Job Discussion Forums

[flutterbayou]

Some still haven't picked up on the sarcasm.

EFLers have no solidarity, except here at Dave's. And the TEFl certificate mills keep the wages low, as far as I'm concerned.

What would happen if wages below 16,000 RMB were boycotted by all, and as for ones who defect, we send them out of town on a rail.

P.S. A 10,000 RMB per month wage doesn't go far in Shanghai, unless your rent and utilities are covered. When you live in a dynamic city, water runs through your fingertips like water.

[arioch36]

I was doing some work in a small town the other day, so small, the taxi was only 2 yuan. 10,000 wouldn't be bad in a town like that. No other laowai. I am going to be interested in the effect of stricter visa enforcment.

A ray of hope, I will say more when the outcome is assured.

Lobster (where is he/she) gave us the new labour law contract. I am applying it to my current school. My last contract with them stipulates what they must pay me if the contract is renewed. As expected, they balked at giving such a contract. So I informed them of the new labour law ... if the school doesn't offer a new contract of at least equal value, they must offer you one month severance pay.
The girl in the FAO office tried to say she called someone who said this didn't apply to laowai. My wife called the labour office, who said this law did apply to laowai working here legally. Gave the name and number to the girl at the FAO ofice, her only reply was ?uh, uh, uh, I'll check with my supervisor"

I still haven't gotten this money, I'll let you know.

But what if the school knew that they had to give severance pay for each worker they don't rehire. Do you think it will make a difference in their hiring method?

The main reason I try to insist on a "decent wage" is that I feel you take more seriously what you pay more for

Anyway WW, keep up the good work. But why commute? They don't let foreign teachers sleep on the streets anymore?

Another though, every time I go back to Beijing, and see yet another small house destroyed, yet another "low-middle class" apartment razed to make way for the glorious new tall constructions of galss and steel, my thought was, "Where do all the street vendors and low paid merchants live? Do they all commute 3 hours to work each day?" When i was in Beijing my typical breakfast was three little bread wrap things, with a slice of meat and some greens inside (don't know the name, they don't have them in henan), and a bottly of juice. These people slept in their stores, or with their equally por relatives in some hutong. Where do all these people live now?

[namdak]

Hey William,

Thank you for your nice reply.

Well ... you are still young! and good luck with the position. We all do the best we can..working with these situations. Right now I am out in rural south South Korea, making a good salary with the public schools in incredible rural settings. However, there are always drawbacks to these situations, and in this case it is the isolation and some unhealthy environmental issues. So...as we say where I come from in New England, it is six of one, a half a dozen of another.

Enjoy!

[Lobster]

I'm still swimming around here in Shanghai; looking for a decent contract for the fall term. Of course I have about 4-5 places that say they're interested but are taking their sweet time moving the process along. Thanks for thinking of me and good luck with your negotiations.

RED

[arioch36]

I'm still swimming around here in Shanghai

curious if you know "Tang WoLun" who is back in town (Shanghai)

What is the coolest time to visit Shanghai in the summer?

[theincredibleegg]

Congrats! Seems like you came across a pretty good deal

I got 8000 with housing included in Beijing. I don't think it was all too hard to find.

Anyway, good luck with your new job!

[Mei Sheng]

Based on my understanding - SAFEA "regulations" are merely suggestions, not law that schools must abide by.

[arioch36]

SAFEA is a Bureau, and like any bureau, they have the power to write the regulations that govern what a school and what a laowai must do..

Keep in mind

1)
In China, they must be followed, just like the Chinese law must be followed

2) It is up to the individual to decide to claim his right under the laws and regulations. There is no "OSHA" (an American agency that goes around actually inspecting compliance with feseral laws and regulations

[vikuk]

What a depressing thread - Lobster, who I always assumed was plush and cozy with his company, out and about looking for new work (why aren't FT's with all his experience just head-hunted up) - Arioch being refused a new contract - and WW with all his years in China having to make do with a peanuts job in Beijing. A bit of an EFL Armageddon here - where old-hands can be quickly converted to old cast offs.
And those posters who still can't understand the context of this thread -

[TangWolun]

Vikuk

Over the last 3 years I've had interviews for positions in Hong Kong (N.E.T.), Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan. The min. starting salary for each of those jobs was over A$100,000/annum I missed out each and every time for whatever reason. ......but why would you want the attendant stress and problems associated with dealing with this age group when you can enter into the zone of teacher heaven with these motivated, respectful, well behaved kids in China.

I take your points in your previous posts but I am happy with my deal and I know I am being paid fairly well 'll have savings of $20,000/ year on International School fees too.
Throw on top of that the earnings from privates and far from being "depressing" I feel great! As so many posters have put here before, if you dont like the place or your circumstances go to your favourite computer and get an "e" ticket to another better place.

negotiation.............. - If I can humbly give you a bit of advice, have faith, patience and never foget you're in a different culture with a hugely different set of values.

You cant shut the door on the negotiation process. Your dealing with Chinese people. If you believe you are worth more, sit down calmly and rationally discuss the reasons why you believe you are worth more. Always get a translator to help out - someone you know you can TRUST!

TangWolun.

[Lobster]

I haven't had the pleasure of making Wolun's aquaintance. Although things are a bit shaky on the work front, I'm not too concerned...yet. I'm certain that something will pop up soon. We mustn't become too complacent in our established routines here. Of course, the suggestion to "buy an e-ticket" and wing our way to greener pastures isn't a great option for those of us with houses and families here, and for many in Shanghai 10k per month is really low end. I'm willing to stay low on the sea bed in my favourite crevice until all this Olympic hubbub passes.

Well, it's been 36-39 degrees here for the last few days. I'd say the best time to visit Shanghai would be October unless you like to be broiled.

RED

[vikuk]

Dear Mr Tang,
Please don't get me wrong - there are many reasons why I love living in China - but the EFL business is not one of them.

Remember this thread is not about being a geography teacher in China (after all you how many adverts are there out there for subject FT's) - no this is about how the common-a-garden FT has fared through the evolution of the EFL industry in China!

But anyways if you're happy congratulations - how long have you been working at this new super-duper job - how far does 10,000/month support you and your family in expensive Shanghai, what kind of medical insurance can you get for 3000/year (is this supposed to cover the whole family), don't good family size apartments in Shanghai cost a tad more than 2000/month, how many extra hours are you putting in on this extra work- and those 20,000 savings on international school fees - don't most real international schools charge in excess of 100,000?

[arioch36]

Actually my current school just sent me a message "Have you found a new job yet"
I'll leave you to translate

[TangWolun]

[vikuk]