Job Discussion Forums

[Ariadne]

In China, many of the jobs are at universities. You certainly qualify. Just as Glenski mentioned regarding Japan, university students in China seem more like middle school/high school kids back home... without the disciplinary problems. You and your husband could both teach at the uni level. Pay is not great but you could probably find something fairly decent. There isn't much upward mobility, so your salary won't change significantly. Many schools will offer a small yearly increase. Some schools pay teachers for the month of August if they sign up for the next year. If you live in campus housing the school might agree to pay a housing allowance to one of you, but don't count on it. Do a search on the forums for University jobs in China.

It seems strange to me, but many of the 'better' schools in China pay lower salaries than other, less prestigious schools. If you're a brand name kind of gal, you probably won't make as much money. I only mention this because I have a friend who made a switch to a top 10 uni this fall. He reports that overall, the problems and students and classes available for foreigners to teach are very similar.

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[thatsforsure]

I'm going to private message you with my ideas. Basically, I think you'd make more money overseas as an editor than a teacher.

[coledavis]

Yes, I'm inclined to agree. I get offers of editing work; e.g. a company has its web pages translated by a local and then the firm wants it proof-read by a native speaker. If you're in a major city, particularly a capital, this could well be a goer if you advertise your experience and qualifications.

[thatsforsure]

That work is available, and the right person with the right approach could probably capitalize on it. But I was thinking more of working for China Daily etc. From my point of view, editing things for locals is often more trouble than it's worth because they give you such crappy material and want you to work wonders on it for next to nothing.

[Non Sequitur]

[Yellowrose]

Thanks everyone for the information and advice. I may or may not be going alone. It all depends on the stars and how soon my daughter gets on her own after uni graduation (financially). My hubby will be staying at his company in the US for 2 more years, but there are these things called airoplanes and Skype... I want some hands-on experience so that I can continue working until 65 as something other than a cube monkey - and see some of the world!

[Non Sequitur]

Ariadne is right and in addition some cities are seen as being desirable and they collude on keeping salaries low. Qingdao is one such but you're still in the 5000RMB to 6000RMB area.
Look for the other parts of the package such as accom on campus, all teaching at same locale, contact hours, paid winter break and airfare refund or substantial allowance.
As others have said do you get paid for July and/or August if you sign for another year?
Although low on the food chain in status obsessed China, I found vocational students most rewarding. Often the first in the family to attempt a tertiary qual they seem more honest. If they're going into hospitality work for example, they can see that decent English is the difference between a 5 star job or a budget chain.

[thatsforsure]

Be careful about a Western husband in China. Best to leave him home. The Chinese women are quite mercenary and will not feel the least pang of guilt about mate-poaching.