Job Discussion Forums

Poker Face · Joined: 20 Jan 2015 Posts: 8

I saw an argument at a tefl forum where they say some contracts suck and others are better but when I see teacher contracts in China they all seem so plain and vague. Then I read this here and they say the less clear and more ambiguous the contract is the worse it is. MOD EDIT

So in your opinion guys, what makes a good contract "good". And if you are already in a bad one, how do you get out without losing your visa and last paycheck?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

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Lost.And.Found · Joined: 20 Jan 2015 Posts: 42 Location: The Middle Kingdom

I think a good contract is a fair contract that protects the school and the teacher. It should also spell what is expected of the teacher and what fines and bonuses may affect the teacher.

Fergie · Joined: 10 Feb 2015 Posts: 34 Location: The Middle Kingdom

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

You really need to apply for a lot of jobs and get the job descriptions to see for yourself.

Also, check out abroadchina.org to see what's being offered. You'll get a BASIC idea of what's offered throughout China. I don't endorse that board for anything except as a point of reference.

You need to find out for yourself. Read the opinions of many people in as many forums as possible.

Walsh · Joined: 19 Feb 2015 Posts: 24

JellyRoll · Joined: 20 Dec 2014 Posts: 29 Location: Canada

Bear in mind - you do NOT sign your contract until you get to your school/Uni in China. Everything, up until that moment, is taken on trust.
Also, the schools have to lay out a lot of cash to get the Z-visa and the medicals done - and they are counting on YOU to fill their quota of teachers needed for the next semester. They do not want to be paying double hourly rates for other existing teachers to take up the slack.
I'm talking about public Uni's here - not private enterprises, and g-d knows, there are way too many cram schools already.

IF you are contacted directly by the FAO and Principal of the Uni/School - and you can easily verify that by getting one of your PREVIOUS students to call the school - you can be pretty well assured that the deal is good.
Public schools/Uni's in China don't have money to burn on time wasters. G-d knows, I've seen enough fake FT's come and go over the years. It damages the reputation of a good school, and it damages the students also.
Most FAO's will bend over backwards to take care of their FT's - notwithstanding the "5 year plan" which royally rogers everyone - try saying that fast after a couple of glasses of baiju - , including the professors and adjunct staff. Been there, done that - and that's why I left last time.

Most of the time, re China - it's all about TYG. If it walks like a duck.....and all that. If it doesn't feel "right", don't do it - it's either a scam recruiter or an agency.

Ask for their license - you can check their number easily.
Do your research.
Contact people on places such as this - oh, and, "sorry, Dave.....forgive me this little thing......" - Raoul's China Saloon - I was a good friend of Raoul Duke and met many excellent, seasoned expats on his board. Now, I'm here. Get used to it - and I'm pro-China, all the way.

If you're in a 'bad' contract, then it's down to your own stupidity, basically - do your homework - check it out - that's what the internet is for.
Yeah, I know, and sympathise with noobs who get thrown in jail and deported for working illegally - but there really is NO EXCUSE anymore.
Jeez Louise - if someone heads out to China on the basis of having watched a few NatGeo progs, then more fool them.

At the end of the day, let's face it - some people just cannot be taught......and China, and the amazing students there, should suffer for this, why?? Too many commas - but I'm not a grammar-nazi right now - just counting the hours until I'm back in TMK again.

Sorry.....no offense to anyone - but I happen to love China - and I've missed it SO much, every single day - there is just something that grabs your heart and won't let go.

Go there, teach you heart out - you will never, ever regret it - neither will they. But, do it the RIGHT way.

The Great North · Joined: 24 Feb 2015 Posts: 26 Location: Beijing

Lack · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 252

The most important thing (in general) for contracts is that they need to be specific and detailed.

For example, in my last job, there were extra school events we "had" to do plus going out to another school once or twice a week. None of that was in the contract, but I didn't fight it.

So make sure everything is mentioned in the contract, and anything you get changed, make sure it is in writing or it will be useless: "No, laowai, I didn't promise you that."

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Search for an old thread 'Job offer checklist' and there's some pointers.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Here's the link I mentioned.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=91394&highlight=checklist

weigookin74 · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 265

Don't accept vague promises or assurances from recruiters. Get it written into the contract or edit it into the contract and send it back. If they hire you and you have a signed contract with their agreement, it's good. If not, then move on to the next employer.

isitts · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 193 Location: Korea

happyinshangqiu · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 7:30 am Post subject:

The contract should state clearly what your duties are. If the duties change when you arrive in China then you have the right to refuse them - actually, the places I have worked at in China have been good regarding this, they'll try it on though but you can refuse extra work not laid out in the contract.

If you get a contract and there are extra duties you don't want to do then ask for the contract to be amended and then sign, don't sign the contract and then plan to weasel out of your commitments because that won't work out too well.

As for salary, hours, English corners and the rest of it - it is all dependent on the individual teacher.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

About contracts...

In the normal z-visa process, the teacher print, signs, scans, and returns a pro-forma copy of the contract which was sent by email to the foreign teacher. The school uses this as a sign of good faith, and, I believe, to secure the working permit and visa notification letter (aka invitation letter) from the government to send to the foreign teacher. Foreign teacher uses those two documents to obtain a z-visa. Arriving in China, this is NOT "the contract" since the teacher was the only signer.

A school that follows the law will then provide a "SAFEA" (government-approved, serial numbered) contract with addendum (one copy for each party in Chinese and in English) for signatures of both the foreign teacher and the school's representative. The terms shouldn't be any different than when the foreign teacher agreed and signed the first time from the home country/Internet. Bring the printed copy of the Internet contract to the school to quickly compare terms with the official contract (at least the English version). It should be easy to compare since it should be identical. If not, read it carefully, point out discrepancies and don't be bullied into signing until you are absolutely comfortable with it.