Job Discussion Forums

[polwickin]

I have a job offer and I'd like to get some input. I'd like to get it before I choose to accept or refuse the offer. I haven't seen the contract yet, so can't add specifics on that. Replies based on your experiences for any or all areas would be appreciated. I have run searches on Dave's and other sites prior to posting, but would like specific responses based on this offer. Thanks in advance.

The offer is from a language institute.

Location:
Beijing, Haidan

Pay:
12,000 RMB for me, BA (unrelated field), 2 years ESL experience
11,000 for my partner, BA (unrelated field) 1 yr ESL, years as a lecturer at uni back home (obviously not reflected in this offer)

Is it reasonable for him to counter asking for more based on non-ESL teaching?

Hours:

We would have to be at school 40 hours a week.
100 contact hours a month.

Yes, I do believe contact hours are written per month, rather than per week. Realistically, I expect, especially in the beginning, to put in 40 hours a week to get the job done, as reports and other things are required. This strikes me as A LOT and I am wondering if the salary is appropriately higher. Standard seems to be 16-20 hours a week.


Housing:

Not included.
1,000 RMB allowance added for each of us.

Based on what we can tell, an apartment that we would find appropriate would run about 4,000. We are not looking to live in luxury, but would like a clean, 1 bedroom apartment at the minimum. So, we would possibly be paying half out of our salaries. I have read that apartments cost more since the Olympics, but the manager has said that they are coming back down. What do you think is happening to rent?

Insurance:
No medical. Accident insurance only. This, frankly, worries me. How much does medical care cost, realistically? Do you see a western doctor yourself in China? Do you buy your own coverage? I am getting a lot of conflicting information on this in particular. I am considering using part of my pay to buy monthly coverage, so would effectively be making less money.

Would you work at a language institute in China? My experience is only in Korea.

The contract thread for China that I found seemed to go down in flames, so I am wondering if anyone that can give me a link to an older one that has stayed on topic.

[Laurence]

Just a couple of things to consider from your post -

Most language school will divide your schedule into academic hours, typically lasting 40 - 50 mins

Sorry if you're already familiar with mill mathematics -

100 hours x 60 minutes / 50 minutes (1 academic hour) = 120 classes per month, or 30 per week (or more if the academic hour is shorter, obviously). Genius.

I don't think the standard schedule for language schools is under 20 classes per week.

Also, if the salary you quoted will be taxed, that will pretty much cancel out your housing allowance (you'd pay about Y750 or so tax, I think). Enjoying Beijing will probably cost you about 6-7000 yuan per month, plus two thousand for your rent, that would leave you with quite a small savings potential. Language schools don't generally give much holiday, but I guess there's lots of cool stuff to do in BJ (have you found www.thebeijinger.com?). I would personally consider Y12000 a baseline for working in the capital, others might say it's not enough. To give you some perspective, Chinese middle class (so to speak) seem to reach 15k in their mid-late 20s.

I worked in a language school on the East Coast in 2004/5 and I really liked it. I was working 20 - 25 academic hours per week, I think, but more in the peak seasons. Even when it was hectic, it was a really sociable and I learned and practiced a lot of useful stuff (9.5k +house +flights +medical insurance). If the schedule seems heavy, remember they're primarily trying to make money. The academic ('academic') side is just a product so just keep the students happy and enjoy it.

If you want to come and experience Beijing, this job will allow you that, without having to budget too much. You could probably find another job which would give you more free time but it would most likely pay less and you'd have to think about your finances a little more carefully. I'm single though, things are probably generally cheaper for you guys. If you want to save more money in ESL, get some more experience under your belt, perhaps do an MA in your free time and it'll come.


I think I would consider this at the top of the low end (Queen-eight unsuited, perhaps).

Have you decided yet?

[gregmcd101]

sounds about on a par with what I'm getting (salary is lower but apartment is free) - but I'm in a cheaper place. Been to Beijing twice as a tourist and it is expensive. From what I read on here its expensive to live in. Two of you together makes it easier - but you shouldn't settle for less because of that. they are getting two teachers, they should provide both with proper accomodations - rent paid and utilities. Not a fan of the idea of a rent stipend...... 1) it seems grossly inadequate (in this case)..... 2) you have the problems and legalities of dealing with a landlord 3)..... Chinese landlords generally demand a hefty up-front payment.

all these are headaches I'd much prefer not to have to face. also you need to clarify the teaching hours position. If its 100X45 thats doable. 100X60/45 = 133 - UUUURRRRRGGGGHHH

[brsmith15]

What school?

[polwickin]

Thanks for the responses, you've more or less confirmed what I was already thinking.

It seems that it is not better pay for more work overall. I'm not sure if it was 100/50 min classes or 100 contact hours , so that they can do the fancy math, but it was enough to convince my partner that it is not particularly better than our other option in Korea. And Korea has health insurance, which matters to me. It does seem per Laurence's post that medical insurance can be had through chinese jobs as well.

I do not like the uncertainty of knowing whether or not it will be enough to live on and at least save some. And as Gregmcd said, I do not want to deal with Chinese landlords and extra contractual obligations, either.

Thanks for the info about The Beijinger-I used it for a lot of research on housing.

[mike w]