Job Discussion Forums

[PeterGriffin]

I have recently accepted a job at Xian Tao Vocational college near Wuhan. I will be teaching 18-25 year olds speaking and writting English 16 hours a week and making 3600 RMB a month with the chance to get a raise after a few months, also all accomadations are supplied, I will be living in an apartment with a floor space of 124 square meters with all silverware, towels, plates etc. My experience is minimal, I am 19 with a high school diploma, and a TESL Certificate from Oxford Seminars in Vancouver B.C. I have no actual teaching experience except for my Practicum. Is this what I should be expecting with my qualifications?

Also to those who may feel I'm F*@#ing up the job market for accepting such a low wage you guys can lick my bag, considering I'm only making $7.16 an hour at my current job, it would be ridiculous not to take the job in China where they are providing almost everything I have to pay for here.


Sincerely, Peter Griffin

[ChinaEFLteacher]

for your qualifications it's not bad.
hours pretty low, accomodations pretty good, wage livable.

[togusa]

It's not bad. But with your qualifications I know you can still do better did you sign a contract already?

[Long ai gu]

Dear Peter, I don't want to lick your bag but I will reply to your question. Most colleges or universities are paying between 3000-4500RMB for 16 classes unless you are highly qualified and have struck a better deal. I'd take your job because at the college I'm working for now I'm making 3000RMB. I had only 2 weeks to find a job teaching older students(my preference) so I accepted this one since they sent me an invitation and papers for a work visa. At a private school in Chengdu I was making 5800RMB for 10 classes a week but didn't enjoy the 13 - 15 year old rich kids I was teaching who were not interested in learning English and were held prisoner at the school unable to leave the property. Be happy dude, it may seem strange teaching students that are older than you. Make friends with them and talk to them like they're your friends in Canada. Make them laugh, they'll think you're a good teacher. Getting most Chinese students to talk is like opening a can without a can opener--don't be discouraged if they just blankly stare at you, they are very shy to speak English. Look for their comprehension level--just exactly how much can they understand. At first speak slow and clear to be sure they understand--separate your words. I could go on and on---good luck in Wuhan, it's a big city, might be fun.

[millie]

Hello Peter,

Why not take the job? It will be worthwhile experience and you need to start somewhere.
The pay is just O K for your background.

Don’t have high hopes for a pay rise since talk is cheap in China.
However, if it is written into your contract it would be more reassuring but not binding.

Best of luck.
M.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

You want me to lick your bag? Well, that is the most interesting offer I've heard today, let me check my schedule...

[tradinup]

You're not f*cking up the job market, you're simply supplying your students with an inadequate teacher. The fact is that a high school graduate does not have the level of competency in grammar that is required, which is evident from your post. If you submitted a hundred or so essays in University and learned from the feedback, then you would be a good teacher. You say that you teach written English; let's be honest, you don't really know what you're doing.

[quanxie]

Great post! LOL, I haven't heard anyone say 'lick my bag' since I was in high school. I think the kids will love you, go for it...Don't forget to do a lesson on the use on slang...

Good luck,
Phil

[tradinup]

Sure... why start with the BE verb? Maybe his class goes like this...

Lesson 1:

I lick bags
He/She licks bags
etc..

Lesson 2: (onto present progressive)

I'm licking the bag
He/She is licking the bag

When they graduate they will sound just like mouthy Canadian teenagers... Super!

[Roger]

Peter,
you didn't deserve those nihilistic answers! I give you the thumbs-up! Take that job! A vocational school is likely quite congenial. The kids may have a more hands-on attitude than those couch potatoes you meet at universities.
Also, Hubei has a very welcoming population - more friendly than Cantonese or Pekingers. The salary is good though not sensational. In Hubei you won't need much.

However, your location is a little imprecise. "Near Whuhan" can mean a lot of things. Hopefully, Wuhan is within a one-hour bus journey.
There aren't many exciting cities in Hubei!
Good luck!

[tom selleck]

The nihilistic answers may or not have been appropriate, but gawly, were
THEY EVER FUNNY. Get it buddy? Teaching in an overseas environment is just as much about entertaining.

There's a reason why you gotta start some place. Most young felllers just out of school, however well-meaning, wise beyond their years, technically gifted at providing quality lessons, just don't have a developed sense maturity yet. It'll come, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

I worked with a young feller fresh out of school. One day we heard really REALLY LOUD MUSIC coming from 3 floors below. It was so loud it was difficult to hear ourselves think 3 floors above wet behind the ears teacher. We were at home at the time, and we phoned him to tell him we couldn't hear ourselves licking each other's bags

[beck's]

I have several pieces of advice for you:

1. Take the job. I can see by your, "lick my bag" comment, that you have some growing up to do. China is a wonderful place to grow up. It's safe compared to many developing countries and you will get the chance to experience a completely different culture. If you come here you will have the opportunity to mature away from your parents. I believe that this will be good for you and easier on your parents.

2. Don't become too worried about your lack of ability in English. There are many language purists on this board who will try to bully you. More than likely you will be given some type of text or workbook to follow. Just stay a few pages ahead of your students and you will do fine. Your English will improve as you go along. Teaching is a beautiful way to learn.

3. Whether you know it or not, you are an expert in North American adolescent culture. Chinese students are very interested in this culture and they will be very receptive to what you can teach them about it. Fill your bags with motorcycle magazines for the boys and "Seventeen" magazines for the girls. Bring lots of pictures of your friends. Also, bring some hackey sacks, your baseball glove, a Canadian football and your skate-board, if you have one. Chinese kids love to play.

Good luck and come on over.

[Volodiya]

Great answer, Beck's. The kid's got spunk, and this will give him a great opportunity to see if this is a good direction for him in life; then, go for a degree, or two, if it is....

[TEAM_PAPUA]

SPUNK??? BAG LICKING??? what the hell is going on?

Regarding lack of ability & qualifications, there's always McEnglish!


T_P

[Mr.Kevin]

China is great!
I left Winnipeg with no degree, just a high school diploma and my TESL certificate. I came to China when i was 19, now i'm 21 working at an elementary school. i get payed more than all the people i know with a degree. I started out with 5500/month + accomadation at EF english first, I would not recommend it though. Take anything you can to get a foothold on china. If it doesnt pan out, you can walk to an "english corner" and get someone to find you another job. Make that raise after a few months manditory and stipulate how much. Don't feel obligated to stick to what you have already accepted, they will try to F*** you whenever they can.

coodos to Peter, I'm sick of talking to people braging about their degree when it has nothing to do with teaching english. It seems to me that chinese people are only seeing western wash-outs. They need fresh blood out here. Its very good experience