Job Discussion Forums

Angel Puppy · Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 5

Which cities or schools are offering the highest EFL salaries in China now? I saw on another board that some schools in Shanghai and Beijing are offering 15,000 RMB/month.

What's the highest salary for EFL teachers in China now? I know the salary increases with TESOL/TEFL qualifications.

Per Scott · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 10

If you can work 30 hours a week, you can make over 10,000 in a few places. Just check to see if the school has a license first (to hire foreign teachers). Is the apt. shared? Are the vacations paid ? Look at the details.

There are a fair number of school that pay around 5,000 for 16 classes a week (about 12 hours). If you want a lot of money, you'll probably have to either take some considerable risks or work your tail off. And don't equate 30 hours in China with 30 hours in Korea or Japan at a private school with small classes.

ivytony · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:20 am Post subject: Re: Highest Salary

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

Hong Kong is the highest paying city in China.

amandabarrick · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 391

From what I have heard and seen, I believe cities in Taiwan may be pretty close or higher paying than Hong Kong. It depends on if you count Taiwan as part of China.
AB

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

Actually, I don't think that, on the whole, Taiwan does have any higher paying posts than HK. However, even if it did, I would not include Taiwan in this comparison as it is as about Chinese as China Town in London. Even Beijing itself only sometimes refers to Taiwan as constituting part of China (as evinced by their stating that the tallest building in China is in Shanghai - obviously the 101 tower in Taipei - the tallest in the world - for some reason does not count, at least not in this particular regard).

no_exit · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 565 Location: Kunming

I was looking at a job in Xiamen offering 12,000RMB a month, about 30 hours a week. I guess big cities on the east coast can offer these kinds of salaries for people who are willing to put in a lot of hours.

Highest paying job in my province (Yunnan) is about 6000 a month. Again, this is for close to 30 working hours a week. Is it a fair trade? Kunming is a whole lot nicer than say, Shenzhen ... Cool

Horizontal Hero · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:14 pm Post subject:

Wall street offer about 18 000. I was offered a job there, but turned it down. I was offered a job for 12 000 in Ningbor also, for some company that was into international fashion. Turned that down too. I met some guys working in Chengdu for Ace, clearing 20 - 30 000 a month, but working their butts oiff.

Then of course there are the international schools - you can get over 40 000 a month as a local hire in some schools. But those of course, are real jobs.

Some NETS in HK are earning close to 60 000 a month.

Ralf · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:16 am Post subject: Just calculate

Hi everyone,
I personally doubt any income above 20K or so, at least in mainland China and if you are not teaching a very rare subject.
As a part-time teacher, you get normally 100 RMB per hour, so if you work 40 hours a week, you can reach 16k a month. As I make almost this amount by having almost such a workload (having a main job plus part-time), I would say this number is realistic.
Anyhow, if you know a place where one can make 30K or more, please keep me posted - my current contract expires end of July, and I would appreciate any real and better offer Smile

Ralf

Volodiya · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:12 am Post subject:

I guess people will always be interested in this kind of discussion. Bottom line, work more, earn more, but....

That top salary "no exit" mentioned for Kunming works out to only about 50 RMB/hour, for 30 hours/ week- ouch!

As for working longer contact hours- like 30, or even 40, as some posters mentioned- my experience has been that with prep time and administrative time added, there is going to be a decline in quality of work, life, and mental health! with the longer hours. I worked 36 contact hours/week for a two month stretch, one summer. Even after cutting down my prep time, I was beginning to get a little crazy near the end. I had so much contact with "language", that sentences were beginning to form spontaneously, in my mind, even when I wasn't teaching! It's no way to live, long-term.