Job Discussion Forums

[hallamo]

Hi everyone,

I'm totally new to ESL teaching, and totally new to China as well, so I'm looking for as much help and advice as I can get before I head off to Beijing this summer!

I've been offered a position as an English Teacher (I declined the Director position, as it felt like too much responsibility and I'm just a beginner!!!). It's with a University in the Chaoyang district of Beijing. They've offered me help with getting my Z-visa and have sent a contract for me to look over. I've been going through it and have a few questions:

1) Is 5500 RMB per month a fair salary for 20 hours teaching a 5 hours prep/office time. They've offered me 50 RMB per extra hour that I do - eg helping prepare students for spoken exams etc.

2) They've mentioned in the contract that I shouldn't render services elsewhere without prior permission - does this mean Iwon't be able to supplement my salary by giving extra private lessons outwith the Uni?

3) There's mention of a breach penalty of 1500 - 2000USD - which appears to be 2-way, but also seems a little scary!

4) I do get basic medical - but only for emergency treatment, so I'll need my own comprehensive insurance I think

5) I get paid holidays

6) I get furnished accommodation, but am responsible for paying for my own internet access, gas, water and telephoen expenses

7) after a year I get 5000RMB towards my airfare home

8 - The school will take responsibility for getting my residence permit, foreigners expert, and will pay all fees. I am responsible for getting my Z visa, before coming to china and paying all fees.

Does this all seem fair? Should I accept this post? Are there any questions I should ask them? Can I negotiate to get them to pay my utilities and to allow me private teaching work??

Please help!!!

Halla

[31]

You are new but they offered you the director job?

The salary is in Chinese money but the penalty in USD?

Sounds dodgy doesn`t it or you wouldn`t be asking for advice here?

[hallamo]

The penalty is in USD - but payable in the RMB equivalent.

To be honest, after doing a bit of research, I was quite impressed with the fact they'd sent a contract and offered help getting the paperwork.

My concern was more that the deal being offered was fair and not a rip-off. Does this sound like a standard offer from a Chinese School/University or not?

[WYSIWYG]

[hallamo]

I'm probably not explaining very well! Here's the text, does it seem ok?

Breach Penalty
The party who fails to fulfill the contract obligations according to the terms stipulated should pay a breach penalty of USD 1500 to USD 2000(or the equivalent in RMB) except in the following conditions and others that may be mutually agreed upon. If Party B asks to cancel the contract due to events beyond his/her control, Party B must submit a valid certification or reasonable explanation such as a state of civil unrest or war, and obtain Party A�s consent to cancel the contract. Party A shall pay for Party B�s return expenses. If Party B cancels the contract without a valid reason, he/she shall pay his/her own return expenses and pay a breach penalty to Party A.
If Party A asks to cancel the contract due to events beyond its control, Party A must obtain Party B�s consent to cancel the contract. Party A shall pay Party B�s return expenses and one month�s severance pay. If Party A cancels the contract without valid reason, Party A should pay Party B�s return expenses and breach penalty to Party B. The appendix of this contract is a part of the contract and has equal effect. This contract takes effect on the date signed by both parties and will automatically terminate when the contract expires. If either of the parties asks for a new contract, a request should be forwarded to the other party 90 days prior to the expiration of the contract, and sign the new contract with mutual consent.

[WYSIWYG]

The contract seems pretty standard to me. Utilities/Internet costs aren't much.

Things I asked for:

1. My OWN, unshared apartment. I guess I'm too old to deal with roomies.
2. An example of the weekly schedule. 20 hours can quickly become like 50 if the class times are spread throughout the day (7am, 12pm, 6pm classes)

[Doglover]