Job Discussion Forums

linton03 · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

Hello all:

My wife is Chinese and I am an American. We are looking at moving to Guangzhou and maybe trying to open a small school while I work part time in the mornings.

So, how hard would it be?

Any advice?

And if it is too hard, what would it take to get a job that pays at least 12k. I have a BA and 3 years teaching in Korea and 1 in America.

Thanks guys,

Renegade_o_Funk · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 125

linton03 · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

My wife and I were looking at making it a legal school, but how hard is that? Any advice? Or is it just too hard. Most people here think I should just get a basic teaching job. Any ideas?

Renegade_o_Funk · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 125

I have no clue really. I have talked about this with other teachers over beers, but so far that's all that has happened, is talk. Have you wife call some government people and see how much it is to get a license.

There is nothing wrong with trying to start a school, perhaps it will take sometime and it wont be something that will happen right away, but it's completely feasible.

mat chen · Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 494 Location: xiangtan hunan

Buying a franchise from Lee Yang Crazy English, New Oriental or English first is the best way.

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

I think it's a lot less complicated if you stick with 'training centre', not 'school'

Yeah..

Semantics and ideology ~

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

Like any other type of business in China, to be legitimate you must have a certain amount of predetermined registered capital and fulfill a number of other bureaucratic requirements such as getting an official chop, registering your business and registering for taxes.

The registered capital requirement varies according to the type of business and location. You may be able to get away with USD40K depending on how well you negotiate with the local government.

One advantage of China is that the registered capital is available for business investment once deposited in the Bank of China. Also purchased equipment, if you have the receipts and an asset register, can be offset against the declared registered capital.

Bear in mind though that, when this registered capital is in China, you will have huge difficulties if you need to get it out again!

If you set up in a special development area (maybe Zhuhai) you may be able to negotiate good tax benefits and other savings.

One thing to beware of! Remember that a school involves teaching children. Make sure that you take out comprehensive accident and injury insurance. You need to be covered in case one of your students gets hurt. You could get lumbered with substantial medical costs.

Aside from all of this, you simply need to rent a room and buy equipment. You may end up teaching a few local government or police family members for free just to "build relationships". But, as a friendly foreign face, I am sure that can be well offset by other local demand.

Good luck! Very Happy

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

Guangzhou? Ren_o_funk is right on the mark...

You'll be run out of town within the first month.

A legal school with a legal foreign teacher (you or otherwise employed) is not viable. Try a smaller city/town somewhere else.

I've been in GZ since 2002 and my wife (Chinese) and I hate every second of it. I'm also considering opening a training center...but not in GD.

There's just soooooooooooo many things wrong with just the premise of your idea...

Ack!

A man called Roger · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 96

mat chen · Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 494 Location: xiangtan hunan

You also must pay other people like the head masters of the schools nearby. This is standard. They OK you to have their students attend.