Job Discussion Forums

CNexpatesl · Joined: 27 May 2015 Posts: 194

Sorry for starting all these threads, but I thought this one deserved its own. I decided to pass on the part-time gig, since it seemed awful and probably wouldn't have even been enough money to survive as I'm currently living in an expensive first tier city.

I got offered this urgent job in Dalian. Said I'd be paid 8,000 RMB to work 25 hours a week (1 hour classes), weekends off, supposedly no office hours. Students' age range from 12-18. Plus I'd be set up in a free apartment (I saw the pics).

It sounds like a low stress, decent job, but the guy seems a bit shady, and is pressuring me to come to Dalian ASAP. I also went over the contract, and it sneakily states that I could be given more hours if the school takes on more students.

Would anyone take this job? Is 8,000 RMB considered good in Dalian?

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

Well, at my Uni teachers get about 8k for 13 and a half hours a week, so it's not very good money.

It's enough to live on, so if it's the best you can get, it will have to do. I wouldn't say that Dalian is a cheap city though. I mean it depends. If you get the bus or tram into the city (or indeed anywhere) it's 1-2 kuai.

However, nothing in your post suggests that it's a job you should take. I'd have thought the going rate for a job like that would be about 12k. I can't imagine a job teaching that age group could ever be low stress, or indeed decent.

If the guy is shady, and is pressuring you, then surely you've answered your own question.

What do the other teachers at the school / company think of the job?

Markness · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 738 Location: Chengdu

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

Language schools in Dalian have always paid pretty low-they could offer less than other comparable cities cos many wanted to live there. Something to do with learning Chinese-as I recall.With regards the 8k salary- I was making that money back in 2005 when I worked at DUT-for less teaching hours as well.....

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

8K at DUT in '05?
Unless that includes an accom allowance as back then the FTs were lodged in hotel style rooms.
I was offered jobs at DUT and DMU for Sept 2004 start. Under 6K pm for both and what swung it was the accom at DMU was proper one or two BR apartments with loads of room.

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

Yes-that was inclusive of accommodation allowance....I was doing 21-22 actual teaching hours a week-hence the salary being higher than what was usually paid-most of the guys working as teachers were happy with the standard salary for 12-14 hours a week, for the simple reason that they were there primarily as students of Chinese....

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

Standard salary guys presumably stayed in the hotel?
I remember one English guy who spent a lot of time at the new KFC at the back of the campus. This was just to have some company.
DMU had a thriving Chinese language school and you could generally find a class cohort that fitted your schedule.
I really do think that teaching English in China doesn't do much for your CV unless you use the time to master Chinese.
Do you remember an older Kiwi guy at DUT?
Mate of mine.
Best