Job Discussion Forums

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Why are so many qualified teachers working for peanuts in China?

I just got offered a a 4 month contract 4 thousand AUD a month plus expenses.

There are good jobs out there don't sell yourself short.

mondrian · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:41 am Post subject:

Nice going!
what are you teaching?
and where?

rocketboy · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 46 Location: China

Yeah, that's sound ok. nice work with that gig.

Can you tell us how you got the job and where do we look for one?

Do you mean by qualified teacher as in one went to university and studied to be a real techer. In that case there's plenty of work in the international schools. Or anyone with a degree in anything will do, can pick up these high paying jobs. Because as I've seen it here if you are not a real teacher like back in laowai land your stuck with those 4000rmb a month gigs, working for peanuts as you put it.

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

They pay peanuts because they hire monkeys?

Negotiate for bananas.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

Yes I am a properly qualified teacher.

The thing is i see all these jobs out there that pay very poorly and i wonder why anyone would take them when there are obviously good paying gigs around.

BTW This is not an international school, and it is through an Australian recruitment agency.

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

Being a properly qualified teacher automatically puts you in an entirely different league from most of the teachers who post on here. You'll find very few teachers who are liscenced to teach in their home countries working for 4k a month out here.

Leon Purvis · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:50 am Post subject:

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

some of the international schools will hire unlicensed teachers but will use it as an advantage to pay less...

In BIBS the going rate is around 15000USD per year if your licenced or maybe a little more if hired stateside...but the reality is after taxes and what not..it often reads a lot lower...without a licence..12000USD per year...

At Yew Chung...I have seen contracts for 30000RMB per month..but of course a job like this comes with baggage..such as the moral rules in place...
A new International School in Changchun, has offered 28000USD per year but will cut it to around 20K due to tax/cost....

TEAM_PAPUA · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1679 Location: HOLE

I just got offered a a 4 month contract 4 thousand AUD a month plus expenses.

Is that good? Very Happy

Laoshi1950 · Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 198 Location: Australia

Well, RMB24000 a month is a good teacher salary in China. However, you were not clear about the other issues associated with this figure.

Whether it can be considered "good", or not, depends on such factors as: how many work hours a week are expected; whether there is night and weekend work required; whether you have to pay for your own accommodation and utilities; what the age group of the students will be; how serious your employer is about achieving high quality measurable outcomes ; and so on.

Without these accompanying details, it will be hard for members of this board to make any informed comments about the salary package on offer to you.

saint57 · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject:

happyc · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 12

I recently completed a 2 year contract at Yew Chung International School (Shanghai). The pay was comparable with other international schools; but I think new teachers should be aware the pay is actually dropping at Yew Chung (though unsure if this is still happening). When I started there it was a bit of a kick in the teeth to find we were getting paid approx. 20% less than the teachers hired the previous year. Also, as someone else mentioned- Admin there are SHOCKING!! The Australian Principal and also, the Head of School, run the Gubei campus like a dictatorship and God help anyone who questions their authority. I was embarrassed to call myself an Aussie.

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

chinahopeful · Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

If you don't mind me asking, how did you find such a lucrative position? Most of the jobs I see posted are advertized at around 4000 a month. I've been told that you need to committ to at least a 1 year contract for the international schools and better paying jobs. I'm a fully certified teacher in Canada and I have a Masters in English. I can only come to China in January though, and am not 100% sure I will be able to stay for the full year depending on what my boss here wants. Any advice is really appreciated!

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

If you cant obligate for a year..forget it....