Job Discussion Forums

breacan · Joined: 10 May 2011 Posts: 49

Well, now I am considering two positions: one in China, one in Taiwan. Taiwan is at an international school where I'd be teaching subject matter relevant to my degree. Now I'm really confused!

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Is the remuneration even comparable? Certainly in PRC FTs in international schools teaching subjects earn way more (like 3 times) than the humble native speaker type.

breacan · Joined: 10 May 2011 Posts: 49

The international school pays $24,000 US per year, no housing allowance or any additional besides flights. I received a good recommendation from the teacher I contacted at the university, and read some pretty terrible reviews at ISR of this other school. So I'm not sure.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

The top international schools in China remunerate way better than that, both in straight salary and other perks.
Then again they seem to go for experienced teachers - I'm talking 2+ years and home country certificated or registered.
I'll PM you with an international school details in the Guangzhou area. No reason if you start at the uni that you can't pay a visit to the Int School and see what happens for second year or later.

igorG · Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 1473 Location: asia

Now, that's pretty nice from a poster on forums.

OP, be aware that there are international schools and fake international schools. Either way, you may get paid but the terms and conditions are to watch out for.

As for the salary in Guangzhou area, i'd say that it is important to know where in Guanghzhou or surrounding area. Downtown is expensive, 20 miles away means about 15 % lower living costs, 40 miles about 30 % lower to compare to Tianhe, for example.

Good luck

breacan · Joined: 10 May 2011 Posts: 49

igorG - the international school I'm talking about is one I found through Search, where I am registered. So hopefully it isn't fake.

Now I have a third option and will be deciding between the three.

Josef K · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:06 am Post subject:

igorG has a good point about so-called International Schools.

I have friends that work in I.S from Korea to Malaysia and the thing they all have in common is a contract with LOTS of perks, especially if the salary is low. I'm talking housing allowance, meal allowance, clothing allowance, amenities allowance.... This is the hallmark of a true I.S

For someone just starting in this industry, you need the easiest job possible and you want to work for people you feel comfortable with, who won't jerk u around. The money and the location should be secondary concerns.

Good luck.

kimo50 · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 119 Location: Guam

Salary is much too low. Canton is a high cost locale. I also have an MA in history and earn double that teaching in a third tier city included meals, medical, apartment, airfare, and EOC bonus. At 5500 you won't be happy. Talk to them or look elsewhere....you can do much better. JMHO

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

I'm in a similar situation. Guangzhou also. 6500 a month, airfare, etc. I've tried and just don't see how you can get your foot into colleges in China without settling for a similar rate. Like everywhere else- network when you get there!
I have a couple of decades of experience but no MA, but I'll be starting mine in GZ. You won't starve- housing provided, food is cheap. I'll be studying all of the the time anyway. Unless you're a big socialite, it seems like an OK salary to get started on, though I did read recently that the 'average' person in the world is a Han male and makes 17,000 USD a year, which is higher than us! I guess the world on average is doing better than I thought or the gap is much bigger than I'd already dreadfully imagined. D :

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

If you are still considering the 5.5 offer I would try to negotiate a higher salary. The worst they can say is no. I would say something like "According to my research 8k is a much more typical salary for someone of my qualifications, and I do not think I will be able to live the comfortable American lifestyle I am used to on any less than 8k."

If they offer back anything 6.5k and up I would take it, personally.

The worst they can do is say no, and then you are still free to accept the initial offer.

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

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

If you were to DEMAND a higher salary that might be seen as haughty, but MR Buttkins suggested NEGOTIATE a higher salary.

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

El Chupacabra · Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 378 Location: Kwangchow

Truth is you can live pretty well in Guangzhou with a free apartment and only 5k month, if you're singe and willing to eat in restaurants without pictures on the mienus. That is, if you are willing to learn some Chinese and try to eat some of the local foods you'll save a bundle.

The travel allowance you've been offered can make a big difference, though. I started at more than 6k/month at SCNU with a masters, but without the travel allowance. I'm close to 7 now but the apartments are nice and location is awesome. Since I have a family to support the extra couple K makes a difference.

Just to get settled in to Guangzhou, you may want to start there and then line up somewhere else for your next contract. I've heard Sun-Yatsen offers around 8k for a masters , but I haven't verified this.

DosEquisX · Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 361

I got an offer from this university (same one as OP). But since then, I haven't heard a peep from them. Nobody answers the phone at the FAO and none of my e-mails have been answered.

I figure that the jobs available are already taken, but you'd think that there would be somebody answering the phone or somebody answering e-mails.

Shame because I really wanted it.