Job Discussion Forums

[parsifal]

Hi All!
I'm new to the forum & just wanted to try & build up a better picture of the whole ESL China experience. I've read quite extensively through the site & dipped into a few threads, but apologies if this is old ground well-trodden in the past.
My situation is this - I'm a British citizen, early 30's, currently living in NZ, I have a B.A (Hons.) in English Lang & Lit from Oxford, & some limited teaching experience ( taught English to Spanish students for a few weeks some years back...)
I've been considering coming to China to teach English - initially on a short-term basis, (3-6 months say) to see how I like it. Obviously, one main priority is money...so I've been checking out areas like Beijing & Guangdong where the wages seem higher. I realise that ESL in China isn't a license to print money, but 5000 to 6000 RMB is less than 100 quid a week! OK if you want to compare to average Chinese wages, but....
Is there any point in doing this kind of work if you want to save & send money back to the West? And if not China, what other Asian countries pay more?
I realise most of you will reply & say that the whole cultural experience is a big part of doing this work - and I agree - but I'd like to send a good chunk of filthy lucre home every month to beef up our NZ bank account too


Thanks.

[go_ABs]

Hi there,

This ground is well trodden, but since I haven't been here forever I'll bite at this before you get told off by older regulars.

China is one of the worst paying ESL markets in Asia. You will fare better in Taiwan, Korea or Japan, if money is the most important thing.

However, to earn that money in those other places, you are likely to work more hours each week. With your qualifications you won't have much trouble finding a legit job in any of those places.

The idea about doing it short term first is a good one, but be aware that you're unlikely to get any airfare reimbursement for 3 months. The usual deal is half the airfare after 6 months, the whole thing after 12. And there's usually a cap on the airfare, which didn't come close to covering it for me (coming from NZ).

I am able to save money here each week, but it depends on lifestyle. There's quite a few threads going about money in China at the moment. Check them out. From my POV saving here is easy, but I live in a small, quiet town where opportunities to spend money are few.

Other people will be better qualified to say about living expenses than me, since I've only been in China. But my impression is that other countries will pay better, but your living costs are higher. Nevertheless you'll probably save more money in Taiwan, Japan or Korea, rather than China. Oh, and consider Hong Kong, too.

Overall it's up to you. But I'm quite happy here. I work about 12-14 hours a week, get paid well for it, and the biggest problem I encounter on a day to day basis is boredom. That's where Dave's comes in...

PM me if you like.

Cheers,

[parsifal]

Hey, thanks. I know it's a chore for regulars of ANY board to read posts like mine, but sometimes just criss-crossing previous threads can leave you more confused than before you arrived. And it's a BIG ole site to wander around with all the various forums.
I've looked into Korea & Japan as well as China and, you're right, it's a case of deciding which - on balance - is going to suit best. I'm all too used to living on a small amount of money ( I'm a musician/recording engineer
) so saving money won't be a problem wherever I am I shouldn't think.
OK...on with the hunt.