Job Discussion Forums

mr_cshaw · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Travelling

Hello,
I'm not entirely new to teaching but I am new to teaching english. Met a Chinese professor while I was hitching in NZ. Now I am following up on his invitation to teach at a college of his university in Changchun. The pay is good for China 100 RMB for a 45 min session and he will give me free housing. The college is 45 min out of the city center Confused

Thing is he seems so casual about it when I am reading all kinds of things on the web about visas, maximum currency conversion and other odd things about working in China. Am I being paranoid? I think I trust him. We did spend 3 hours in his car. Hell, I drove his car. He's a worldly guy with some ambition (and success) but I just don't know if I should just go for it and see how it unfolds.

I sent an email asking for a lot of specifics like class levels, curriculum, minimun hours, etc. Any thoughts? I've already read the diverging opinions about Changchun. Thanks. Very Happy

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Well, maybe you are bei9ng targeted for an easy ride, old sport! Who exactly is this professor? Has he hiring powers? Why? And is he going to provide you with the necessary documentation?

You would be surprised how many Chinese teachers now travel abroad - paid for by their schools! And en route they strike up a friendly talk with someone they lure to their home country to "teach". Well, you had better see the contract before you fly over here! A contract with a red chop on the bottom and a signature that's binding!

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

I believe another common tactic is a trail of candy leading to an open door - apparently lots of wolves here and not many grandmas - coming over here, so bring your big huntsmans chopper just in case Laughing

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

I suspect there is a fat fee for him if he recruits you. You think you know him because you spent three hours together? You do not. You are probably incapable of even conceiving of the deviousness of which he and his friends are capable.

Still, if you are in a position to pack up and leave your home for China, have a try. The potential for physical injury is slight. Most of the folks here either eschew violence or are cowards.

As long as you can write off the experience as a bust if it doesn't work out, you might have a good time.

foreignDevil · Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 580

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

There is some serious money to be made recruiting students to study in China. If the figures given by a recent poster accurately reflect the financial rewards of having an FT on board, it would make sense for a fat fee to be given to the one who gets the FT.

I was approached by a university to recruit students from overseas for their Chinese language program and offered a hefty fee per student. The school now has or had a group of several dozen from the West. The arrangements were made by a former graduate of their university now working in the West. He was paid handsomely for his services.

What puzzles me is why, with FTs being such a valuable commodity, are university presidents and language department heads so greedy when it comes to paying the FT? I considered getting back into "teaching" and was surprised by the whining and snivelling that took place during the hiring process. I really don't care to hear about how tough the school has it. English teaching is not a charitable work. If the school is not willing to pay decently, why should I work for them?

In one case, I was recruited by a teacher at the school in question. He seemed very eager to have me there. Must have been something in it for him, because there did not seem to be any personal admiration on his part for me. He did not hide his contempt well either.

Super Mario · Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject:

Roger wrote: