Job Discussion Forums

[wavelength]

This is a simple point of view really. If the demand in China is so high, and they are so desperate for native speakers, why don't any of them pay for airfare upfront?

Most offer to reimburse at the end of a contract, and it's highly debatable whether or not an native-speaker will ever see the 12th month of their contract.

The only thing I can think of is that we ESL teachers don't actively demand it. Perhaps I'm a butt-head, but as far as I can tell, without a foreigner's face/presence, many schools have a very hard time pleasing parents and getting/keeping students.

Yet every boss I've had is basically rolling in piles of cash.

Why don't English teachers come to an industry-wide consensus and adopt the attitude of, "If you want me to move to the other side of the planet to teach your kids my language and culture so they can grow up to make lots of money, you're going to have to pay the relocation costs."

hmmm...

[Non Sequitur]

In my exp even in the West a new employer in a different town will refund moving expenses - not be upfront with them.
I see enough comments on Dave's about last minute opt outs to see the Chinese viewpoint on this one.
Sorry OP, your issue doesn't resonate with me.

[Jezza]

I worked at a school where they initially paid the airfare upfront but after the occasional runner etc. decided to make it a reimbursement instead. We were able to negotiate 6-month instalments though. At any rate, a lot of schools would like to have a financial incentive to encourage teachers to stick around and complete their contract. A bonus does this but not as much as having a reimbursement.

[Lack]

I doubt anyone will ever pay it upfront. It'll usually just be given at the end. And as long as it is in the contract, you shouldn't have an issue when it comes time to get paid. I guess an employer could screw you over, in which case you sit your ass in your boss's office and don't move until you get paid. And you could escalate from there if need be. But this only applies if you are legal though. My former boss was a shithead and was ready to pounce on even the tiniest way to be a greedy a-hole. But after we had one "discussion" about things, I didn't have problems with him again.

As far as these things making sense in context of the demand for FTs being so high...don't know. Trying to figure that one out still. Chinese are often willing to cut off their noses to spite their faces.

[The_Kong]

[Unchained English]

[wavelength]

[wavelength]

[coldcucumber]

[Non Sequitur]

Don't post final marks until you have airfare refund.
And, tell any students hovering around their computers waiting to see their scores that the delay is because you haven't been paid.
Don't give complicated stuff about reimbursements. The Chinese don't register this stuff. They do know about pay and rip offs though.
Also don't let on when you are flying out as the school will spot the pinch point and if so inclined plan a screw.

[Unchained English]

"I do often times get paid hotel AND taxi fare. This simply happens because I negotiate. Otherwise, it gets included within my hourly rate."

That's not what I meant. If you had to use a taxi or hotel for work purposes the school should pay for it. What I was saying is you can't expect those things as additional income.

[Non Sequitur]

[Shanghai Noon]

Unless you actually don't plan on completing the contract or don't have the money for a one-way ticket, does it matter when you get paid?

[toteach]

This is actually a HUGE sticking point with me in my current school.

I was given a one-way flight, paid by the school this past August, when I began my contract. I then paid for three one-way flights for my family. Now I've been told that the school has changed its mind and will only do airfare reimbursements from now on. Great. Instead of paying for three round-trip tickets for the summer vacation, I now have to pony up the dough to pay for four when only three were in the budget.

It's chapping my backside.