Job Discussion Forums

restless · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 14

A contact has put me in touch with fudan uni. shanghai, I am just finishing my tesol p.g.cert at mq uni sydney. My lecutrere feels there is something strange about fudan accepting me for teaching position, and being asked to desing my own writing course,
I would appreciate anyone's input about fudan, working conditions, what to expect,
I've tried negotiating re;salary, no room to move, so what are the expected class hours?
thanks everyone
btw Just a newbie,
restless

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

Fudan's the top university in Shanghai. Someone with less than a masters being offered a position does sound strange, but if it's legit it could open doors for you.
Macquarie's post grad. TESOL courses are highly regarded: this could be relevant.

restless · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 14

Hey, that's what my lecutrere said, you dont' have a masters, which really undermined my confidence,
I understand that our certificate is well regarded in the field, and that my contact is a close associate of fudan,
is this a genuine offer?
I would really love to hear from someone who has first hand experience,
thanks everyone
restless Confused

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

Though it's not first-hand experience, I still feel qualified to say that:

It's a Chinese university, nothing of much note outside China. If you are qualified to teach ESL/EFL, even without a Masters degree in anything, they (the university) ought to be grateful for acquiring your pedagogical services.

restless · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 14

that is a confidence booster, Smile

gaining my tesol degree has taken hard work and a long time and costly, would hate to think it doesn't qualify me for work?!

fitzgud · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 148 Location: Henan province

It may qualify you, alas it will do nothing to prepare you for dealing with the mentality of Chinese students. For they will confront you with their inbuilt zero interest, and total lack of enthusiasm.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

restless · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 14

Chinese students are a mixed bunch,
I'm learning mandarin with cantonse chinese class mates, same level of motivation dedication
I'm teaching english at uni to international chinese students, different levels of laziness/motivation,

as a teacher the hard part is to be responsible for the student outcomes, when student won't do any of the work, when you see results, that's a motivating expreience for teacher and learner

anyhow, i guess i'll wait and learn,
rookie Wink

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

restless · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 14

HI esl studies
i feel this is genuine offer, my contact is an academic from usyd, and the offer is not too good to be true, as you'll see from the terms,

1. You will receive a monthly salary of 4 ,500RMB.
2. You will receive 2200 RMB vacation allowance at the end of his or her service.
3. You will be provided with a one-way air ticket of economic class from Shanghai directly back to his or her home state, or take 6000 RMB instead as airplane allowance at the end of his or her service.
4. You will be provided with a free apartment, including a sitting room, a bedroom, a kitchen and a restroom.
5. You will enjoy free medical care with the exception of registration fee and chronic diseases.
The working load is 14 periods per
> week. Each period lasts 45 minutes. There are two semesters within an
> academic year. Each semester lasts 20 weeks.
>
> Usually teachers are encouraged to offer English writing and speaking
> courses, three or two courses in each semester
maybe a little low, but they're not moving, can't do much from this end Embarassed

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

Is it a single semester, as the one way airfare indicates?
Otherwise, its pretty standard fare for a university contract.
Some will say the salary is too low for Shanghai; indeed, I was earning double that there three years ago. Most SH unis pay around 5K though.
However, the deal in China is the more prestigious the institute, the more moderate the pay. 4,500 with housing, utilities and probably lunches will see you comfortable, if not wealthy. If you need some extra cash, moonlighting on the back of Fudan could double that salary quickly.
I think its genuine, and in your shoes I'd jump at it. Others may disagree, but I have 3 years uni teaching in Shanghai to back my claim of local knowledge.
btw, I've never seen a job advertised at Fudan. I think its all done through the old boy network.
Very British, that!

In terms of the course they're asking you to teach, it sounds like someone put your name up there, as its hardly a random contact. Find out, as far as you can, exactly what they want and prepare yourself thoroughly. Macquarie was a good place to do post grad TESOL for me, so best of luck, and keep us updated.

laodeng · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 481

If you're not terribly careful, you'll end up teaching classes of the do-nothing Korean students that represent a significant profit center for Fudan. Make the school (if you can) be very specific on this point. These are not the students on which Fudan has built its reputation.

restless · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 14

Esl studies, thanks for your input! how did you find the mq uni tesol course? and how did you arrange your o/s posting?

i think the salary is a little low, as far as i can tell by comparing jobs advertised online (it is a two way fare for 2 semesters) but I don't know whether to insist too much, becuase of my contact, i don't want him to lose face. I am trying to find out all i can about the course, materials, student standard,
if you can suggest relevant questions, i'm open to all,

Laodeng I haven't heard about Korean students, i will inquire, thanks for pointing that out to me,
and thank you for your encouragement, you probably remember it's nerve wracking for beginners

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

Restless,

I live quite a distance from Shanghai and make close to your salary. I'm quite certain that life is much less expensive here than Shanghai.

Regarding your concern about your friend's face, be careful. These folks are master manipulators. Many think of FTs as chattel to be used, traded, abused, and so forth. What are you more concerned about, your friend's face or your own behind?

Without knowing more about your contact, it's hard to say. If he/she is a Chinese person with whom you have a casual relationship, be careful.

On the other hand, you have to start somewhere, and this could be a good opportunity.

daodejing · Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 39

I would just like to add their your teaching hours are pretty light and that you could easily supplement your teaching salary with private lessons at 200-300 yuan per hour. Housing + 4500 is livable in SH, but you can't save any money. I guess the important questions is: how much do you like to drink cocktails in bars and clubs? I find that it's not so much the cost of living, but rather the fact that there's actually cool stuff to do at night.