Job Discussion Forums

reality · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 105

I would love to teach in China, but have one reservation. The Salaries I have been offered, have been between 3500 - 8000 per month.

Would this cover the cost of supporting myself and my non-Chinese partner. Considering any salary over 6000, was for work in Shanghai,
and after looking at expatriate websites on Shanghai. This figure looks like it would not cover the rent.

pattyflipper no more · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2003 3:38 am Post subject:

The 8000 should be enough depending on your lifestyle, but any resonable contract in china, from what I have gathered, should included a place for you to stay. So with that said, you should not have to worry about rent.
Cody

Jed · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2003 3:47 am Post subject:

I think it really depends on where you are planning to work. I am teaching in Qinzhou, Guangxi and am earning 3500 for 16 classes, accom, etc... Guangxi is very poor and the cost of living low. 3500 is in relative terms very good money down here and I am able to live very comfortably. In Shanghai, Beijing or HK, 6000 or higher may be more appropriate.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Like anything, it depends. Are they providing your housing? How many hours a week? I would rather teach at a college in Beijing for 5,550, teaching 14 hours, housing provided then at a language school in Beijing for 14,000. The college is the better deal. 3,500 is certainly standard for most colleges, 12-16 hours. What bennies are they offering?

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Location is important, but:
- In most places your employer must by law provide housing; this is rent-free!
- You must state the number of hours per week! The higher the salary, the more you probably put in labouring away. This is particularly true of private outfits.
- And you should tell us what kind of school you re interested in because privates won't pay you many holidays, and they are more likely to rip you off (airfare, work visa etc.).

If you are housed by a school, 3500 is good virtually anwhere although it is pocket money for you to spend on a pub crawl!

ChinaLady

teaching 10-14 hours a week, making 5,000 and having a decent apartment, , , , is a great deal. note: decent apartment near the school, fully furnished (this means linens, pots pans, dishes, drapes, rugs, etc.), and all utilities paid, except long distance phone should be included. do not let the school nickel and dime you for the utilities, , , and ask for Internet access. and ask for water deliverey, weekly. believe me you do not wanht to be hauling home water in the summer, or the winter for that matter. check out the flat. if it is a dump - tell them it is a dump. the Chinese professors do not live in dumps, only the university workers do, and the migrants. not that you want a western furnished place (forget that unless you are working for GM, etc.) but you want clean, air con, heat, hot water on demand, and, and, walking distance to school. forget western television. CCTV 9 is it. but you want to be safe and comfortable. remember you will leave a lot of stuff in that flat while you are at school, and the school will have a key. you would like to come home and your laptop is still there. right? and the cd player? and the vcd? be firm. smile. note: if you do not complain UP FRONT, they will walk all over you. smile, smile. be firm. smile.