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SandyG20
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 208
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 Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:09 am Post subject: |
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| I wonder when I take the job if I can offer to rewrite the contract so it makes sense to other foriegn teachers? It seems like they would have done that already. |
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xiaolongbaolaoxi
Joined: 27 Aug 2009
Posts: 126
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| Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:40 am Post subject: No pics? |
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Not getting pics of housing in and of itself is not an issue. However, if you have specifically asked for them and not received them (and you have given let's call it a week to do it), then that is an issue.
The changing pay may be the fun and magic of working with recruiters. But, I knew a teacher who dealt directly with the university, and the dean decided to change the salary after the contract had started. Fun times.
Yes, it's China, but do you really want to be going through this much runaround before you even start with them? Keep looking elsewhere. Classes for fall start soon...
XLB |
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Silent Shadow
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 380
Location: A stones throw past the back of beyond
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| Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:53 am Post subject: |
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| SandyG20 wrote: |
Okay sent a list of my concerns to the main foreign teacher - got back a nice long reply - but none of my questions were answered. The college has ads with several recruiters - which state the airfare as 9800 rmb and travel allowance as 2200 rmb - so I thought that some how the 1 semester contract was accidently mailed - with the 1 year dates on it. Especially since most people here are saying the airfare should be double. I was thinking by term they meant twice - once at the end of the first semester and once at the end of second semester - which I asked of the foreign teacher (whose first language is English). I was very careful to clearly ask the questions I want answered. Now I might expect this response from the Chinese person in charge - I have read contracts can be consider fluid and negotiable on arrival - but I thought the ft would simple say yes or no. Why have ads that say double that? Then half it on a 1 year contract?
I was originally told we could do extra stuff for pay as well - English corners - no mention in there about that either.
I also know I must be careful to stand my ground now - or I could put myself in a position later of being taken advantage of.
Also still no pics of housing and such - keep asking - hasn't happened.
Is the idea that I should be asking for more and they are just waiting for me to do so?
Originally I was also told a higher pay scale - so I am getting concerned.
I have read Daves forums long enough to know that contracts have to be clear and often negotiated. |
You did the right thing in requesting the FT emails, and writing to them.
What is of even more importance, though, is that you receive the answers to your questions from your prospective employer. Even if the FT told you that he had received certain reimbursements from the school, there are no guarantees that your employer will give the same to you. Qualifications, experience and amount of time served at the school, can make a difference to the reimbursements that FTs at the same school receive.
There is nothing wrong with asking for clarification, and expressing your wants and needs. It would also help your case if you applied for several positions at the same time, so as not be tempted to take something you're not really comfortable with. The key is in building a good rapport and trust with the school, before you accept the job.
A good school will appreciate good honest questions from job applicants, because it shows your sincerity in that you want things to work out well. If the school is responsible and looking for reliable, long term teachers, they would not have a lot of faith in an FT who quickly accepted a position, without asking many questions. Such a school would question whether the FT really intended making a serious commitment.
If you can't get clear answers by email, then acquire the school's phone number and talk with the staff in the FAO office. Listening to their response, will go a long way to helping you gauge whether the school is on the level or not. |
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Gilka
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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| SandyG20 wrote: |
| I wonder when I take the job if I can offer to rewrite the contract so it makes sense to other foriegn teachers? It seems like they would have done that already. |
Be careful how you word it. Don't embarass the FAO by saying the contract doesn't make sense.
Try to work with the school without any of the bias from reading too many horror stories. FAOs are human. Sometimes, they're new or disorganized, and don't have pictures of the apartment. As they're often required to be in the office for an excessive number of hours, it might take awhile to get the pictures to you. Are they forthcoming with other information about the housing?
I agree that a lot of your issues are likely related to dealing with a recruiter first, but the airfare thing is still just weird. It is no coincidence that it is exactly half of an acceptable airfare reimbursement.
edited " the contract isn't acceptable" to "the contract doesn't make sense" to clarify my meaninig. |
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SandyG20
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 208
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 1:54 am Post subject: |
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| Yes - I am trying to find a nice way of finding out if "term" means each semester - which is acceptable and more the usual airfare that is offered in other unis. I also wonder if we get extra pay if we teach extra classes or such - not listed in the contract. |
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