Job Discussion Forums

[Yu]

I am looking at moving to Shanghai in August and I have a few questions.
I want to get a job at a university, and I have a MA in TESOL.

1. Many of the jobs offered say you teach about 16- 45 min classes per week. Is this 16 different groups of studens or the same students a few times a week. How many different classes is this-- how many different classes need to be prepared for?

2. What kinds of classes are usually taught by foreign teachers? Pronunciation, Speaking and Listening, Reading, Writing, Grammar?

3. What kind of materials are avaliable to the teacher? Does it make sense to send a box of books that I am currently using to teach classes in the US? Is access to copiers redaily avaliable.

4. Is medical insurance and Chinese lessons usually part of the contract?

5. What kinds of medical insurance are avaliable in China, can you direct me to any websites (in English or Chinese)?

What kinds of questions should I be asking when I get a job offer?

In addition to Shanghai Foreign Langauge Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University, and Fudan University, which other schools have a good reputation in Shanghai?

Are there any universities in Shanghai that treat their teachers exceptionally well or allow them to be more of a teacher and less of an entertainer?

Thanks,
Teya Yu

[Gonzo]

1. This will vary. Often you'll find you are teaching the same thing to several different classes. It probably depends on levels: 3 first year classes and 3 second year classes MAY equal two lots of prep.
2. Mostly oral, but I do reading and composition too. Some teach literature and Western culture. But with small groups, you'll probably be teaching oral English, which is essentially what most of us do.
3. Bring your own resources to copy by all means, but most of us make do with local materials. There's quite a lot on the net too.
4. Usually. Not always. Insurance will be the local kind and not cover evacuation and western standard hospitals, which do exist here: ask Rhonda.
5. Local insurance can be bought easily once you're here. No websites I know of. You can ask these questions on www.expatsh.com which has a help desk, and lots of stuff for new arrivals.

PS Semester begins at the start of September. Don't delay if you want a decent job.
There's a sticky on one of the China forums that takes you through the contract process. There are plenty of decent places to work at here. I recommend sticking to state schools. I was seriously interested in the SILC program [English, not business teaching] at Shanghai U: which offers the sorts of things you talk about, but family obligations are taking me home. They're running an ad. on Daves job board at the top of this page. Also, they're not afraid to employ ABCs, BBCs; a refreshing change.