, it doesn't sound so great after all.

It is the best deal I have found so far. Given the choice of working 40 hours a week for 21,000 or working 10 to 15 hours a week for 7,000 to 10,000 RMB, I'll chose the job that pays 21,000 RMB. I need the money!!!!!!! Laughing

changshaman · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 36

Afroste · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 15

On the topic of salaries, anyone have an idea what a good wage would be in Xi'an? Anyone familiar with the area?

TexasHighway · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 779

Afroste wrote:

d moon · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 53

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

Molson · Joined: 01 May 2009 Posts: 137 Location: China

Mr. P · Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 32

I agree with Molson.

I'd love to meet someone teaching subjects, such as Math, Science and History, at a genuine International school earning 40k rmb per month. Of course, Administrative jobs may pay such figures, but, most of the visitors to this website are not in such positions.

Beyond that, I'd kill to meet someone earning 20k rmb per month for a typical "Oral English Facilitating" position anywhere in China. Some contributors have claimed that that is/should be the norm. I won't argue with that (should) being the norm, but, it isn't. Most folk earn less than 10k rmb for the aforementioned jobs.

Of course, someone living in a major city could pull in such "dosh" with extra hours outside of his/her main employer, but, really, who wants to toil around town for what is basically a pittance when you factor in all of the time spent traveling and most likely 6 day weeks?

20k rmb = almost 2,941 USD per month. That salary isn't bad in the US. It is even better in China considering that most employers provide housing, but, the employers that pay such figures in Shanghai, at least, do not provide housing.

I once earned 14k rmb, possibly 15k with bonuses, per month at Wall Street English, for a 30 classroom hours week. The last thing I wanted to do was "teach" during my time off. After taxes, rent, utilities and commuting costs, I had around 9k rmb to spend. Which was plenty, by the way. I'm not sure about claims that people need 20k to "survive" in Shanghai.

Believe me, I lived/ate well. Call Jim at Mealbay - www.mealbay.com.cn , if you desire western food delivered to you in Shanghai.

Granted, I didn't save much, if that is what you are concerned about. I'd rather die with a full, happy, stomach than a bank account full of money. Everyone is different.

I took a pay cut (13k, 22 classroom hours week) and facilitated conversations in English at a reputable university and had approximately 8k to spend a month. I probably could have "demanded" more, but, the "competition" is fierce in Shanghai, so, the schools there can pay less, just like Molson stated.

I did enjoy the nights and weekends off, as well as the holidays. I was grateful for the base salary that covered my rent during the Spring Festival and summer break. I definitely did enjoy my flight home.

I now call out anyone who is paid more than 15k rmb for a typical "Oral English" teaching/facilitating position, anywhere in China. Please identify yourself/ves. If any surface, I doubt their veracity. Although, I must type, a few of the original members of Wall Street's team in Shanghai garnered such wages. Once the word got out, the salary went down as the hawks began to prey.

According to hearsay, foreign subject teachers (Accounting, Finance & Marketing) at the well-known Shanghai university alluded to above were being paid 18k rmb per month a year or so ago, for their 1st year with the school. Their schedule was much lighter than mine, but, they did have to prepare more and grade homework etc...

Being an atypical "Dancing Monkey", all I had to do was wake up in a cloudy state, turn on my computer, think for a minute or 2 and print a well-worn "lesson plan" 30 times, shower, dress and be on my way.

Either way, I will never agree with the usual "argument" here on Dave's that life "teaching" in China is better than in ones home country.

It may be true that your "dosh" goes further here in Zhonggou, if you live the local lifestyle, but, in my opinion, if you choose to live a western lifestyle in China you will pay more for western "luxuries" and won't have much savings after the fact. Factor in annual pay raises and retirement/pension benefits earned in your native land and wonder what life will/would be like 20 years later here in China.

I'm sure someone out there will claim that they receive "full medical coverage". Perhaps you do, but, most don't. I once worked at a university that claimed to pay up to 1,000 rmb towards any medical costs incurred by me, the employee, after a 500 rmb deductible. Big whoop de doo! They didn't cover ordinary dental teeth cleaning, eye doctor exams etc...

Beyond that, how many out there can truthfully claim that they have received annual raises? Where I "work" now, there are teachers who have been here for 3+ years earning the same as me. We have the same amount of total experience, but, I would love to think that an employer would grant loyalty a bit of cush.

So, the way I see it is this - I can continue working in my "cushy" job, which provides me with around 10k a month (9 months a year) to spend for 2, 90 minute classes a day and hopefully save around 5k USD a year. (Remember, I like to help the local economy. The misers out there could save up to 10k USD a year if they eat rice and noodles every day and don't travel.)

Assuming I become a miser, I could save 10k USD, if that, in China. After 20 years I will/should have 200k USD to retire on. Assuming most certified teachers in their home countries work for 30/35 years before retiring, then I might have 300k to live on the rest of my life.

That's not bad, but, what about a nice monthly pension check? What about medical insurance? What about actually "teaching" people?

I feel that a lot of the contributors to Dave's wonderful website think of themselves as "real" teachers". I wonder what the local born boss thinks of you? How much was your raise last year?

I rest my case.

Is anyone interested in joining me in Vegas? Besides tips, our white faces will qualify for government benefits.

The message above was meant for all of the vagabounds out there.

COCK A DOODLE Di De Do!

Birds of the Feather Flock Together.

Yunqi