Job Discussion Forums

[brisket]

I'm seriously looking at teaching in China. Partly for a change of scene, partly because I have friends in Shanghai, and also in the hope of saving a bit of money.

My question is: is there actually much of a wage premium in China for being a good teacher? It seems that there are plenty of job opportunities within a certain range for those with a BA and maybe CELTA, and then a different tier for qualified school teachers. I'm one of the dreaded BA-plus-CELTA types, but:
-I have several years experience in my home country (NZ), working for a reputable govt-supported ESL org;
-I have only ever received excellent feedback, both from observations by experienced teachers and from students, both with my main gig and when I've taken short-term private contracts;
-I have some other qualifications; post-grad in a different field, and a specialist literacy qualification;
-and it shouldn't matter, but for what it's worth, I'm a 'presentable' white guy, 30s, married.

So... does all that count for anything? Can I expect to get a better job than someone of minimal competence and experience who meets the BA+CELTA minimum requirements? Or is that not really how it works?

[rogerwilco]

[rocket man]

If you have some sort of K-12 teaching credential (not TESOL related) or an MA the foreign language high schools (those that have students wanting to study overseas) will pay you between 18-25k/month plus a housing allowance to be a subject teacher.

Without that you might SOL on higher paying jobs, lots of new graduates or refugees from Korea/Japan coming over given how those markets are drying up driving down salaries even though getting legal here has become a new pain in the behind.

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

In the public university, there is no official difference between the pay of a good teacher and a poor teacher. There is a difference in pay among BA level teachers, MA level teachers and the mythical PhD level teachers. If a school likes you and if you are popular because you bring something to the school that is useful, the school will find ways to reward you. There is some discretion on the part of the FAO regarding pay, but that isn't negotiated until the teacher has been at the school for awhile.

If you prove to be a good teacher at a public university, the FAO may recommend you to friends and acquaintances whose kids need extra help. As application procedures and regulations become more stringent, the official pay grades may increase in response to the supposedly better qualified teachers who arrive as a result of the weeding out process.

Things may be different at a private school.

[Jmbf]

I agree with most of the other comments, good teacher or bad takes a backseat to qualifications and proven experience. These are what will get you the higher paying positions.

Now, if you are looking at taking on private students, then whether you are good or not will have a greater impact. Good teachers who take time to develop their reputations can make quite good money on the side through private work (location and a few other factors depending).

[Non Sequitur]

[The bear]

I'm going to agree and disagree with what others have said.

Unfortunately, being a 'good teacher' doesn't provide you with that much extra unless you have the qualifications to demonstrate it e.g. home country teaching licence / MA in TESOL etc. So I agree there.

However I disagree (a little) with those saying good teachers make more in privates. This seems to be a little said in hope than expectation. I've met wonderful teachers, through no fault of their own (not white, blue eyed, blonde haired, native speakers) get passed over by terrible teachers because these terrible teachers looked the part. That's one reason.

Additionally, most employers will go for the cheaper option. If you're a great teacher but charge 400 an hour, whereas there's another guy willing to work for 200 an hour... And the same goes for 1-1, or privates where they find you. Sure, being a good teacher will help BUT it's not the only factor. I wish I could say 'results talk' or something like that. But in China (and other places), it's not like this.

[nimadecaomei]

I think they meant privates as in organized outside of any school.

[The bear]

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

It's a different game in public universities. The FT isn't dealing directly with mommy. Mommy may meet with the tutor once (if at all). The university-aged student can tell if the teacher is any good, and as soon as Mr. Johnny pulls out the same lame textbook that is used in class, tutoring is over. The university-aged student is looking for something beyond what is presented in most classes.

While it may be true that parents of primary and and middle school students don't discriminate, be sure that college and university students do.

If you want to see a real stretch from primary and middle school (and university level), try doing corporate work where the company is trying to promote an English speaking office atmosphere. That's when the tutor/teacher must REALLY perform and provide real-world material that isn't always found in a book.

[papuadn]

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

If you need to ask, you won't understand.

Good luck

[Non Sequitur]

The 'payoff' I was referring to is more to do with the level of inquiry, rather than coin.
The student may ask for the teacher that delivers the goods but it is the parents who nickle and dime.
Oh and papua. Demanding exactitude and clarity (especially with repeated words and emphasis) in China, is not a good approach.

[Jmbf]

[Kalkstein]