Job Discussion Forums

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Doc,
when were you last employed in China?
Last year, we had the SARS scare. This had a very negative effect on the whole TEFL business, as you probably know.

In places I don't want to mention right now, hourly wages have come down, elsehwere they have been stagnating at the same level for years. Hourly wages are usually paid at private training centres that hire part-timers. Those part-time jobs are now a lot less stable and lucrative.
Some people are looking for a job for months or longer.

As for training centres, haven't you noticed the changes that have taken place over the years?
When you last were here, you probably taught adult classes within your employer's premises; this is a thing of the past now. I have taught for about half a dozen private employers over the past two years, but each time, I repeat: EACH TIME, they were acting as go-betweens, while I had to commute to their clients' homes or offices and back.
The good private employers will pay you 90% of their income from their private clients and keep the balance; the majority, however, pocket half. That's why so many are still in the business.
HGow do they find takers?
Easy.
These days, almost any middle school wants to hire a Westerner, but by government decree they mustn't. They are free to enlist the service of a private training centre, and that comes at a price. Usually, a middle school pays 8000 or so per month, 4000 of which is your money (for 40 monthly lessons/periods). But wait a minute: there are mid-term exams, and there are holidays: in both cases, you will enjoy time off - unpaid, of course!

That's the current reality. The future holds much else in store. I am not so optimistic about your or my marketability ten years down the road.

Talkdoc · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 696

Teacher Lindsay · Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 393 Location: Luxian, Sichuan

Talkdoc wrote:-

mourningclam · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 20 Location: sunny korea, again

I got this job offer from a teachers college in Zhou Zhou, Hunan province. Anyway, the hirning lady offered 4000 at first and I told her I needed to think about it. Then she emailed back saying they will pay me 4500 and asked me to say yes quickly. Is that normal or positive? Anybody know what the place is like?

Klamm · Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 121

I don't know why I write here. You can call a chicken a dog, or a cat a mouse, or a log a frog; but the chicken is still a chicken, the dog a dog, the cat a cat and so forth. This is China. Talkdoc, chances are nobody will pay for your credentials. Then again, you might be able to find someone who will but in any case moaning about it here won't help.

I'm twenty-something with a BA and earn 6,500 Rmb a month for 18 hours at a Uni in Guangzhou. Nothing special, really. But yes, you'll struggle to find schools to pay you even that. But that's life. Use your credentials where they'll be appreciated and paid for. Sorry to say that although they may be impressed and respect you more, they're not going to pay for it, or I doubt it. I guess you can do your best but look nobody on this board is going to change China for you so stop whining here. You can probably get a job in Taiwan or another place like that. You can get Uni jobs that pay well and that 25 year olds with BA's or without could not get. There are lots of things you can do. Use some common sense. Half of life or more is understanding the real world.

K.

Lee_Odden · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 172

Talkdoc · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 696

Clancy · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 162

They want to lock you in early before other schools get desperate and actually make you a good salary offer?