Job Discussion Forums

[zombie_chris]

Afternoon all! Sorry to be posting such basic questions, but I think I broke the search function today

I've been asking around my friends who are teaching already in various places (NZ, Taiwan, Japan, S. Korea and China) and got a fairly mixed bag of opinions, facts and some fairly wild stories. Please forgive my ignorance and stupid questions - I've been getting a fairly mixed bag of stories, hearsay and opinions. I'm educated to degree level, and after visiting Beijing and Shanghai twice, I'm tentatively looking at teaching English in Beijing...So here's what I know so far.:

The going rate in somewhere like Beijing (where, ideally, I'd like to go) is going to be around 100 yuan/hour, however the adverts that I see on this site are for job of around 5/6 thousand yuan a month - is this a usual starting rate for a TEFL newbie like me?

A lot of places are full of tempting offers like free accomodation and a flight re-embursement, however I've heard off my friend in Shanghai who has been ripped off before that what'll happen is that I'll get sacked for some minor reason and they'll get out of paying for the flight - is this still the case, or have things changed?

The guy in Shanghai says that I should look for schools that are "co-owned, i.e. legit" - are there any reputable sources where I can apply for jobs at these co-owned schools?

Many thanks for any advice and suggestions. China really has gotten under my skin, and I'm aching to spend more time there...I do love the place and the people, but I'm also wary of the varying degrees of responsibility and honesty of Chinese entrepreneurs.

[Super Mario]

I only worked in two schools over a total of 5 years. Both were public, and both delivered exactly what was promised and more, in one case.
If returning to China, I'd only ever work in a public school.
You are worth whatever you can get, and there's much more to the country than the two cities you cite.

[kev7161]

Of course it could happen, but a teacher who comes to class on time, prepared, and presents the best lesson he can . . . won't get sacked in all liklihood. Also, if you think a school is not legit and is going to rip you off, there may be good indications at the beginning of your tenure. Many schools will pay you back 1/2 your airfare at Spring Festival time and then the final half at the end of your contract. There's no reason why you can't request this in your contract. Regardless, don't come here with empty pockets. Have back-up money . . . just in case.

[Yu]

It just depends. I think most people here do not have big problems.