Job Discussion Forums

[kev7161]

Hi all,

Today, the Foreign Affairs Office asked if I knew of any foreign teachers that are looking for a teaching job in China. So I thought I would leave a post here. By the way, I get NO $$ for this, just putting it out there for your consideration:

What it is:

Song Cheng Hua Mei School (SCHM) is NEAR (but not in) Hangzhou. If you want to go downtown or near any major shopping areas, it is about a 30 minute bus ride each way depending on the traffic. However, there is plenty of western foods that people desire (if you want to pay the cost). Trust Mart, Carrefour, and the Metro are 3 major stores that you can find almost anything you desire (and things you didn't think of before). There is a nearby town (I like to call it "Dirty Town", because it is . . . dirty) that has basic grocery stores, DVD shops, bank, post office, hair salons, etc. But it is quite a filthy little town so just wash your hands when you get home.

Also, there are a few little shops within walking distance of my apartment: restaurants, hair/massage place, "mom and pop" stores for soda, ice cream, beer, basic necessities, etc. An open market to buy fruits and vegetables is also right outside the gate.

In addition, there is Song Cheng (Song City), a small theme park that has daily shows and crafts for sale. As an employee of the school, you get free admittance at any time (and half price on crafts and food - but you have to remind the vendors of that ALL THE TIME) and you can buy a discount card should you want to invite friends. It is connected to the school.

SCHM is HUGE! It services grades K-12 and has a bilingual department and other speciality kinds of classes. It is a private boarding school. Your schedule will vary based on which grade level you teach, but most grades will teach 10 days and have 4 days off, 10 days and 4 days off, etc. Your classes are often cancelled due to testing or other events within the school. They are expecting (hoping for?) a large influx of students next term.

The good:

Pay starts at 4000rmb per month for up to 18 periods per week (50rmb for additional periods). You are paid once a month following the month you just completed (the 10th of every month). Our pay was NEVER delayed this year. Sometimes we were even paid early. However, they say in their website that experienced teachers "may" get more (4500?), so I would push for that if you have the experience.

Meals: Depending on how the school decides to work it next term, one of two meal plans will be offered. 1. 3 free meals a day in the school canteens. 2. A meal card with 200rmb credit every month. You can eat in the canteen or take the money off your card to buy food elsewhere.

Extra $$: If you sign a full year's contract, they will pay 2200rmb traveling fee - - 1100 before the winter break and 1100 at the end of the term. Plane fares are reimbursed, up to 4000rmb for a 1/2 year contract, 8000rmb for a full year (10 1/2 months).

Apartment: A fully furnished one-bedroom apartment with bathroom, kitchen, living room/dining room area, balcony, and laundry nook. Sofa, coffee table, big TV, DVD player, entertainment center, china cabinet (to store dishes, food, etc.), dining room table w/four chairs, refrigerator, microwave, stovetop cooking (propane - first tank free - - - it's been almost a full year and I'm still using that first tank; and I cook a lot!), washing machine, AC/Heater in the bedroom, queen-sized bed, desk, night stands (2), walk-in closet, free drinking water, western toilet, and all the things you need to be somewhat comfortable (dishes, sheets, blankets, towels, mop, broom, waste baskets, lamps, etc. etc.). Really, a pretty sweet deal. If I got this back in the states, I would easily be paying $500 or more each month. If you are a married couple (or maybe have a child), you will get a 2 bedroom apartment and your living/dining room and kitchen are bigger.

Utilities: Free water (bathing/laundry), free drinking water, 200 units of electricity in the "cooler" months and 300 units of electricity in the COLD or HOT months. You pay what you use beyond that at .70rmb per unit. Free internet, phone service (you buy your own phone cards to make outside calls, incoming calls are free to you). A computer to use your internet with.

There's a fully staffed medical clinic on campus when the canteen food doesn't quite agree with you. Medicine and band-aids are free. If you have to go to a hospital in town, the school covers most of the cost (I forget how much, it's in the contract).

The Bad: Some of this will sound like I am nit-picking and maybe I am, but here goes - -

1. Many of the students are spoiled and lazy and difficult to manage and work with. Most of the teachers here are frustrated and few have signed on for a second year. Several teachers broke their contract mid-year and left. Also, many Chinese teachers don't hang around here as well. Turn over is very high from what I hear.

2. I can only speak for the senior department, but the classrooms are hot in the hot months and freezing cold in the cold months. This is a "wealthy" school, but can't see their way of keeping the kids and teachers comfortable. There are ceiling fans and the couple of space heaters I bought for my classroom were worthless.

3. Schedule changes are abrupt and frequent. I actually make a teaching plan and I can easily be flexible about it - - - IF I was told a few days ahead of time.

4. Communication between departments is almost nil so it can get frustrating when you are trying to get some information or some help with something. Only one copy machine in a building at the front of the campus. Organization helps.

5. The school will try to pay you a 70% salary in the months of the Spring Holiday and the May Day holiday. If you hold your ground when negotiating, you may win out on that. I did and I now will get full salary for 10 months but will owe them an extra 2 weeks next July (but today is July 6th and the kids are going home today. I imagine it will be similar next term).

6. There are no paid sick days or leave days. You either get docked 50rmb per period missed or you can try to work something out with your department and switch some classes around. I did that a couple of times with little problem.

7. Being so far away from town is a pain more often than not. When the weather is too rainy or cold or hot, it is a challenge to get out and going. The "dirty town" is grimy and depressing, but at least it's close by.

8. Nice apartment, but located on the 6th floor with no elevator. My knees and legs are better these days, but if you are heavy or older or in bad shape, think about that before you take the job. Try to get an apartment on the EAST side of the building - less noise coming from the park and the traffic that goes by. The canal that flows by our building is dirty and polluted. A vast breeding ground for mosquitos. There is no negotiating for an apt. on a lower floor - I tried. We are about an 8 - 10 minute walk from the main campus area and from the bus stops.

9. The food in the canteens is usually horrid (in my opinion) and very repetitive. It's nice to be able to cook in your apartment, but that can get expensive.

Gosh, there's probably a few other things, similar to other schools I imagine. This is not the best school in the world, but from what I read, it is also not the worst. There are many charming things about it and you should visit if you can (if you are already in China) before you make up your mind.

Okay, if you are interested you can PM me with more specific questions and of course contact RAY with your inquiries. You can certainly mention my name (Kevin) to get his attention. They will want you here probably around Aug. 25 and your paid salary will start September 1st. Your first payday will be October 10th.

Here is the webpage:

http://www.tefl.cc/zhejiang/Job/Hangzhou%20SCHM%20School.htm

And Ray's email address:

[email protected]

Again, don't let the website fool you. Just be cautious and ask a lot of questions. But it is an "okay" school, easily tolerable for a year (or more?).