Job Discussion Forums

andrzej · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 36

Hello everyone,

I am interested in going to China (a large city, such as Shanghai or Bejing) in May and staying for about a year. I am interested in learning Chinese as well as doing an internship with an American company the second half of the year (once my Chinese becomes passable). I'm a poor student and I can't afford to go with an exchange program (which would arrange a visa for my stay), plus I am in need of a small income (enough to pay for the physical necessities) while in China.

I was thinking that a good way to resolve this problem would be to get a part-time job teaching English. What I am wondering is, would any language institute or school sponsor my visa application if I were to agree to only part-time work? From the posts, it seems like a lot of the part-time work available assumes that the teacher already has a visa and a primary job in China.

Any thoughts as to how much a fair salary would be for such an arrangement? I am a college graduate, have 2 -3 years teaching experience (not language but sport), and have taught a bit of English to foreigners living in the US (nothing significant).

I appreciate any help or advice you can give me (even if it isn't a direct answer to my question!)!

Volodiya · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 12:54 am Post subject:

There is nothing in Chinese Law that would prevent a qualified employer* from arranging you an FEC, and RPF, if you are contracted to work for them.

My sponsor in China is a U.S. company and arranges the FEC and RPF for me. I teach eleven hours a week for them, at present.
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* a "qualified employer" is one which has permission, under Chinese Law, to employ foreigners

virago · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:47 am Post subject:

Many University jobs are full time but only around 13 hours a week. So really it's not a great workload and can be done with little preparation, especially after a couple of months practice.

13 hours is really parttime. You also get work visas, accommodation and usually power, gas and maybe a computer with internet in your room.

Teaching at a university gives you usually 3,500 RMB a month which is low but then this will give you enough to live on. Some universities outside of the main areas can pay up to 6,000 RMB a month. Depends on where you go.

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

There are some uni's that will do a trade off with you. You teach about 12 hours a week and they will provide you with housing, food and let you study Chinese there at the same time. I have a friend who did this.

andrzej · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 36

you guys are brilliant, thanks so much for your replies. i have heard about the work-study exchange, which sounds OK, i suppose. i'm a bit weary of classroom language instruction, since i seem to do most of my learning outside of a structured environment when in the country where the language is spoken!

i'll take a look into this arrangement. would this be something that is advertised or do i have to contact a university directly?

thanks again for your help!