Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

Folks:

In 2005-2006, ghost worked in Taichung, Taiwan, and the basic pay was around $2000-$2300 U.S per month, for about 20 hours work a week, with one of the places giving a housing allowance covering most of the rent, meaning that it was easy to save at least $1000 a month.

What are the salaries like in China compared with Taiwan, and how much can one save?

In the past you heard about people working in China for about $500 U.S per month, with free housing, but surely with the rising economy there now, things and salaries are better? And why would anyone want to work for such a low salary, unless the quality of life were superb, which one hears is generally not the case in China for most teachers.

Are there jobs in China which pay about the same as Taiwan ($2000 U.S. or more per month for 20 hours work per week), or are the salaries still low?

Thanks for any information.

My qualifications: B.A., B.Ed., M.A., T.E.S.L. (certified Canadian teacher in Ontario and Quebec, with teaching specialty in ESL and FSL ).

ghost

[Francois]

Search.

[cj750]

[NathanRahl]

I am sure one "can" get the same, but for the majority I would say no.

[jammish]

As a certified teacher he could earn considerably more than that in China. He'd be looking at around 40,000 RMB per month, which is over 5000 USD, at the higher positions in international schools. Probably starting on around 30,000.

On the other hand, if he did just want to do a typical TEFL job, his 'certified teacher' status wouldn't make the blindest bit of difference. At my old school, there was one teacher who had a B.Ed and 10 years experience at a 'properrrrrr' school in Canada, and she was put on the same salary (4500 RMB per month) as an 18 year old kid who hadn't even been to do a first Degree. She didn't mind though, as she said she just wanted a relaxing year out.

[kev7161]

I would say that, sure, one "can" get a job like that, but the actuality of it is not common. Take a look at http://www.eslteachersboard.com as one example. Go to the jobs in China page. Look at all those jobs that are needing filled RIGHT NOW - - urgent, urgent, urgent! Now look at the average salaries for around 20 hours a week: 4000, 5000, maybe the occasional 7000 if you have a PhD or something. Now, go to "international" and look at Taiwan, Japan, S. Korea, etc.: $2000 a month (USD) or more for almost every job offer. Some places, of course, you have to pay your own way when it comes to living quarters and such. I hear living in Japan is VERY expensive (an $8.00 apple for example), so that almost $3,000 you are earning may not go very far. However, for a basic, non-penny(jiao)-pinching life in China, that five or six hundred dollars + free rent is also not going to go very far. I'm currently seeking job possibilities outside of China once my current contract has ended. If I do leave, I'll let you know and set you up with a fairly decent job teaching one group of kids (25 or less in the classroom), 3rd grade level (next year), 4 lessons a day, you fill in the holes with the schedule they give you, for a really decent pay. Same classroom, same kids for every lesson. English levels are fair to quite good. Keep watching this space.

[saint57]

[jammish]

[jammish]

From all I've read, for us normal TEFL/non qualified teachers, Korea sounds by far the best option. Most jobs pay around 3000 dollars per month with free house, and costs are much cheaper than japan from the sounds of it.

Only 2 problems with korea for me: my wife wouldn't fancy living there. It's got to be either back to the UK, or stay in China for her.

Secondly applying is a nightmare; I would have to post them my Degree and CELTA certs, and that's something I don't really want to do. They also require a full Degree results transcript, so I would have to faff about getting my old University to give me one.

[saint57]

Your school isn't in Dalian by any chance is it?

26,000 is closer to 20,000 than it is to 40,000. My friend works at a well known exclusive school in Shanghai. Tuition at her school would be the same as Shanghai American School. She makes 18,000 after taxes. She was damn lucky to get that job.

I will admit that some teachers who have master's degrees and are department heads at the top international schools would pull in 40,000. However, those positions really aren't to be talked about on this board.

[cj750]

I was offered 26 K at an international school in Beijing, I didn't take it....a co worker at Beanstalk of mine was offered 31 K at Yew Chang..but opted for Kin Star, and a