Job Discussion Forums

somanyroads · Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 21

Hi, I just had an interview at a chain school in Tainan and was offered two different contract options. Was wondering what you think is a better option, if either?

The first is an hourly rate of $550, with 18 hours of teaching per week, 4 on MTTF and one on Wed avo and one on sat morn. Also expected to be there for 20min per class of prep time.

The second is a salary for $55,000 per month. work is from 3-9:30 monday to friday and 9-1 on sat. It is for a maximum of 25 teaching hours per week but at the moment there is only the 18 hours.

Both offer an arc, work permit and health insurance. It is a fairly new school and I would be the only foreign teacher (replacing the one that just left for an emergency at home)
I like the idea of a garaunteed income and only having to teach 18 hours a week for the 55,000. It's a lot of other time at the office but it seems like it would be pretty chill. I have no ESL experience and it's November (doesn't seem to be piles of jobs advertised) so I'm thinking of taking it. They wil also give me some training which I like the idea of. Any thoughts on if this is a good place to start for a newbie? Also will it be easy enough to find supplementary work in the am if I want it later on?
Thanks for any advice, Cheers.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I think you already answered your own question.

Take the 55,000 job. Safer and more secure for a newbie...

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

That is a damn fine avatar.

I would go with hourly, in fact always go with hourly. I did work on a monthly contract once but ended up resenting the hours and hours sitting in the office not being able to go home.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

I second that. Hourly is my preferred way to work. Salaries are seldom a better deal.

wombat · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 134

A third vote for going hourly.

Monthly ties you down to the school and can be downright boring. You will appreciate the flexibility that hourly jobs can offer, either getting private or other work on the quiet, or studying Chinese. Don't be fooled by a salary contract.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

Hourly pay is by far the better option. Keep in mind that a family emergency usually means the teacher wants to break the contract but would like to get paid their final pay check.
Try finding the previous teacher and talk to them. Be sure to read the contract carefully and take any Chinese portions of the contract to a translator before signing.
Good luck,
A.