Job Discussion Forums

[Woolly]

I have an opportunity to do some part time teaching at a kindergarden, perhaps 1 or 2 days a week, but as yet have no indication of the pay. Can anyone give some suggestions as to what is reasonable? I've heard that 100RMB per hour is pretty standard for private or part time teaching round here, but if the lessons are only 20 minutes long, it seems not really worth it. Would it be better to ask for a daily/ half daily rate?

The kindergarden is in Wuhan, and it is an ordinary one rather than a hugely expensive private school. I hear they've had foreign teachers before.

Thanks,
W.

[Steppenwolf]

Since CHinese misunderstand the concept of kindergartens as another form of boot camp school they treat employees there in much the same way as at schools; expect the same hillariously silly ideas of you using a "book" and teaching from your book even though your lovelies can't read and write English...

Anyway, you can expect approx. the same pay, i.e. 100 an hour (if it is more take it without compunction).
What's different is that kindies have much shorter class periods, namely 20 to 30 minutes.

You will often have several classes back to back - so be prepared for some really strenuous shifts!

[sheeba]

I work part time at a kindy. I get paid 500 yuan for 4 hours and I have a nice old Chinese man (who I practice Chinese with)collect me in the minibus and return me to my doorstep.

Our Kindy uses Total Physical Response methods mainly and we are following a TPR book but they don't expect the kids to read(not in my class anyway). They pretty much let me do what I want but give me the cards that they want covered in each lesson. I've had a few good ideas from people on this forum already and build my own ideas based on what gets the kids going. I have grown to quite enjoy the classes even though as Roger says it is hard work. 4 hours a week with this age group is plenty for me !!

I use a lot of physical exercises in my classes. Get the kids moving their arms in circles slowly and then quickly, acting out scenarios slowly and quickly, singing quietly and then loudly .

Good luck

Good luck.

[No Moss]

Ah, the joy of teaching kindergarten (and I'm not being facetious!). I love the little tykes, mainly because their emotions are so honest and so close to the surface.

Ahem, anyway, 150RMB per hour of elapsed time (i.e., for every hour you're there, as opposed to every hour you're teaching) would be about right in Shenzhen. You need to make sure what they're calling an hour in any case.

If you haven't taught kindy before, it's helpful to know some songs and some games. I have big story books and flash cards. But most important, don't be afraid to improvise and do kind of off-the-wall stuff. One of my most successful routines became my warmup--I used to go around the room with a tambourine, shaking it alternately loudly and softly, and finally using it to touch the kids light on the head. I know it sounds stupid, but they loved it.

Anyway, if you're a ham, or if you have any ham in you, you'll love kindy work. And you'll learn just how complex and human little kids are.

BTW, it's kindergarten with a "t", which is German for "child's garden".

[sheeba]

Like the tambourine one No Moss. Just gotta find me one in this Jungle!

Amazing how many FT's spell Kindergarten with a 'd'.

[sheeba]

And what's 'a ham?'

[kev7161]

A "ham" is someone who likes to act, sing, be silly - - sometimes likes being the center of attention. Example: "Oh look, Charlie's at the karaoke machine again. He's such an old ham!" or "Betsy is so funny. She really likes to ham it up, doesn't she?"

[KidfromBrooklyn]

100 RMB was the "norm" in 1997-1998, Schools constantly use this number as a starting point. Remember in China everything is negotialble.

Even contracts in midstream are negotialble by chinese standards and it is not unheard of to renegotiat in the middle of a semester.

This thought will shock some FT's of western background but in china it is perfectly normal.

PM me if you wish.

[sheeba]

Oh. I see . Thanks Kev. You do need to "ham it up" don't you ! That's what takes the energy .

[Woolly]

Thanks for all the helpful replies (and spelling corrections ). I still haven't met with anyone from the school, but now I feel far more prepared for what to expect.

Cheers,
W.