|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
ellamarie
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 18
Location: Korea
|
 Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:50 pm Post subject: Newbie needs information on working in China. |
 |
|
I've been reading the posts here but I can't find the specific information I'm looking for. I want to teach overseas by next summer. I am planning to go to South Korea but in case that is not possible I need to have alternatives in mind.
I am interested in China but I don't know what the working conditions are like and what I qualify for. I am single, 28, I have a B.A. in English and about 7 years of experience teaching preschool. I also want to arrange a job before I leave the States. I can't afford to go there first and look.
So really, my questions are:
Can I find a job before landing in China?
What kind of teaching jobs am I qualified for?
What is the average salary for a new teacher?
Most importantly, will I be able to save money? I live paycheck to paycheck here and I am trying to get away from that. Living on a tight budget in a foreign country sounds very unwise and scary to me.
Any information would be much appreciated!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
tw
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
Posts: 3898
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:59 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie needs information on working in China. |
|
|
| ellamarie wrote: |
| I am interested in China but I don't know what the working conditions are like and what I qualify for. I am single, 28, I have a B.A. in English and about 7 years of experience teaching preschool. I also want to arrange a job before I leave the States. I can't afford to go there first and look. |
Your degree is more than enough to get you a teaching job in China. Your seven years of teaching preschool will help you greatly if you choose to teach little kids in a language training centre. Also, I strongly advice you to have a job secured before leaving China, i.e. enter China with a work visa.
| Quote: |
| Can I find a job before landing in China? |
Of course, but you have to decide whether it is a language training centre that you'd want to work at, or a middle school/college/university. If the latter, then you should be aware that most if not all schools have closed down for summer and nobody will be back in the office for a month. Therefore, don't expect anyone to reply to your e-mails let alone getting you the necessary documents. When they do return to the office, they might ask you to come to China with a tourist visa because they'd be in a hurry to get you here before the new term begins. Language training centres, on the other hand, pretty well hire eyar-round.
| Quote: |
| What kind of teaching jobs am I qualified for? |
Oral and conversational English and possibly written English. You might teach a course on Western culture. If you are lucky, you might get a job teaching a specialty field, e.g. business or science.
| Quote: |
| What is the average salary for a new teacher? |
That is one of the toughest questions to answer and it really varies from city to city, from region to region, and from employer to employer. You could be making for as little as 3000 RMB a month to as much as over 10,000 RMB a month. But it also depends on where you live and the higher salary might not mean much if the city has a high cost of living. Furthermore, you need to take into consideration how many classes you'd be teaching. The simple formula is to divide the salary by the number of hours teaching a week, then by 4 to get an hourly rate. A low salary would be somewhere around 45 RMB/hour.
| Quote: |
| Most importantly, will I be able to save money? I live paycheck to paycheck here and I am trying to get away from that. Living on a tight budget in a foreign country sounds very unwise and scary to me. |
I don't care what other people say, but yes you CAN save money in China. That said, you'll be able to save less and in a longer time in China than you would in Korea or Taiwan. Your money goes far here. How far? You can live on a 3,000 RMB salary (bottom of the pay barrel) in China as you would on a $3,000 USD salary in USA. Mind you, if you plan on buying a lot of DVD's, clothes, electronics, or dining out at Western restaurants and drinking in bars often, your money will disappear quickly. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mjlpsu
Joined: 03 Oct 2005
Posts: 128
Location: NJ to Shenzhen
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
I'd have to say ditto to tw.
Just make sure you research the school and location before agreeing to anything. Talk to current teachers at the school if you can. There are plenty of decent jobs here for someone with your qualifications.
And as for saving money... yes, certainly. I've managed to save about 25,000 RMB in the last 8 months, and I'd don't make THAT much. And I have spent quite a bit on vacations, beer, coffee, and cheese. It all depends on your lifestyle.
good luck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
