Job Discussion Forums

White Widow · Joined: 26 Oct 2003 Posts: 26

I recently completed a TESOL course at Oxford House College in Prague, and am planning to find a job in China starting in January. Internet discussion forums and books like Teaching English Abroad have been very helpful, but I was hoping to tap into the collective wisdom of the teachers here.

It is my impression that private langauge schools tend to pay more but are generally less reliable in terms of sticking to the contract, paying on time, and faithfuly representing themselves. Is this true? The prospect of an additional 10 hours of office work and multiple "English Corners" is unappealing to me. Money is not a major concern for me, so would it be wiser to find a job with a public university? I have a BA in Economics and Political Science in addition to my TESOL degree. Are these qualificiations sufficient to get a good job at a public university?

Specifically, I am concerned that I may be asked to work beyond the 20-25 teaching hours per week. Is there any way I can prevent this from happening, or is it the luck of the draw? Also, without any professional history, will I be able to baragin for contract modifications, like adding specific penalties for breach of contract, or specifying exact days of salary payment?

Beyond this, any advice from seasoned veterans would be really appreciated. Basically, what would you do if you were me - living in the US and looking not to get ripped off fiding your first teaching job in China?

Thanks!!

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

If money is not an issue, then YES, go for an established public university. Your hours shouldn't be any more than 16 a week, with perhaps one English corner. Accomm, return airfare for a 1 year contract, utilities [except phone], visa and medical costs, some free meals, basic medical should all be included. Your qualifications should be sufficient to land something reasonable. www.chinatefl.com is a useful starting point, as it links to the homepages of the schools listed. Salaries are generally low however.

White Widow · Joined: 26 Oct 2003 Posts: 26

Thanks for the reply. Is it worthwhile to just gather contact information for universities that sound interesting and send them my CV, or should I only persue institutions that advertise an opening?

Also, what are the chances I could find a 6/7.5 month contract? I would like to also spend a semester as a student studying in China at one of several schools.

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

If you want to start Feb/Mar, start applying now; otherwise, just go fishing as you suggest.
Single semester work is often available, with reduced airfare, Some Unis on the site I gave offer Chinese courses for foreigners, so you may be able to combine study and part-time work.

sojourner · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 4:18 am Post subject:

Hi WW,

Yes,the best salaries appear to be in the private language schools.Also,I have been advised that the teaching resources are usually reasonable and classes tend to be much smaller than in tertiary institutions.I'm currently working in a tertiary college in Jiangxi province.My classes are quite large (in the 40s) and the teaching resources are v.poor.But, my teaching load is only around 16 hours pw.My classes are arranged, in a way, in that I am able to get 1 and a half days off pw,M-F.My holidays are quite good: about 4 weeks in January/February,about 8 weeks for the summer break,as well as two breaks of 1 week each.My salary is about 4 K per month.By comparison in a private language school,I believe that you may be required to work at least 20 hours pw,and that the annual holidays are pretty pathetic in comparison to what unis/colleges offer. I am supplied with my own spacious furnished flat,on campus.In many language schools, I believe,you may be required to share a flat with other teachers.

However, I consider that one of the main benefits of working in a tertiary institution is that one is not exposed to the demands of the market place in the same way as language school teachers tend to be.In the latter places, the school bosses (who are usually not teacher-qualified) may ask you to "make your lessons more interesting" should he/she feel that parents are "not happy with your classes".

With your qualifications, you may fortunate enough to be required to teach something like 'Western Culture' or 'English-speaking Societies',as well as the 'usual' subjects such as Oral English.This is what has happened to me this term - it's great !

It's possible to be offered a 6 months (ie 1 term contract);but you would probably be reimbursed for only half of your return air-fare.

Yes,you may be "expected" to attend 'English Corner' once a week - but because I am enrolled in an online university course,no one has yet complained of my absences.

In contractural negotiations,if you are promised anything that is not in the (standard) contract,ask the college/uni to draw up a fresh contract;or, at the very least, ask that they include the new conditions in an addendum,to be signed by all parties.

Please feel free to contact me should you require any further info.

Best luck for the future.

Regards,

Peter

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Private institutes hire when the market compels them to act; often they hire first come first taken, and they may dawdle over applying for your work visa with a view of luring a competitor so as to weed out "chaff" - the weaker of the two of you! This is not too common but it does happen when there is high demand for English classes (as, for instance , when several companies ask for in-house training). You will then be paid an hourly wage, and promised a full-time job "as soon as possible" -n maybe months away!
Fulltime employment often comes with a number of office hours - so as to prevent you from taking up extra work. ALso, you are a decorative office pet that acts as a living advertisment.

Public schools often take you on board on an hourly-wage basis too until they sign you up on a contract. At least, if they do sign you up you know your own shelf life - it's written out in the contract. Until that time, you are fairly protected, and won't have to put in overtime (usually). Housing can be pleasant, on campus, where it's quiet and relatively clean. There is a modicum of organised social life. WOrking in a private school, on the other hand, you will have to fend for yourself in your time off, although your employer will perhaps visit you when it suits them (or open the door to your flat in your absence).
Public schools remunerate you during your mandatory holidays; private schools offer pay on a limited number of annual holidays!

Another downside to working in private schools is the frequent need to commute; even if corporate customers provide transport you are going to spend extra time with no extra income!
Your students change all the time - every two months, courses begin again. There is hardly any continuum.
Many students are demotivated - personnel whose employers pay for their tuition, or kids whose parents foot the bill.
The only intersting customers I can imagine there are the self-paying adults!

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

Just a PS; have a look at Shanghai Finance College on www.chinatefl.com You could do much worse. I say this because you're an economics major, and a few years back when I considered a job there they were very professional in their approach. Things can change though!

sojourner · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 8:20 am Post subject:

Minhang Oz,

Thanks for the website.

Re the college you referred to,they appear to offer one a one-way ticket only . Is this becoming the general practice now ? If so,it's v.worrying.

I came across another place,the Shanghai College of Electricity and Machinery, who were offering up to 8000 RMB,albeit for about 24 hours pw. Sounds ok.They specified an age limit of 50 years - is this v.common in China ? If so,how strict are they re this requirement ?

Also,how reliable is this particular recruiter ?

Regards,

Peter

Minhang Oz · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 610 Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin

China TEFL do act as a recruiter if you ask them to; otherwise just go straight to the school via their contact details. The airfare thing has no hard and fast rule, just a recommendation schools can follow if they like. You'll often find something to compensate, eg, shorter hours or higher salary. I'll PM you with some other information.

sojourner · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 8:28 am Post subject:

Minhang Oz,

Thanks, that was quick !

Peter

Explorer · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 42 Location: China

Quote: There is hardly any continuum.
Many students are demotivated - personnel whose employers pay for their tuition, or kids whose parents foot the bill.
The only intersting customers I can imagine there are the self-paying adults!

The supposition that those who pay are motivated is partially true, but the conclusion that those who get a fre ride are not interested is false.

My corporate students attend classes at company expense but on their own time, and they are more motivated to learn than many of the kids whose parents -- or taxpayers -- foot the bill.

The quest for knowledge is keyed to money only when you must pay to obtain it. When it is offed gratuitiously -- with the string attached that you become more productive and useful -- only a fool or pretender would attend class without trying to learn. The bulk of them are there to better themselves.

As a university employee I had free tuition for more than 10 years, and have yet to hear -- though on this discourse I probably will -- that I am demotivated or uninteresting. The same applies to my Chinese learners who are siezing whatever opportunities that are presented to them.