Job Discussion Forums

vgchiang · Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 23

I don't have any teaching qualifications. I'm a recent college graduate, which makes me think this offer is pretty good. I sort of hoped for airfare reimbursement but they say that it's on my dime. Also no healthcare coverage Sad

A'Moo · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:55 pm Post subject:

Odd that they would ask you to teach math and science w/o teaching qualifications. The offer sounds low, especially considering no benefits whatsoever.
Foshan is basically a Guangzhou suburb-been there a couple of times. Not bad by mid-size Chinese standards, nice large open park in the downtown core-through a ball around with a friend there...

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

If you are a backpacker, non-native English speaker, or do not have a degree, it is a good offer.

If you have real qualifications, there are far more jobs that pay much higher salaries.

vgchiang · Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 23

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

You could probably live okay on that but you should take some cash or access to it in case you need to buy a few things yourself or things don't work out. You're not teaching language as such so overall the salary is low but given your lack of qualifications it seems okay and the experience should be of real benefit. 9 months isn't much different from 12 months and anyway if it was 12 moths it could be difficult to get a new job around November time.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

It looks reasonable in that case and I understand and sympathise with your situation.

I would look to Korea for your next contract if all goes well; there are a number of schools that will actually only hire Asian-looking teachers nowadays.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I would think you would live very well on that salary, especially as you are not looking to stay long term. It might not be enough to allow you to eat in fancy Western restaurants every night, but it will be more than enough to allow you to eat in nice Chinese ones every day.

I would be astounded if someone without long term commitments in China found it a struggle to live on 6000 a month. With housing included thats around 200 rmb a day to spend on whatever floats your boat.

Expect to teach English rather than subjects IMO. Perhaps you will be scheduled to teach the science and math majors ... but expect to teach them oral English, rather than teach subjects in English. I could be wrong of course, but I think that would be likely.

Rob Aston · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 15

Nan Hai is a bit out of the way, there is Nan Hai school up there, a big private primary/middle school with foreign teachers. It has terrible food but other than that is well equipped and very nice. 6,000 is at the low end of the scale for this part of China but its very liveable for a single person.

vgchiang · Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 23

This offer is beginning to seem fishy to me. I wasn't even interviewed for the position, and I'm getting very short sentenced replies in my e-mails with the school representative. The school's called (Wonderland?) Foreign Language School Attached to Sun Yat-Sen University. ^ I'm not even clear if that is entirely correct? The woman I've been corresponding with is named Cristle...anyone have any details on this school? There's almost nothing that goes by this name on this internet.

Moon Over Parma · Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 819

Any, "School attached to so-and-so University" means it's a money making scam and you'll be teaching students who would never normally make it to the university it's affiliated with, and you run the risk of not having any actual help from the real, accredited university whose name is probably purchased so they can make money touting an affiliation that really isn't there.

They can definitely afford to pay you more. I guarantee that odds are good that the "Foreign language school attached to so-and-so University," charges double to quadruple the going rate of the actual university, and as a result: you could be paid much more than 6000 RMB.

You'll probably end up teaching students who lack the acumen to properly pass any tests, forget about the gaokao. Many will come from rich families who simply want their kid to get a piece of paper before handing them the reigns of the family business. Some students will be sincere and want to study abroad. Some have no choice and must study abroad because they won't make it in any local institutions. Some will be shit disturbers out to ruin your day at every step, so you should be making more than the average, legitimate, i. e. real university instructor.

My advice is to walk away from this offer and look for better work. That's my opinion.

vgchiang · Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 23

Seuss930 · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 37

IMOP

NEVER take a job in China that doesn't offer a bonus large enough to buy a plane ticket back home.
NEVER work without some sort of basic medical. Now remember, Chinese medical only helps you if you get hurt, none of that sick stuff (unless you stay in the hospital - which i advise against)

One of my jobs is an attached to a uni school and I love it.
two classes
each class 10 hours a week you can do some real teaching with students 10 hours a week -- but they are students that didn't cut the mustard to get into uni

also, this pay is a dime a dozen in china (uni's pay less but i've found teachers are a bit more satisfied - uaually anyway)
I'd keep looking if I were you or try to bargain with them - if they need you, you'd be surprised at what you can get