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Gawain · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 66 Location: California

No Chinese government law forbids you from moonlighting, taking private tutoring students for extra income? Many contracts forbid this, but some contracts allow it?

At University where pay is so low and hours are so few, it seems logical to supplement this job with private tutoring of college students on campus.

University Y4,000/month 16 hour/week gig can be a dream job if you could triple that income by tutoring college students on campus. Would University contract forbid it? Does everyone moonlight anyway? Razz

saint57 · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 8:44 pm Post subject:

Tutoring college students at your own university is most likely out of the question. Your university would want a cut of the action. 4,000 RMB isn't for 16 hours. It's for 16 teaching hours which will require prep time. It's probably still a good way to go, but I wouldn't say you'll strike it rich.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:28 pm Post subject:

I have always taken many side jobs and never had a problem. At one school my Little Richard head FAO asked me numerious times to take side work for him and I always said no because i really didn't like him. Then one day he gave me a speech about how it was illegal for me to take side jobs and against the contract... Of course I laughed at him and walked away.

In another school, Dumb Chick FAO actually hooked me up with side jobs - that paid cash at the end of each class. She also got me to do private tutoring in my on campus apartment - again that paid cash after each class.

Does that answer any of your questions?

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I would specify in your contract for, say, 16 PERIODS as opposed to 16 HOURS of teaching. I did that last year and it made life SO much easier.

If you want to tutor on the side, it's better just to do it secretively and remain low-key about it. I imagine there are a lot of posters and readers here at Dave's that do just that.

jeffinflorida · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 12:01 am Post subject:

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

"In Jersey everything's legal, so long as you don't get caught" -Bob Dylan

My own contract specifically requires me to notify my employers if I take on extra work outside the contract, but that's because I negotiated the right to take such work (and the weekends free to do so). I've had other contracts that forbid it. I won't say that I did moonlight, but I won't say that I didn't either. Kev, as usual, makes the practical suggestion. Be secretive, don't get caught. Don't let it interfere with your primary employment. It's easier to overextend than you'd think.
As for the morality of moonlighting, I'll leave that to your better judgement.

pandasteak · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 166

some schools are ok with it, some aren't.

In any case, I say go for it.

Some tips from my personal experience:

1) if you intent to pursue classes outside, consider signing a part-time contract with the english school - that'll take care of your visa and housing (hopefully). And then fill the rest of your schedule with tutoring.

2) Try tutoring kids that AREN'T Chinese. (for example, koreans or japanese) They are likely to pay more, and less likely to haggle. And they'll introduce you to their friends who are new to China and can't find a tutor. But it takes some work to find this type of tutoring initially.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

pandasteak · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 166

diana83709

My husband and I work in Nanchong, Sichuan. We do teach privately with the permission of our schools and have been doing quite well. Recently, the school gave us an empty apartment, desks and chairs, to facilitate our private lessons and are in the process of prepping for new paint and deco. The only finances out of our pockets are the utility and phone line for this project. Teaching outside of your "day job" should be looked into as part of your contract negotiation and that is something you might consider. Good luck! James and Diana Smile

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

my standard SAFEA contract doesnt prohibit working outside my school, it just stipulates that if i do so i'm supposed to let my employer know that i'm doing it, or ask for permission. most people who moonlight or whatever you want to call it, just go out and do it, no contracts, paid cash weekly or after each lesson and noone else is the wiser as to whats going on. unlike places like korea, there's little chance of getting caught here doing outside work.