Job Discussion Forums

hoxymoron · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

Hello everyone.

I'm currently considering three teaching options in Qingdao, all of which begin at the end of this month so it's imperative I make a decision soon.

The first is at a university teaching conversation 18 hours per week for 4,000 RMB with allocated accommodation. The school assures me that I'll be able to find additional employment tutoring or teaching at another institution. Qingdao is a city around 1.5 million...how easy is it to find additional employment in such a city?

The second is at a language school teaching pre-school to adults rudimentary English for 15,000 RMB 30 hours per week with allocated accommodation. The salary is hefty but I hate teaching such a range of skills and ages.

The last is at a high school teaching EFL writing and speaking, what my experience is in. The pay is 8,000 RMB with NO allocated accommodation and the hours are 40+.

I've already applied for my visa, so all I need to do is pick one, get a flight and I'm there. I taught a year in Korea and decided to brave the difficulties of teaching in China. I'm rather apprehensive. Any information or reassurance would be greatly appreciated.

Trish Flurman · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 92

Do not go to Qingdao University of Science and Technology - that's all I'll say here based on my best friends boyfriend's experience.

Are you sure the 15,000 job is actually licensed to have foreign teachers?

As for the high school.....................

Only you can decide - what do you want? You choose.

However, how can you have applied for a visa if you have no job offer or accepted a job? It's clear, based on that, that you don't understand the legal requirements about visas. It is illegal to teach with a visitor L visa. If you come on that visa you must, technically, leave China to go get a proper visa.

hoxymoron · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

Trish Flurman · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 92

Remember that an L visa cannot be converted or changed into any other visa according to the law. The only option in that case is to leave China - usually to Hong Kong - and get a proper work visa at that time.

cj750s · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:01 am Post subject:

You already have surpassed the former poster's advice and it seems you have a good handle on the requirements. Go with the money. If placing standards in a job search why go for the unknown such as accommodations, extras when you have no criteria for judging. Money spends the same universally and is the only standard that transcends borders and culture. A thirty hour week is normal and a good work week to boot...good luck.

kungfucowboy83 · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 479

imo the university jobs in qingdao pay crap wages and have bad reputations. most of the decent private languge schools will pay 8K-10K these days for 20 hours but get your own apertment (less than 2000 for a furnished 2 bedroom that is a 10-15 min bus ride from dowtown is easy to find ).

If you want to work 40+ hour a week there are a few international schools around all of wich will do better than your last choice and a few seem to be hiring

as for private teaching there is a fair amount downtown you shouldn't have a problem getting 100-125 in schools maybe 100-150 for privates.

James S is the guy to talk to about the private tutoring aspect if he is willing to share his secrets .