Job Discussion Forums

[smuvkat25]

Greetings,

I am currently working on my M.Ed. In TESOL in the US and I was wondering if some of the veterans could fill me in on newbie payscales for someone coming to China with a year of ESL teaching experience. Furthermore, I will have a student loan amount of 200 US dollars / month.

With 1-year experience (ESL) under my belt, could I make enough in China to live comfortably, sock a few bucks away and pay my bill for my student loans every month? Also, I hear it is pretty easy to get privates in China. Can someone expel this myth if it is not true?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Regards,


Nick from Cleveland, Ohio USA

[Eyrick3]

I put at least $500 away every month, and I still manage to live quite well.

There are small things that count: buses over taxi's, eating with locals as opposed to in western restaurants, drinking at restaurants instead of expensive bars, and, of course, location, location, location.

There's no doubt that I wouldn't be saving this money if I was living anywhere else. I've been in Harbin, Beijing, and, now, a smaller city in the south. Harbin was by far the least expensive city I've lived in, but my current place of residence is a close second. I saved little money in Beijing and have heard similar things about Shanghai.

[Anda]

In general for someone new here in China with just one year of experiance the answer would have to be no. You could exist and do it if you were somewhere like Shanghai with quite a bit of luck. But take today I sent about $750 to the US for something I wanted and it cost 5,500 RMB which is 1000 more than I earn in a month. Send $200 a month and live the life here? Ho, ho! in most locations.

[kungfucowboy83]

it all dends on you

what kind of job you get
what kind of spending you do
etc

in a 4500rmb/month job in beijing no
in a 11000rmb/monthjob in hebei easy
in a 14000rmb a month job in shanghai probably

[smuvkat25]

Thanks for all the replies.

As far as my spending goes, I'm pretty thrifty. I do enjoy the occasional beer and night out. However, I'm not a party animal. As far as jobs are concerned, what am I looking at for salary given my experience (1 year ESL)? ***NOTE: Looking for a balance between big city/burbs***

Any suggestions.

Much appreciated.

np

[smuvkat25]

Do you teach privates? How's that market in your area? I hear China has a ton of potential in that department. I would think I would need to supplement my income with tutoring/privates on the side to bank some extra cash and pay of my student loans . . .


np in cleveland, ohio usa

[smuvkat25]

Kungfucowboy83 ,

You mentioned: in a 4500rmb/month job in beijing no
in a 11000rmb/monthjob in hebei easy
in a 14000rmb a month job in shanghai probably . . .

. . . can I find a job @ 10,000 rmb + with 1-year experience in hebei?

I have looked at many different posts on this forum and find many conflicting reports. Could you shed some light? What's the range of salaries in hebei w/ 1-year experience.


Thanks.

np in cleveland, ohio usa

[7969]

if saving money was one of my top priorities, i wouldnt come to china.

at any rate, if you do come here, do yourself a favour and make sure you have a healthy bank account that enables you to get out of your job and into a new one or back home if things go sour, as they occasionally do.

if youre interested in a decent job i may have an idea for you. send me a message.

[smuvkat25]

Anda,

Thanks for the information. I know that I have posed questions that have been asked a hundred times, but as you know - it is good to do your homework. When you don't have anyone on the inside, it makes life a little more challenging.

I take it that is your email? I'll shoot a message over to you so we can start talking more in depth.

Thanks a million.

Nick

[7969]

say hi to lily for me

[kungfucowboy83]