Job Discussion Forums

[mat chen]

In South Korea and here I have found the best jobs are where you work alone. Foreigners are so diverse in their backgrounds and the job is stressful, so they turn on each other. One highly ranked university I worked at, had this Canadian lady who would spend all her time with the FAO reporting on other teachers. They turned over teachers frequently. When I I left she was teaching thirty hours a week of writng classes. Now there is no way a person can possibly do this. That's over 1,200 students that you would have to mark writing assignments for. I have learned one thing in my long carreer as a teacher. Don't pass judgements on fellow teachers. Keep your own house in order and let others be. Another more important thing when working over seas is to have something to do outside of teaching. You have to get away from the job or you will crack.

[igorG]

Some really good points above.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[AnomanderRake]

[mat chen]

The students pay. You are the last to get paid. You usually get paid after asking for your money. Don't forget to ask! This is not about China. I taught immigrants in Canada and often they weren't getting paid, because employers knew they wouldn't go to the authorities.

[El Chupacabra]

I'll second what Mat just said, and has been saying. The gist is that we've got to be more aggressive and positive, and less passive and negative. No matter where you are, China or your home country, you've got to have a business-like exterior.

In China, you've got to ask for your pay sometimes. It might be couple days or a week late depending on the lunar calendar and the accounting department's vacation schedule, but you will get paid if you don't take a passive stance.

In the rare event that your employer refuses to pay you, get aggressive. Don't whine on the Internet, but go after the weasels. There are many ways to do this, among them a visit to your local tax official.

Another passive stance that should be avoided are recruiters. They might be helpful for arranging your first assignment, but even then are unnecessary. After your first China gig, y'all should be dealing directly with schools.

Bottom line, stop whining like hurt lapdogs and start barking like hungry Rottweilers. You won't get anything in this world (not just China) by being a wimp.

[Silent Shadow]

[dog backwards]

[blitzkrig]

I've been teaching in China for three years. Starting on my fourth (been here way too long!)

Worst thing that happened salary-wise: My salary was three days late one time.

Worst thing that happened visa-wise: Can't think of anything bad. Always had a Z-visa. No hazzle.

[londis]

Second what blitzkrig said. So much negativity on these forums - do some research when finding a job, talk to previous employees. There are a lot of unscrupulous people in any country, and it's quite unfair to demonize China particularly. Read what you sign, and if you don't like it, go elsewhere. You're still a precious enough employee, particularly if you're good, that schools will want you.

[igorG]

Demonizing the country unfairly. Read what you sign, when much of the reading is just bout the same

[MADAMELEACH]

Should be Teaching in China 2011: Be careful??

[igorG]

Yes. As i've heard, some, that've not followed the " clear local guidelines", have to leave now. It's not about our experiences and/or certs but about our experiences and/or expert certs from this country. So, if you get a teaching guideline from here, follow it no matter what. We don't want the local market to shut its doors in our faces, do we?