Job Discussion Forums

cammer408 · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Datong, China

I will be going to teach English in Datong in August. Here are a couple of concerns of mine. These are probably broad questions, but hopefully enough people will contribute abbreviated answers that I can combine to get all the info I need. First, what can I expect in Datong (living conditions, weather, transportation, etc.)? From what I understand, I will be making about $465 a month for 20 hours of teaching a week. Being from the US, that sounds like an exceptionally small amount of money. I have been told that the cost of living is a lot less in China, but is it that much cheaper? What are some specific prices I should expect to pay for food, clothing, etc. while there?

wonderd · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Shanghai, China

My first question to you is why did you start this thread three times?

Well, let me whip out my currency converter. You say 465 a month. So that's what? 3720 Yuan a month. Being in Shanghai, I would say that's low. But looking at other people's posts, I've seen salaries in the same range.

If you're teaching in China to save or make some money, it's not going to be easy.

Now, do you get accomodations included? What about meal allowances, etc.

I don't really like talking about my salary. Just not something I'm that comfortable with, but it's close to three times that. But that includes my food allowance, housing allowance, travel allowance, and health.

Take a look around before choosing a place to teach. Good luck to you.

wonderd · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Shanghai, China

My first question to you is why did you start this thread three times?

Well, let me whip out my currency converter. You say 465 a month. So that's what? 3720 Yuan a month. Being in Shanghai, I would say that's low. But looking at other people's posts, I've seen salaries in the same range.

If you're teaching in China to save or make some money, it's not going to be easy.

Now, do you get accomodations included? What about meal allowances, etc.

I don't really like talking about my salary. Just not something I'm that comfortable with, but it's close to three times that. But that includes my food allowance, housing allowance, travel allowance, and health.

Take a look around before choosing a place to teach. Good luck to you.

wonderd · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Shanghai, China

Maybe you started the topic three times the same reason I just replied twice. Site is going really slow so I clicked submit reply twice.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Yes, the money is peanuts when converted to USD but in China, that's considered a lot of money. I don't know anything about Datong but unless it's as expensive as Beijing and Shanghai, you will find yourself being able to live like a king.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Yes, why start the same topic several times over???

Second: You forgot to indicate the nationality of your yuans ("$"), but I infer from the context that you were talking U.S> yens.
You think the salary offered is "low"? Have you done any research into living costs in CHina and the CHinese GDP?
I think you get what you deserve - which is more than the average Chinese person gets. YOu will be able to survive!

But why Datong?
THis is a virtually nondescript northern town. It's infamous for being home to a former Japanese concentration camp where they experimented medically on CHinese prisoners.
It lies in a coal-mining area, and the pollution will be overpowering for you.

If you mispronounce "datong" you might be heard saying "I want to shag that lady..."

cammer408 · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Datong, China

The first two times I clicked the submit button, I got a message saying the connection to the database could not be completed. Apparently it had. One other question I forgot: Will I have access to my Yahoo and Hotmail accounts while in China, or will I have to get a new Email address? In response to your questions, wonderd, housing is supplied, and I will get a food allowance.

cujobytes · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:36 am Post subject: Datong.

Do you know which Datong? There are 14 provinces with a Datong in them.

peabocardigan · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 63

It seems kind of strange that you would commit to a job without knowing much about the value of your salary or your costs in that particular place. However, here is my take:

You will able to live a fairly comfortable life with that kind of money since you are not in any of the big, booming cities. Since you won't pay rent (or will you?) and have a food-allowance as well you'll be more than alright for money, unless you are planning to live a grand life there. You can easily eat for about a dollar or two (US) a day. You can make a lot more than that in China though...

Good luck with your research. Hope it's not too late...

P

evaforsure · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1217

Roger is a fountain of mis information..this is a low wage.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Midlothian Mapleheart · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 623 Location: Elsewhere

Edited to remove offensive content.

Middy

joe greene · Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 200

peabocardigan · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 63

No reason to be hostile here I think.

Roger merely said that cammer48 will be able to survive, which is exactly right. It's not a gigantic FT salary but probably double of what his Chinese colleagues will be making. Our wages here are massively inflated because otherwise they would not be able to hire whities to begin with. Nothing to do with abilities or skills though. There's an interesting thread on wages in China elsewhere in this forum.