Job Discussion Forums

[yeswereserious]

Hi everyone, I'm new here, and to the whole game of ESL teaching internationally. I received my first offer the other day, for a kindergarten job in Xi'an. Salary is reasonable, though not amazing at 5000-6000RMB, 24hrs/wk.

Our conundrum is this: if we're keen to go to China, should we take any decent offer, or hold off and expect to select from a decent pool of locations/salaries? We're going through a placement agency...

Any advice whatsoever is appreciated, whether it be about contracts, living in Xi'an, etc.

Thanks

[LanGuTou]

One piece of advice:

Go to the websites of placement agencies, look for the posts that look promising then do a Google search to figure out who they may be (the website may not state the institution's name but a little common sense and intuition normally results in an accurate outcome).

Then apply to the institution yourself. Cut out the middleman. They are no use. The only people that benefit from using them is them (and sometimes also the recruiting party). But definitely NOT YOU!

[yeswereserious]

The agency I have signed up with is based here in Australia, run by Australians, with a branch in Shanghai. They were endorsed by the academy I studied TESOL with. Are the 'middlemen' you talk about Western agencies or Chinese?

The main reason we are inclined to go through them is that this is our first time, we have a young family and would prefer to have someone with know-how behind us.

I have had some discussions with China directly (one school, one agency), and in the case of the agency, the job description is basically a template, with only the name of the city or salary changed for each advertisement.

I understand that there is a business relationship between school and placement agency, but I had presumed that for our first contract it may be the safest bet.

[LanGuTou]

To be frank, I am talking about Chinese agencies and a whole host of people that purport to be legitimate recruitment agencies.

The one you're dealing with might be fine. I just think about the likes of Angelina's et al. and think "What is the point?".

Worse still, there are notorious characters like Frank Zhang who would, no doubt, shaft his own mother for 1元. Frank is not alone in his kindness and generosity. There are plenty of others. I am reluctant to say as bad as him, but who it would definitely be wise to avoid like a dose of pig flu!

[thefuzz]

I would also advise to do the legwork yourself and not trust blindly what the agencies tell you (even though they are based in Australia and were recommended by the place where you got the TEFL). I would even venture to say that the TEFL institution will get a nice cut if you sign the contract with this agency and the agency itself will mostly likely get money from your monthly salary, so it's much wiser to do everything yourself even if it's your first time.

Yeah, China can be scary for new teachers, but at the end of the day signing a contract directly with the school is going to make matters smooth. You never know what these recruiters are cooking up and it might taste mighty bitter once you do find out (especially since you're coming over with family). I myself would feel much more secure talking/signing a contract directly with a school...but that's just me.

Anyway, this recruiter might be different, but in all my years in China I have never met a recruiter who really cares about the teachers they bring to China...it's all about getting their cut and doing as little work as possible.

Just beware and read contracts carefully before you sign your name on the dotted line.

[yeswereserious]

Oh okay. I guess all the Visa and Health Insurance stuff seems like it requires alot of research and I was comforted by the fact that our agent would at least know what was the best option to chose in regards to them.

Hmmm... Where do you generally glean your jobs from then? Just various postings on the internet?

[thefuzz]

[yeswereserious]

[thefuzz]

In China when visiting a Chinese state-run hospital you have to show up early (like 5 or 6 AM) and stand in a long "line" to register yourself to see an actual doctor. There is really no line to speak of, most Chinese just run at the window and push and shove each other until everyone gets what they need...hospital registration papers. And, no, it's not free to see a doctor (and depending on the health insurance you have, in most cases you pay first and get reimbursed later). Also, most of the health insurance offered by schools is good only in government hospitals.

Next option would be to go to a private more expensive Chinese hospital. The lines will be shorter (you'll still have to wait a bit, though) and usually there is no need to show up before the break of dawn to register. My health insurance given to me by the school does not include being treated in private hospitals, so when I do visit one I have to foot the bill.

So, yeah, healthcare is often the problem for many and since you have kids I would suggest living somewhere like Shanghai or Beijing or any other more developed city that does indeed provide private western-style healthcare. Just my opinion.

As for cities where you can live comfortably with a family and a place that has lots of parks and so on I would suggest the following: Hangzhou, Suzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Chengdu, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Chengdu. Like I wrote before Xi'an is not the greatest place in China, so don't take the first offer given to you...just Google "teach in China" and look through as many websites for jobs as possible (and contact the school directly).

BTW: Here is a link to a story about hospital treatment in China:

http://www.chinasmack.com/pictures/chinese-waiting-hospital-crowds/

Cheers.

[yeswereserious]

Yikes - thanks, thefuzz. Food for thought. Scary food for thought.

It's nice to know we are heading in the right direction in considering Chengdu at least. We weren't that fussed on Xi'an after putting a little research in.

[yeswereserious]

I was just thinking, here in Australia we have small doctor's surgeries and the larger hospitals. If my child needs antibiotics I just go the the small surgery, if they have say, a broken bone, I would need to go to the hospital. In China, if I simply needed antibiotics, would it still be a case of needing to be seen at a large Hospital?

[drjtrekker]

IF u have children I think it very wise to consider what thefuzz says.
Big city, Western docs...thats what u need, along with insurance.
Then u will be okay. I wouldn't consider any other option if i had kids in China (this is just based off of my own experiences so far).
Probably a big tiered city with lots of expats...that would seemingly ensure some good options for u.

Uni insurance is crap. I have yet to be reimbursed for anything.
Docs and hospitals not so great.

Last year, broke the ankle. Not caught on x-ray (still can't run).
Last year, food poisoning. Sent home after all day IV's...
Had to go back. still was deathly sick, yet they sent me home! ha.
Took another week before i could eat again.

This year(right now), some kind of lung infection.
First week, they told me i had tonsillitis. I have NO tonsils! ha.
Second week, on IV's...really no difference yet.

I think i have finally learned my lesson, but when ur real sick and ur a ways from the western doc, whaddya gonna do?
Best to have the western doc close.

YES, i am a WEAK man! hehe...but DAM, it seems the meds and docs are hit and miss where I am.
I must say though, i am in a small city by Chinese Standards.

Just my two jiao.

[thefuzz]

[Moon Over Parma]

Xi'an: great city, usually crap pay. Quality of life there can be great, but the salaries on offer for private work and for regular work are always low.