Job Discussion Forums

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

Hello everyone,

At the moment I am trying to weigh up job options and I would be thankful for your thoughts/suggestions on the following.

English First (Xian)
24 lessons (40 mins).
6000 RMB av.
Shared accommodation - teachers pay utilities.
12 national holidays + 10 paid.

State school (Zhejiang Jiaxng high school)
20 lessons (40 minutes)
6000 to 7000 RMB
Single accommodation - utilities paid by school.
National holidays + 2 weeks paid.

English First (Hangzhou)
20 lessons (40 minutes)
6000-7000 RMB.
Shared housing - teachers pay utilities.
12 national holidays + 10 paid.

There is also a possiblity of working for EF at Chongqing.
20 lessons (40 minutes)
6000-7000 RMB.
Shared housing - teacher pays utilities.
12 national holidays + 10 paid.

Finally would you prefer to teach in a state school or in a language institution? What are the main differences?
Another quick question - does being SAFEA approved mean anything? Or is it a token certification?

Thank you for your advice and suggestions.

Thanks for any advice/input you may have.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

Thank you for the links.

I would prefer a university position, however I haven't seen many advertised, those that I have applied to haven't got back. One person said I was too young (22) and I haven't any previous paid experience.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

A lot of the info in those links still applies whether its a state high school or a state university. The two are not totally dis-similar.

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

This is a no brainer. The Jiaxing High School hands down!. Own accom, no "office" time, many other days off for sports day, exams and extra periods to study for exams. It probably eats into your final month (i.e. if your classes finish on the 12th June, you will be paid the full month, as I can tell you from my experience). You will also have a better Foreign Affairs office in a high school (although not great in many places) and the private enterprises like EF tend to rip you off more to get the extra Yuan for themselves.

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

I am leaning towards that one also, however it may not be possible due to inoculations. I'm due to finish them on the 17th September, they may need someone for the start of September.

I'm having:
Rabies, Japanese encephalitis and cholera. The cholera is one sachet, Jap. Encap. is 2 doses and rabies is 3 doses (0 days, 7 days and 28 days).

I have the 'common' ones due to travel earlier this year. At least it gives me time for the visa/other issues to be sorted.

On a related note, how easy is it to find a reputable hospital/clinic in China, I will need a Hep. A+B booster sometime in the new year.

Thanks again.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

I would never agree to shared housing.
Your problems with other FT's can be much worse than problems with
any Chinese person.

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

I thought you could do all your innoculations in China, including the 3 you mentioned. I did my Heps in a "bush town" in my first year here. Man, it was cheap!! I'm sure you could do the same in any major hospital in Jiaxing.
Also, you could negotiate with your school about a late arrival. They may get you to do extra classes to suit their timetable. It shouldn't be a big problem for you - maybe do an extra 2 classes a week for a couple of months. No big deal. You could try and avoid this as they might be desperate to get someone and will eventually waive that. In fact, push for that!
Do your best to get the High School. Forget EF!!!

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

You only seem to have posted English First positions and a high school one. This is like asking, "Should I eat breakfast or dessert?"

If you want an EF job, then it boils down to location. Read up on the locations in China and decide where you want to live.

Personally, I don't like the idea of an EF job. So, the only choice is the high school one, regardless of housing arrangements.

Miajiayou · Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 283 Location: Nanjing

I knew a lot of EF folks in Xi'an. Most seemed happy. I would never agree to shared accommodation, however. I've known more than a few people who had their skeezy roommate move in some loud, annoying, sometimes thieving Chinese girl within a couple of weeks.

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

I have only had job offers from EF and possibly the state school.

The person from EF Xian who I talked to seemed really nice. I was a bit put off by the shared accommodation, but we'll see. I have a couple more interviews to do yet.

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

Man, you're getting a lot of replies in 2 hours....
A State school is better than a private school in China. In a private school, the rich parents pay to pass their students. The kids themselves know this (money talks in China), so they just muck around and cause trouble. I had lots of headaches with BS classes that had these students. In a gov. school, many students come from poor families and have to work hard to get an education to eventually get good jobs to support their families. They are more conscientious. Many are great kids and you will enjoy wonderful times with them. Language schools have good students (because they want to go there to learn....), but the organisation (like EF) are corrupt and will try to rip you off. More headaches.
Shroob....go the High School.
Don't share accom with anyone. I had this put upon me a few years ago, where a couple from Oz were sharing with me. Great people. We had a lot in common. They from NSW, me from QLD. But.... they abused themselves nearly every evening. They would often get drunk on Baijiu and obliterate themselves. I used to shut myself in my room and read. No fun. I couldn't work out how they would wake up early the next morning to go to class in their condition. Man, they must've been tolerant.
Anyway, good luck shroob. Let us know how you get on.

GuestBob · Joined: 18 Jun 2011 Posts: 270

Sinko · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 349

No, but they acted like apes before 9 o'clock. Man, it was shocking, Bob. I actually videoed the guy one morning at 7am when I got up early to make breakfast. He "woke' from his chair on the balcony and staggered to the main toilet (door wide open) and sat there for .... what, 30 minutes, then got up and eventually made it to his bedroom as I was about to leave. He didn't even know I was there for the whole time...completely oblivious to what was going on around him.
*sigh* One of life's experiences.

Miajiayou · Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 283 Location: Nanjing

Regarding EF Xi'an, I know they moved two people who had problems with their roommates. This was in 08-09.

If you're interested in the city, which you should be because it is awesome, most of my friends actually worked at Aston and enjoyed it. They didn't LOVE the job, but it was easy and they got paid (too little) on time and didn't have to deal with too much drama. Also, there were good reports on Web. I worked for a university and wouldn't wish the job on my worst enemy, but I could give you the name of a few good ones if your start date becomes more flexible.