Job Discussion Forums

China.Pete · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 547

"I've got a BA in English from Colorado State University in the US, a CELTA, and will have 1 year of teaching experience...I'd like to sock away a little money..." -- Master Shake

I've known people working here with doctorates who were making 4,500 Yuan/month (~US$600), and that was after several years and regular pay raises at the same school. While I've no idea what US$1,000 equivalent will buy you in Poland, a typical FT's salary in China will buy you a decent standard of living, but not a whole lot in the way of savings. Most FTs have learned to rely on unused travel allowances paid in cash by their schools at year-end or part-time teaching gigs for that.

Your timing, however, may be more propitious. Some schools will be doing "fill-in" recruiting for the second term through late January. And finding someplace with a dearth of foreigners shouldn't be a problem if you're willing to consider schools outside of the major cities. I can't say how compatible this may be with nightlife, but getting from your campus to the nearest shopping center could yield abundant travel opportunities. Wink

BTW, don't be too surprised if your complaint about the indoor air quality in Polish pubs elicits some humourous responses, in light of the prevailing outdoor air quality in much of China.

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Um, well here in China you can have a good life but in general you won't have a lot of loose money for buying stuff like computers and a car is out.

Money here ranges from 3,000 RMB to 18,000 and perhaps a bit more. As stated most of us get around 4,500 RMB a month especially in the small cities that are cheap to live in. Very few get the big money here. Those that have the paperwork get 4,500 for 12 to 16 hours a week, most that get 8,000 and a bit above are teaching for about 24 hours a week. This money includes a return airfare once a year or close to the return airfare plus accommodation provided you have your paperwork.

If I was back in South Korea I would be getting 22,000 RMB a month plus the other stuff.

Where I work I am the only foreign teacher for the city and nearby area. Population of one million all up. It has it advantages plus disavantages. One thing no spare work locally as the wage level is too low. I now teach in another city for a few hours on the weekend more for interest than the money as it is only paying 100 RMB an hour and I have over three hours of travel to and from.

The level of honesty boss wise would be lower here probally than South Korea and South Korea has mountains everywhere. Workers are good people here and in South Korea but here in the markets I find about half will try to overcharge me but their lives are harder here.

Air here is much the same as South Korea and the Chinese are Fire Cracker mad. My city has over 200 fire cracker shops.

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Just out of curiosity, is it better to find a job online in China or actually go there in person and line something up?

Here in Poland, it seems the good money comes to those who actually 'pound the pavement,' hand out resumes, and haggle with DoS's.

The language schools that advertise jobs online here (like the one I'm working at) usually offer help with accomodation, airport pick-ups, etc. but stick you with a much lower salary.

But money isn't the most important thing in the world. China interests me simply because it is so different from Poland.

Has anyone reading this taught in Eastern Europe and can compare? I'm finding the flow of ESL teachers seems to be from Asia to Europe, and rarely the opposite. There are two teachers at my school who used to teach in Asia - one in Japan, one in Thailand.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

If you have a city like Shanghai in mind then yes come first but if you are open then you will find that you are up for a lot of travel as like the US, China is a big country.

Finding a job up frount lets you see the city and where you are going to live and Dave's board here is always getting stories of country places that people get stuck in industrial sites with nothing to do close at hand. The city where I live has nothing on hand but it is interesting enough for me but my College is moving in a year to a bigger city where they will be 30 k from the center of the city with nothing nearby so I'm thinking it over.

You can get caught either way but as you would know if you have spent enough years in this game.