Job Discussion Forums

xiguagua · Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Posts: 768

Next week is my last week. what what! I'm so happy, i'll have Christmas off for a change......not like i'm going to do anything special, but the thought of working on Xmas always sucked. The schools told me I could have off if I wanted, but there's nothing to do anyway, so might as well have class.

nomad-ish · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:36 am Post subject: Re: 2012 Holiday Schedule

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

I had all week off this week. Don't know why.

Folks don't answer emails or respond to text messages or answer phones at my school, so I couldn't confirm it or ask why I was scheduled for no classes. Last week, I asked the class monitor about it, and her response was "Hah?"

Cyberkada · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 306 Location: Xi'an, China

First time in my life will be teaching on anything past Dec 21 or so... No Christians here and no family (The other American here at the school thinks Christians are worse than Al Qaeda). Welcome to the SUCK zone... Mandatory Christmas party that we have to PAY for... several hundred RMB I was told was paid last year.... But in 36 or so days, I will be in Boracay, so every thing evens out...

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

For all the newbies (or those still confused about this):

The New Year's holiday is ONE DAY, January 1st. It happens to fall on a Sunday, so schools give us a weekday in lieu (in this case, January 2nd). For some reason, "they" are also making January 3rd as part of the 3-day holiday so they are trading December 31st for it. Don't ask me why they just don't have Dec. 31-Jan. 1-2 as the weekend holiday. Rarely does anything in this country make sense. But all holidays observed in China are either a one-day or a three-day thing. (The National Day holiday is a 3-day, but many people get a full week off in a row, thus the switching around of weekdays and weekends)

Now, some people will post here that they get their Saturday off AND the 3 day holiday and that's fine. I think they are the exception to the rule. At my school, I do have to work on Dec. 31st. It's a 6-day week for my students and the Chinese teachers (Dec. 26-27-28-29-30-31) but only a five day week for me as I get Dec. 26 off because Christmas is on a Sunday as well.

The April, May and June holidays are all one-day holidays, but in order to get 3 days off in a row, they may switch days, esp. if it falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday (and, as you can see, even if it falls on a weekend or Friday or Monday, they may STILL switch things around just 'cause they can!).

** The Chinese New Year/Spring Festival holiday doesn't apply equally to all of us. It will vary by school and what type of school for which you work. Some will get 5 weeks or more, others around a month, others maybe only a week.

jayjjasper · Joined: 27 Aug 2011 Posts: 344

China�s General Office of the State Council released the �Circular on Arrangement of Certain Holidays in 2012 (guobanfamingdian [2011] No.45)� today and announced the arrangement of national holidays in 2012 as follows:

New Year

January 1-3 (three days in total)
December 31, 2011 (Saturday) is an official working day

Spring Festival

January 22-28 (seven days in total)
January 21 (Saturday) and January 29 (Sunday) are official working days

Tomb Sweeping Day

April 2-4 (three days in total)
March 31 (Saturday) and April 1 (Sunday) are official working days

Labor Day

April 29 � May 1 (three days in total)
April 28 (Saturday) is an official working day

Dragon Boat Festival

June 22-24 (three days in total)

Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day

September 30 � October 7 (eight days in total)
September 29 (Saturday) is an official working day

Cyberkada · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 306 Location: Xi'an, China

Nice to know that official schedule... Our FAO told us that our last day was January 14th, to return on February 13th. All 3 FTs here booked and paid for tickets at the same time accompanied by the FAO here and will be enjoying our holidays regardless of any schedule changes they make later.

Silent Shadow · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:38 am Post subject:

Silent Shadow · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:42 am Post subject:

Cyberkada · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 306 Location: Xi'an, China

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

For newbies who have lost the thread on this one use this as a start point
http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2012&country=41
The uni holidays will be 'based around' the red and blue marked days but likely start earlier and end later.
From there the campus grapevine will give you some clues - especially students. They have to buy tickets to get home.
In places I've worked the date may be known to the FAO and others but the college president reserves the announcement to him/herself.
Lesser mortals usurping the great one may be looked up with disfavour.
Students don't feel that 'heat'.
Quite another holiday issue is the weekend work to open up longer holidays for short breaks.

steve b · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 293 Location: China

I can't see that anyone can use the information in this thread as anything other than a rough guide. Each school is different, especially with the longer holidays - I finish up here in two days and will be off until 12th February.

As has been pointed out, your students are often the best source of information! I have gotten into the habit of asking them just after a holiday "when is the next one?"!!!

Cyberkada · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 306 Location: Xi'an, China

steve b · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 293 Location: China

My advice would be to stand firm and either take the original flights or get the money it will cost you up front from the school. You all bought tickets on the advice of the FAO, ergo the mistake is theirs and they should pay.

Cyberkada · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 306 Location: Xi'an, China

thanks... I have to take the original flights or it will be July that I will get to see my family again, cuz i can't afford the new fares. They will have to take or or leave it. One week will be covered by sick days... if they don't accept, I guess my new boss will speak German.