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eslstudies

Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden
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Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Classic bait and switch, Timtastic. They advertise an "unreal" job, tell the suckers who apply "bad luck, but we have these very attractive positions" [which they've been otherwise totally unable to fill], and sure as hell some sucker will bite. |
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jwbhomer

Joined: 14 Dec 2003 Posts: 876 Location: CANADA
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Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:20 pm Post subject: Foundation courses |
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| timtastic wrote: |
In the mean time, the same contact has offered me another teaching job that I'm not at all interested in (4100 RMB/month, 8 hours a week).
If more info helps, it's a state uni job in Beijing in a program that sends students to the US (maybe Canada). There are 30-ish students in a class, housing is provided. |
That sounds like a "foundation course". If you search here you'll find a lot of negative comments about teaching such courses. I had to do that my first semester in China and found it a real chore.
A further problem would be existing in BJ on 4100 RMB/month, even with accommodation provided. And 8 hours a week is about half-time for a Chinese university. Fair enough. You work half-time and you get paid half-salary. But what are you supposed to do with the rest of your time?
If I were you, I'd keep looking for something better.
PS - "Mean time" should be one word. |
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flutterbayou

Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 244
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 3:33 am Post subject: Re: Foundation courses |
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[quote="jwbhomer"][quote="timtastic"] In the mean time, the same contact has offered me another teaching job that I'm not at all interested in (4100 RMB/month, 8 hours a week).
Timtastic, let's zoom in on these hours. 4100 is not at all bad for 8 hours a week.
You could tell them that you'd take the job for more hours - say, 32 - and negotiate housing with it. In the meantime, you'd be in Beijing, hitting the streets in your free time, looking for a full time job, while you gain some hands-on experience.
There's no accurate means of second-guessing, or quantifying salaries of anonymous organizations.
One caveat: If you take this 8 hour per week gig in Beijing, be certain that you are covered for the visa and foreign expert certificate. Don't pay for them yourself, and have them pay for your health physical. |
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vikuk

Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 4:14 am Post subject: |
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| Also, if you were ever to take that type of job, make sure those 8 hours are 8 hours - these kind of jobs also have that problem of expanding on the hours scale (will you please take over from a sick Ft, or one that gone home to vist a sick mother - type story) but with a salary rise that doesn't equate in a favourable way to original pay/hour rate (they may pay you less/hour for the new hours - in some dire cases if they feel they can get away with it - nothing at all)!!!! This is also a classic trick - and it works quite successfuly with some newbies!!!! Some devious employers will also get you to sign contracts where it's ok for an overtime rate that is less than your normal working hours rate!!!!!!!!!!! |
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therock

Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:41 am Post subject: |
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| I think 4100RMB for 8 hours is great. Just think if they provide housing, you would have so much free time to supplement your income with part-time work. |
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jammish

Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:10 am Post subject: |
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| Yes, I think I'd bite someone's hand off for 4100 for 8 hours. If I were single/without wife etc, that is. |
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timtastic
Joined: 05 Oct 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Beijing
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:33 am Post subject: |
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| nevermind this |
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latefordinner
Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:26 am Post subject: |
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Jammish, are you still in the KaiFaQu/KentuckyFriedQuarter? Yes, in and around DL 4100 for 8 is a nice part time gig, one that could easily be supplemented to make a very livable income. I'd be happy. Considering that my regular job is just under 5000 for 16, a total of 9000 for 24 hours would be just fine. (That's what I was on last year) BJ however is a different market, Tt's mileage is certain to vary.
Eslstudies, I was thinking the same thing |
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flutterbayou

Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 244
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Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:09 am Post subject: |
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Timtastic..... never mind this (?)
Perhaps some error in the figures? Never mind.
I just want to commend you for having this gutsy spirit that told you, "Go China or bust!" It is actually awesome, watching you travel about looking for the job that suits you, and in person. It took me a couple of messages to realize that you were here and not applying for positions online.
Please keep us all updated on your adventures, as I get the feeling your audience here is rooting for you. I am  |
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arioch36
Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589
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Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:35 am Post subject: |
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| If more info helps, it's a state uni job in Beijing in a program that sends students to the US (maybe Canada). There are 30-ish students in a class, housing is provided. |
Oh, the "international college, of all students who flunked the national exam and now their parents pay mega bucks to the uni, and are promised lots of laowai teachers. Worse type of students I have ever taught with, and worse departmental management, usually |
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