Job Discussion Forums

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Please stay on topic.

The topic is not about women in various countries.

If it were, it would be deleted just as two postings commenting on such a topic have also been deleted in the last couple of minutes.

Some of our members find such comments offensive and while there are boards that permit them, this is not one of them.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=76122

[mrwslee003]

MOD EDIT
Comments on their feelings about the opp sex really "cheapens" this forum. Its
tacky and does not belong to "education". It also diminishes the "professionalism" of the writer as a teacher, a standard holder in the community!

[mat chen]

I think people need to look at things thru Chinese eyes. Foreigner comes to China paying their own way. Now this never used to be the case in any country, but now it is the case. The foreigner is supplied to the school thru and agent. The agent is only responsible to get the foreigner to finish a month so they can get a commission. Usually the FAO gets a commission from the school. Volunteer teachers can reap in 5,000 rmb for and FAO. So you don't stay or return to your country. The school is out nothing.
MOD EDIT You can find these things anywhere in Asia. What about the right to do a good job? Be paid up front for your expenses?

[smutbagdisco]

Like anywhere, some jobs work out and some don't.

If you have the chance, come visit the school before you sign up. Learn as much as you can about the school, watch and pick the minds of the other foreign teachers at the school, make sure you have realistic expectations about life in China before you leave.

[CJD]

if you're worried about being f'ed over, just ask the school to give you the e-mail addresses of 2-3 teachers who are currently with the school. this is the best way to find out about the quality of the housing, the location of the school within the city, whether or not the school has ever tried to screw over its foreign teachers, and any other concerns that you might have.

if the school won't give you the contacts of other foreign teachers, you can take your chances or just find another job.

but really, if you get a job at a decent university there shouldn't be any problems. even if they don't treat you that great or whatever, you're still only teaching 12-16 hours a week so it can't be that bad.

[El Chupacabra]

[A'Moo]

[cormac]

[melmoth]

What about a situation in which you become valuable to your employer? Like an attentive, well-dressed, sober kindy teacher who draws in new students?

[AussieAtLarge]

If an employer screws you in China, hang those *beep* out to dry. Lawyers in China are cheap and the labor boards will help you if you have your paperwork in order. Come to China to make money and get out. Do not hesitate to fight for whatever is yours rightfully. If they squawk too much haul them into court.

[xzbakbook]

i have spent a great deal of the time reading this and I think a BIG part of the problem with how FT's are treated are due to the fact that most FT's are wholly unemployable in their home country. You know the type I am talking about 56 years old, maybe junior (2-year) college experiance, severe mental and emotional issues (and before anyone gets angry, I am not talking about you specifically ) I was at one company where a above mentioned type of lowa tried fighting me and when I realized nothing would be done I left (a mere 5 minutes after the attempt to fight me).
The truth is China has become the new Korea. Teachers who no longer qualify to work in their native countries come to China because the standards in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand disqualify them from getting a WP.
The schools are acting accordingly. I worked at an "elite" school once and had to explain to them that just because my coworker was emotionally distraught and mentally unbalanced and unable to find work outside China did not mean I was. They continued to be clever and I eventually left (fortunatly for me part of them being clever was delaying getting my z-visa papers ready so I don't need a release letter)
In summary (I hate that word) Yes there is a problem. Yes new teachers should be aware of these problems and Yes we are partly to blame.

[samhouston]

I guess I'm lucky. Before coming over here, so much stuff I read on Dave's was about weirdos and drunkaholics. Don't know where they at. I've met a couple irresponsible or unreliable teachers, but that's about it. No one weird or dangerous, no one with noticeable mental or emotional problems. I don't hang out in bars very often and clubs give me the shakes, so if that's where they've been crawling around, maybe that's why I haven't seen them.

[xzbakbook]

I think you have probably realized that once they start telling you their hard luck stories from home that it is time to go and find a new person to chat up. Not all the FT's are bad, in fact I found the less time a FT spends with other FT's the more balanced they seem to be.
From the sounds of it you also found a good job. Which is always a plus. I think things will improve in China when there are less people wanting to work there. But you seem to have a good set up. at work also. It is a rare creature indeed...don't ruin it!

[El Chupacabra]

[JZer]