Job Discussion Forums

[macroidtoe]

This will be my first time going overseas to teach, and my first real job in the field unless you count the bit of volunteer work I've been doing over the summer. I've had a few offers here and there, but upon further research they all seem to be from employers of questionable repute looking to snag a naive newbie who doesn't know what he's getting himself into.

I've finally got one that I'm seriously considering at a university in Wuhan. I'm not sure if it's considered bad form to directly post the contract in its entirety, so if anyone would be willing to take a look via PM, let me know. Here's a few main points where I've got questions:

1. The pay seems kind of low (4200rmb/month), and I'm wondering if I should ask for more. I have a BA and CELTA, if that provides any target number I should shoot for. (Also: accomodation provided, 8000rmb airfare reimbursement, 2200rmb yearly travel allowance.)

However, maybe this is normal since the weekly workload also seems pretty low: 16 periods x 45 minutes each, plus 5 periods of extracurricular activities, and nothing about additional office hours... plus I get paid for winter and summer break, if I'm reading it right.

2. This part worried me: "Party A will process and pay for the expenses of work visa, foreign expert certificate, medical checkup for Party B once he or she comes to China, but Party B should pay his/her own tourist visa to enter China."

I've read up on this somewhat,, but I'm still not entirely sure I understand the visa situation. Do I have to enter first on a tourist visa, or should I be insisting they have the work visa ready for when I arrive? If I come in on a tourist visa, don't I risk having to leave the country again to get it converted, or however all that stuff works?

3. They cover up to 500 yuan for electricity and water. (Is this enough?) And then I apparently have to pay for my own cable, phone, and Internet.

Does this all sound pretty standard for a university job? It's probably not the greatest offer in the world, but I live frugally, it sounds like it won't be too overwhelming for a first-timer, and I'd really like to just get out there and get some experience already so I can move onto something bigger later on. I'm sort of hoping something from Xi'an or Tianjin shows up since I've got friends in those cities, but Wuhan sounds... er, interesting, and I'm willing to try new experiences.

[dean_a_jones]

Basic observations:

1. Salary is low. If you are frugal (and don't need creature comforts from home in terms of food/goods), you could certainly live on it comfortably in Wuhan. But I don't really see why you should have to. You will get plenty of people here telling you what they think is a good starting salary. For Wuhan, I would say no less than 5,000/month.

Airfare is also a little low. It could cover your flights, but depends on where you are coming from. Travel allowance is normal.

Hours are also about average, though is that '5 periods' a week, a month, a semester, a year? Worth finding out. In terms of breaks, you should get winter pay. Summer is usually only if you are staying and willing to sign an contract for the next year.

2. This happens in terms of visa etc. Some places will pay, some won't. It is not the kind of thing that would make me say no to a job, but something to consider in line with the rest of the contract. It is annoying, as it can cost you 500-1000 in total for it all documents, medical etc. (sorry, I can't remember exact amounts). You really want the work visa, as otherwise you will have to pay for a trip to HK to upgrade (and I am guessing, given they won't pay for anything, this is all paid for by you, could prob claim it as travel allowance). So ideally, you want it sorted by them, before you come. There is no reason they can't, but as it is getting later now, they may push you to come quicker on the wrong visa. Looking elsewhere in this forum will give you all the arguments for and against this.

3. That extra helps (assume it is a month). In a way, that is a bit like getting the extra amount on your salary, as unless you like the extreme heat in the summer or extreme cold in the winter, you can easily use that up on electricity (and Wuhan has long summers and winters, and short mild seasons, and apartments here are not well contructed for the winter weather, as its 'the south', apparently). Water costs next to nothing.

So that is the balance on what you have stated thus far. The main sticking point is the salary, in my opinion a bit too low (even with the 500 extra). Beyond this, it is in many ways an average university contract, not great, not terrible. As for Wuhan, I like it, but it's big, busy, dirty and polluted. Having said that, as it is not a popular tourist destination, people are not constantly trying to sell your terracotta warrior statues on every street corner, which is nice. They assume you live and work (or study) here.

[randyj]

If the school is really offering a twelve-month contract with fully paid winter and summer breaks, then it sounds pretty good.

[macroidtoe]

Thanks for the thorough info dean_a_jones, gave me some stuff to think about. I just looked up my preferred university in Xi'an (where I briefly stayed in 2007), and yikes, unless the information is out of date, it says they only pay 2600 - 3000rmb. Haha, I guess I do remember the dean telling me "Well, unfortunately, we can't pay you much, but we'd love to have you" during that dinner when I expressed my interest in coming back to teach English some day.

[China Guy]

Seems like a pretty standard contract for a first timer. My contract is pretty similar for a uni in Nanchang. I'd look around to see if you could get more but it does not appear to be a terrible offer.

[dharma86]

From a Hubei province perspective... you're lucky to get the extra 200 in your 4200 salary. (Standard is 4000).
The airfare is pretty normal standing at 8000rmb.

PROBLEM is definitely the visa. They should be sending you out the invitation letter to your home country where you apply for the Z-visa. No tourist visa!

[Guerciotti]

[xiaolongbaolaoxi]

afk for "My two front teef!"

XLB

[maotouying]