Job Discussion Forums

burningman21 · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 8

Hello,

I am a 24 year old native speaking teacher, degree(not education) and celta certified. I have one years teaching experience in Thailand at a private language school. I am going to move to China and I was wondering what type of positions will be available to me? Would I be able to get into a university position or would I be restricted to EF/Aston and schools like that. I am looking to spend around one year in China and I'm not willing to work with large classes or dodgy schools and I am not expecting to earn big money either.

Cheers.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

If you are not expecting to earn a lot of money, then you've come to the right place.

There are a lot of positions available for over 8000 a month in Uni's with your qualifications. Even more money if you can stand kindies.

If you want short hours and expect small pay, you're doing ok here.

What exactly are you looking for?

rc81 · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 85

A lot of positions over 8000 in Unis?

Would you mind pointing out where you are finding these?

I have two years experience and I am working on my second masters (english/education) and the best I have been offered is 6000 for 16 hours a week. Ive also been looking for over a month.

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

Most of the typical Haidian district universities will offer this salary level package- in Beijing.

1. 5200-6500 RMB per month
2. Z-visa
3. 16-20 hours per week
4. Mostly Oral English instruction
5. Private room with full kitchen usually small campus apartment
6. If you have a Master's in Education an extra 500-650 a month
7. PhD or Doctorate in related field of teaching 500-1000

Generally, no weekend or late night courses.

This is for Beijing, these are the typical positions at most of the universities higher pay generally for higher hour positions.

Higher salaries for teaching outside the typical "oral English" positions too.

burningman21 · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 8

I'm not even sure what I'm looking for. I like working in private language schools, I love the small class sizes, motivated students and I prefer to teach older students with a high level of English.

I was traveling around southern China for 3 weeks over Christmas and I just fancy a change. I made some friends in Guangzhou and I'm pretty sure that is where I will go.

I am planning to fly out mid April, am I correct in saying that the next university term starts in March?

Thanks for the comments guys.

Mr. Ed · Joined: 11 Feb 2010 Posts: 46

Yes, the next university term starts in March. However, unfilled vacancies
will be rare.

McEnglish hires year round.

Austeach2010 · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 56

I am only asking the question, I have to ask, so please do not shoot me down in flames.

What are you guys doing working in China for peanuts with all the "academic qualifications" you have?

I can only guess, a year or two for a cultural experience, sure but anymore than this...............

I ask this as many FTS in China are earning between 4500 and 6000 without degrees or diplomas.

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

Because it's not peanuts here. If you convert it to US dollars, it doesn't sound like much, but it is a very comfortable living.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

It's not how much you make, it's how much you save. A lot of people in the U.S. gross $75,000 to $100,000 and yet don't save anything at all. In fact, they may be going into the negative each month via credit cards.

Chris_Crossley

When I started working with EF in China, the basic starting salary at that time was 5,500 RMB per month and some of my colleagues, over the two years that I worked for EF, were non-graduates.

However, everyone was supposed to start at the same level irrespective of whatever academic qualifications they had or else lacked; in my case, I still started on 5,500 RMB/mo even though I was a qualified secondary school teacher and had an MBA degree, amongst others, to my name.

Summer-only teachers, including college students, received even less, namely 4,000 RMB/mo, although they did get their return flights paid by the company even after eight weeks' work or so.

Since then, I have thankfully moved on and now receive from my current employer a salary more in keeping with my quals + exp.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Thanks, I PM'd him an example.

(8000 RMB/month,a public university in Inner Mongolia)

burningman21 · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 8

Austeach, I can't speak for everyone I'm at a time of my life where I don't care too much about money, I probably won't for the next 5 years. As long as I have enough to live comfortably on, have a few beers in the evening and travel around, I'm happy. Now I earn around $1000 a month and live like a king in Thailand!

Austeach2010 · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 56

I agree with you burningman21, I am also in a comparable situation and love life. I raised the question with the sole purpose to see what motivated people to teach in Asia. I am glad that it is for life's experiences not primarily money. Hence my positions in Thailand and Vietnam previous and soon to be in China. I also understand the need to maximise ones credentials.
In the last five years or so I am surprised at the amount of money that some Asians have or access to. I think that in time the salary of FTS will be lower than potentially could be earned or saved back home.
I made sacrifices back in Australia and saved like buggery. Now I earn some interest monthly and with a FTS salary I can get by just fine. It all comes down to how big the hole is in your pocket.