Job Discussion Forums

[arioch36]

I personally subscribe to the theory that a contract is only as good as the person behind it. I have always trusted the schools i have worked at. For me, it has mostly paid off. I am sure other people will view life quite differently, with many good reasons. Either way, there are some good questions to ask. Saying that, I believe being to pushy asking questions, especially in China will not be helpful. At a certain point they will start to get resentful, and in your eyes, they will "lie". In China it is not lying, but being polite, or the correct way to deal with a troublesome person.

QUESTIONS TO ASK ???

If you are talking to a recruiter (despite every person's advice)

1) Am I signing the contract with you, or directly with the school
(This goes for language schools as well, who are also often recruiters in disguise, who will practice bait and switch)

2) Who pays me, you or the school.

3) If the school pays me, who is the FAO

4) Do they currently have the legal right to hire foreigners

5) Who is the school's party chaiman

6) how long has the school had foreign teachers

Lots more, depending on the level of trust you have.


Schools
1) How many years has the FAO worked there (FAO- Foreign Affairs Officer). Some schools have a different one each year, sometimes a recent grad who is studying for their post grad test. Is this really who you want to depend on?

2) Class size Forget about contracts for a second. KEEP the e-mail where they tell you what the class size will be. I personally have no problem with 60 for reading, writing, literature courses, divided into two classes of 30 for oral english...as long as it is no more then two writing courses. They can't tell you for sure what you will teach, don't expect them to. But I will make sure that class size and no more then two writing classes is clearly stated in an e-mail

3) Web site Does the school have one in English?

4) Housing Details Two or three bedroom, your own kitchen, microwave, internet computer with ADSL installed before arrival, DVD. look at some school websites and get an idea of what is standard. Some of the things I mentioned are not, but it's the bennies that are important, not the salary. My school pays for every penny of my ADSL hook up, saving me time money, lots of headaches. They provided a VCD, not DVD, but I don't do a lot of movies, I probably could have bargained for it.

5) Contacts with previous/ current foreign teachers

6) Last and least, money

Really, money, I wouldn't consider it a priority. Ain't no school going to make you a rich man. I am working for less this year then in my first year, but only 12 hours a week, nice living place, etc. And even though I am making less at my college, they give me my freedom to do what i want, and i can make as much as I want. Last semester I made more then twice my college income. This semester i don't want to. Why i would never work at a language school again (Never say never)

But take a look at some college websites, see what other schools are offering. With a little bargainging, you can make more per month. My first school initially offered me 500 less. I showed them my teaching experience. My next three school eventually raised their offer by 1,000 per month

[whitjohn]

Thanks for this post. I have been reading for two months and have found everyones advice helpful. It truly does seem that your own attitude and skills are the most important factors in negotiating a happy contract.
I am on the way to China in 6 days and have an agreement with the school that we will both negotiate in good faith and with positive attitude. I believe the person on the other end will keep their promise. On the other hand, I have an ace in my pocket if I do need to use it.
Another good piece of advice...Bargain from a position of confidence and positive self image.

[Roger]

Chris' advice is sound and tested! Note hits proviso for those who go through an agent!

There is one point I wish to add:
Is there a PENALTY clause in your contract?
CHinese employers ruthlessly keep a portion of their Chinese workers' salary against the moment they want to run away! In many contracts they sign with us - and they sign these contracts only because the PSB approve and make them mandatory - there is a clause that normally says you owe your employer the amount of X RMB in case you want to terminate your employment prematurely!
The amounts can vary enormously from school to school!
If it is more than one monthly pay, don't be surprised! In my contract, it stipulates a sum of 10'000 RMB!
Better of course, if this clause is mutual! In my case, it is!