Job Discussion Forums

KnockoutNed · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 87

Position in Xian:Language School

Work 5 days a week from Monday -

Sunday (6 days during peak season)

Working hours may be scheduled from
08:30 to 21:30 Monday to Sunday. May
be required to work mornings and
evenings on the same day.

6000 : first 4 months
6500 : 5-8 months
7000 : 9-12 months

Up to 24 Contact hours per week - 100

rmb per hour for overtime

If 1 year contract is completed school

reimburses round-trip flight

Shared Accomodation (teacher pays for

all utilities)

Position in Shenyang
University - 4 month Contract

4500 RMB

18 contact hours per week. No overtime is required
Teachers may leave campus in between classes
Work Schedule is Monday - Friday

Apartment to myself - School pays all utilities
Car on business

Position in Zhejiang

Language School

5500 RMB (250 hr for overtime)

Teach 5 days a week
Airfare reimbursement after 1 year.

Less than 20 classes a week (each class is 40 minutes)

Accommodation (Teacher pays all utilities)

All three schools provide the same Holidays. I'm leaning towards taking the University position since its a short contract. I'm teaching in Thailand now so I think it would be a good way to transition.

ttorriel · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 193

What are YOUR thoughts?

KnockoutNed · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 87

I don't think any of the offers are great by any means. Kinda disappointing but my thoughts are:

Take the job at the university and search for something better while I'm actually out there.

What are YOUR thoughts??

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

university jobs are usually a safe bet, esp. for a first timer to china. the salaries are usually lower than the other options but the free time is more and the hassles usually less.

i would never take shared accommodation.

with plenty of free time you can look for other part time work to increase your income, if you want.

KnockoutNed · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 87

thanks for the input Cleric

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

you're welcome.

you're right, the offers aren't great, but they're pretty much standard fare for china.

once you make the transition to this country, you'll be able to network yourself better, find better jobs and better places to live, and make major improvements to your life here.

but for a first job in china, esp. short term, nothing wrong with the uni job up above.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Id agree with the above too. Ideal chance to test the water. The 4 monther sounds good to me. The downside might be visa issues, and the likelihood the contract will expire in the summer, meaning you may have to leave the country for those visa issues.

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

Xian: Yuck; mostly because of shared accommodation.
Shenyang: Teacher may leave campus between classes? Is that supposed to be a selling point?

KnockoutNed · Joined: 03 Dec 2009 Posts: 87

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

If you WANT to be convinced to take the offer, by all means take it! But seriously, "the teacher may come and go as he pleases"? That's kind of like "may go to the toilet any time you need to"; no, too flip, but it does smack of taking note of the obvious. I know, it was written by a foreign speaker, I've seen a lot of odd "perks" in job ads.

thefuzz · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 271

I agree: take the uni gig, see if you like China and look for a better job in country...plus Shenyang is not that bad a place to stay for a few months anyway.

kukiv · Joined: 13 Dec 2009 Posts: 328

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

make your life easier - avoid jobs with split shifts Idea

vexed · Joined: 12 Jan 2010 Posts: 13

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

At least you have three offers. From another thread, it sounds like some people are now having trouble finding anything due to the economy.