Job Discussion Forums

[JeremyDay]

Hello everyone. It is good to see you all again. I've been in Tianjin since September. Everything is going well. My contract will end on September 1st of this year.

I was hoping someone currently employed (and happy with that employment) might give me a lead or intro to their HR.

I have been working at a training center for 16,000 a month (total package) doing up to 30 classes a week.

I also took a second job teaching at a foreign language high school for 4,500 a month doing 10 classes a week (a bit low).

Needless to say, I'm burning the candle at both ends. I've started my job search for the next year. It may be that I have unrealistic expectations of what I can find out there.

I was hoping to find something in the 16,000 to 25,000 range. I am also interested in paid winter and summer holidays (which would appear to be available). This probably describes an IB or maybe a foreign language school (or combination thereof).

I'm a noncertified ESL teacher. I have a TEFL. I, of course, have a BA in Communications: Film. My experience is two years (I hate saying this, because I always work a second job, and my job experience is closer to 3 years in my opinion).

Am I at my ceiling? I often get responses from IB schools. But then the bait and switch happens and I find myself being offered a middle school position at 12,000 to 14,000 a month plus housing (2000). I'm willing to consider that... but the question is... am I chasing something that isn't possible? Does anyone out there have the inside scoop on something close to what I'm looking for?

Thanks.

[getbehindthemule]

I have read a lot of rubbish on here regarding fantasy salaries (20-30k) for people with your qualifications.
For unlicensed teachers with a degree and a couple of years teaching experience, you are unlikely to get 20k+ from your day job even in Shanghai.
I'm not too dissimilar to yourself, degree in the subject that I'm teaching in and three years teaching experience in China. I work at a public school managed by a foreign language school. The FLS has an international department, IB departments and several public foreign language school departments (Both Primary & Middle schools). You are correct in what you are saying, if you want paid hols you need to look at moving to this type of position (I get over 3 months per year fully paid).
FTs are predominantly English teachers but there are also many subject teachers (Science & Drama are even taught at primary level by FTs at many schools here in SH).
These types of schools tend to hire through recruiters so expect to be on an average wage for the first year until you are able to negotiate with the school for a second contact, think of something along the lines of 12k + 3k housing (with your experience you might be able to negotiate more but not much I reckon)
I'm sure somebody will chime in saying that is peanuts for SH, blah di blah...but it's the reality. Are there better paid teaching jobs out there, yes of course there are if you get lucky or have contacts.
It seems like you want to move away from the whole language mill area. I really don't blame you! One of the main reasons I moved here to teach was to hace 3 months hols every year to relax and travel
Good luck to you and I hope that you found some of my ramblings useful, and that you find a suitable position for your needs!

[JeremyDay]

I appreciate the response. I'm just trying to separate fact from fiction. I plan on starting work on an online masters to get my teaching certification. Without it, I seem to be hitting a wall.

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

To get a good idea of the kinds of jobs available across china, go to abroadchina.com. It lists positions in all sorts of schools in every province. They're not necessarily always the highest paying, but the website will give you an idea of what's out there.

Do your own homework before you come.

[getbehindthemule]

[Wicked Stepmother]

Working for a Sino-foreign academic programme should be your aim now. Liverpool, Leeds and Nottingham universities are good examples, and no way would they expect you to have more than 20 hours a week contact time. A good place to see the jobs is the BALEAP website, where you can see the usual expectations. But these days, any uni would want you to at least have started your MA. I recommend you start an MA through a university which has a programme in China. Then your lecturers can serve as your reference.
Truly, if you are in this for the long haul, an MA or DELTA is essential. I think you can do a distance DELTA, even perhaps attending a centre in China for weekend classes, but I have not looked this up recently.

[JeremyDay]

I was able to find a position in a school with a fledgling IB program. It appears to have worked out perfectly. I ended up in the middle of my desired salary range without a paid summer vacation.

I appreciate everyone's input. I guess it is possible... with a little luck.

[getbehindthemule]

[JoThomas]

[jaybet3]

JeremyDay,

It's not just the salary. It's also the city. 20K might seem like a lot but not if you live in a Tier 1 city (Shanghai, Beijing, etc.). A lower salary in a Tier 2 could be more effective when you compare cost of living.

Also, to get higher salaries I suggest picking up a skill instead of just oral English. I took a low paying job to get IELTS experience and now got a job paying much more because of that experience.

Some schools in smaller cities might also offer you the chance to teach another subject besides English, such as Math, Science, etc. Then you can boost your salary with your next job.

[JeremyDay]

I appreciate the continued input. I was able to find a salary in the middle of my desired range with free housing (off campus but arranged by my school).

I'm also getting a chance to teach Theatre (my minor), and PE. I'm quite excited as I will be working in an IB curriculum and teaching subjects that I find intriguing.

As for the city, it is very small (500,000), and it is a very nice place according my current students. Shanghai is also within a hop, skip, and jump.

At this moment, I am teaching 40 classes a week (two jobs) in Tianjin. This job is a step up in salary with a step down (a major step down) in hours. I'm very excited. And, the AQI is a step up from my current city. As a country boy, I think the less than perfect AQI in Tianjin is beating me up pretty good.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

[Iloveamma]

[Iloveamma]

[getbehindthemule]