Job Discussion Forums

[187kami]

I have been offered and accepted a teaching position with a University in China due to begin in March 2010. Although I am satisfied with the package, I would like to negotiate my wage.

I am currently being paid 4,500RMB and have noticed postings for the same job with the University for 5,000RMB if you hold a Masters Degree. I hold a Postgraduate Diploma but I don't think this has been taken into consideration when considering my wage.

When is the best time to negotiate the contract and what is the best approach without offending/causing problems with the University? Although I have limited teaching experience I do believe I am entitled to the extra 500RMB per month which will come in handy!

Any help much appreciated

[SnoopBot]

They often do not give you the high end salary they list even if qualified (meet their requirements) The master's degree they are talking about must be in education with a TESOL or Linguistics background. If you had a Master's degree in Physics they would use this to keep your wage at 4500. Usually, when your second contract comes around after 1-year of good teaching service at the university they will offer you this pay increase.

universities pay the lowest in China and expect the highest credentials (odd isn't it?)

What concerns me is other details, how many hours will you teach? 12-hours or less for 4500? or 20-hours + office time?

Some of the universities have low hours hence low pay, others try to offer the same pay as those low-hour universities but with high hours including hidden ones such as "English Corner's."

If it is a high hour position at 4500 RMB I would look at another university.

FYI: A Master's degree in Education + TESOL/linguistics is generally a 3-year program. 2-year classroom study, a 6-month (or longer) research project and a 6-month TESOL practicum.

Pretty awesome, an extra 500-RMB a month for a 3-year master's degree + 35,000 USD in university tuition costs. This is why the rarely can find those qualified people or retain them in the PRC.

500-RMB = 2 Pizza hut dinners with your girlfriend.

I've met only 1 other guy with a legit MEd in TESOL during my 6+ years teaching in China.

However, it doesn't hurt to negotiate for the higher salary.

[Renegade_o_Funk]

...

[187kami]

Thanks for the info guys,

I will be teaching 16 hours a week with no office hours and the package includes round trip flights/accomodation/medical and bills so I think it is reasonable.... 500RMB for 2 trips to pizza hut does however put it into perspective for the extra hassle!

I read elsewhere that the best time to negotiate with universities would be once I have actually arrived in china since they are not usually flexible on wage in prior discussions which can jeopardise employment. The contract specifically mentions that it can be altered by mutual consent... my main concern is whether to take a direct or indirect approach with the employer? I've read that when negotiating it's better to be subtle with Chinese employers since they are good at picking up the subcontext... any views on this?

[tomstone]

Common sense dictates that since you accepted the terms at 4500 ANY negotiation of the current contract would be a bad idea. Go in there, show them your stuff, and when you renew ask for more then. A word of advice: The biggest mistake you can make is to go into the situation with a "I'm going to find out what these people are like" attitude. Human nature is the same everywhere. People are people.

[creztor]

[rogerwallace]

As a holder of an MEd w/lic. in ESL, as well as other teaching credentials, I have taught at several colleges that payed 2x the amount you have been offered. My next university is offering me 10,000 rmb.
20 hours seems to be normal as well as free apt.
Look at higher end universities , they can pay more.
Of course you need real degrees w/ trancripts!

[SnoopBot]