Job Discussion Forums

[ohlordy]

Hello. I've been scouring posts and googling for the last week but haven't been able to find anything good or bad about them, so, as one who is thinking of coming over to China for a shortish to medium stint, I'm wondering if anyone has any oil on this association in particular or the 'foreign expert' thing in general.
By way of background for helpful responses, I'm a 50 year old Australian male who taught English (unqualified) in Japan for 3 years in the early 1980's, came back, did my BA and teaching degree and have been teaching Senior High Japanese for about 12 years.
I did postgrad in Tesol last year at Melbourne Uni, looking for a change, and then had a job lined up to teach in an ELICOS centre in the city for the end of January. That has now fallen through due to the large number of cancellations from foreign students in the tsunami affected countries. As things seem quiet here on all fronts, and as I have a family, I only want to consider signing up in China for a 3, 4 or 6 month contract at this stage.
I've been lucky enough to spend good time in around 35 countries, didn't come down in the last shower, and am not easily fazed. But scouring all these posts has been a good reminder of how easily it is to get burnt, and hence the importance of going over the contract very carefully.
Like many of you, I consider myself a professional, and would be more interested in a good teaching experience and less money than good remuneration and a lousy experience. I have just received a 3 page contract from the Jiangsu Association for my perusal, and emailed them back a series of questions based on what I have read on this forum. It's from Feb 25 to June 29, 20 lessons a week, 4,500 yuan a month, 50 yuan an hour if I want to do overtime, free living expenses, co-workers to be provided, internet access, 50 yuan monthly phonecard, clear explanations of arbitration and penalties for either party terminating the contract. But what I'd really like is if any of the old hands out there would have any comments or advice on these contract clarifications I am seeking from them.
TODAY'S EMAIL
1. You say that the living conditions would be free of charge. Does that include electricity, water etc? In what kind of accommodation would I be staying? An apartment of my own off campus, or shared accommodation on campus etc?
2. In which city In Jiangsu Province would I be living? Would I be required to work in other cities and schools other than Wuzi Tian Yi Middle School?
3. What is the average age and class size of the students I would be teaching? Would you say that the students are keen to learn English?Why?
4. Are the 20 lessons per week of 45 or 60 minute duration? What other work hours would be required outside of teaching time..events, promotion, English Corner etc? Are the working hours Monday to Friday?
[color=green]5. The contract says that 50% of my salary can be converted into foreign currency in January 2006. Does this mean that I would not have access to this money until then if I only worked until June 30th 2004?
6.Would February 25th to June 30th qualify as a Semester, and would I receive US$450 reimbursement for single airline ticket?
7.My research suggests that it is very important to have the Z visa BEFORE I leave for China. If this is not possible before Feb 25th, what guarantees can you give that if I arrived on a Tourist Visa, I would not be stranded waiting to start work?
8. Does the school have its own teaching materials or would I have to bring my own? What kind of in class co-worker support would I receive?
9. Are there any foreigners who are working or have worked for your organisation recently whom I could contact by email to briefly discuss things with?

Anything you'd add or subtract?
Many thanks in advance.

[tarzaninchina]

Less than 6 months is an F-visa, z is longer than 6 months.

Clarify 'teaching hour', most Chinese know what this means and how it's less than a clock hour. Maybe ask how many teaching hours per lesson and how long is a teaching hour....

The legalities are 30% minimum to 70% maximum to convert your money. Anything here is negotiable. This should be able to be done monthly, but that depends on the intelligence of the banking staff, not the school. You'll get a foreign expert certifcate (AKA red book) and it will have everything in it and stamped, so that's all you'll need from the school.

Don't be so accussing for point seven. Have them get you an F-visa. If you come over on a tourist visa, you'll have no clout and they may pull a fast one. Still, have a signed contract when you come over, not after. This will avoid many hassles, including a fast one.

Ask about internet access if you want it. Be particular about this in terms of WHERE it's provided.

The overtime rate is incredibly low. Then again, if they go for airfare I wouldn't ask them double it. Maybe a trade-off here?

Clear explanations you most likely won't get. It's a standard clause, but it just doesn't happen.

As for airfare, if they decide to grant you whatever airfare and/or end-of-contract bonus, be extremely particular and give them a copy of the receipt (so bring one).

As for co-worker support, the school is bound to provide you with all necessary working conditions and the like, so just make sure that's in the contract. Thus, just ask about teaching assistants (TA's) and if you get one for all of your classes.

If you've been teaching this long, bring your funky English stuff with you (or at least some). Even schools who have their own program in China tend to be fairly lax about the FT spicing it up a bit, at least in my realm of experience any way. Just ask what books they use.

[lagerlout2006]

Hi: So is this in Wuxi? (You say Wuzi -there may be such a place but I don't know it.)

Anyway why the ostentatious sounding "Jiangsu Association"? I guess that means it's an agency. It doesn't sound TOO bad if you get favorable answers to what you ask. And you are asking the right questions---no need of surprises later. (I am usually too slack looking at the fine print and often get burned.) 50 is too low to overtime but there's a simple solution--don't do any. But you might want to ask about outside work as they may forbid it. What is possible is you may be in a remote location anf the only way to get extra work is through them. I would ask about location if you haven't already. Wuxi is a pretty big place and you could be anywhere.


20 classes I also think is high but usually it's more at middle schools than College. The reverse should be true but that's the way it is here. Certainly ask about the air bonus---also a "travel allowance" is normal here - usually 2200 a year or so . Not much but it should be in there.

[Roger]

I am not sure they welcome so many questions...
Yes, overtime pay is substandard; then again in that backwater it is their right to define it.

I disagree with tarzaninchina over the visa issue; no one is legal on a business visa, neither for 6 months nor for fewer or more. You always need a work visa, full stop. And, with a work visa comes a legal contract that stipulates your airfare and most benefits.

In general, I would say accept this contract if you are happy with the employer. Whether they pay for your utilities or not - that's peanuts, really. You can live off your 4500 loot quite comfortably.

[yaco]

I can assure you Roger that utility bills are not cheap in Jiangsu province.

Heating expenses can be expensive due to the extremely cold winters.

[struelle]

[Brian Caulfield]

The job is with Jiangtze South University . The teachers don't seem to stay long . They are mostley retired people with incomes coming in from their home country . They don't seem to care if you are a teacher .
The teachers who left this year complained of the cold . The classrooms were not heated and the dormitories were also cold . Maybe because they are old and feel the cold I don't know .
The teachers who I met and moved on to other schools in China said their health improved because there is less polution outside of Wuxi . I agrre my consumption of antihistmines is very high here .