Job Discussion Forums

mnguy29 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 155 Location: USA

I am wondering if some teachers out there have any experience with this. I have had interesting opinions on the salaries offered by many Universities in cities in SE China. Usually, the most I see offered is maybe 5500rmb at the very top end. I have been in contact with some people in China who tell me that they know teachers who get 8000 for these same jobs. My question is: Can you negotiate for more than the top salary stated in the announcement? I have two years teaching experience in China and a BS degree in teaching. They suggested first coming to China and then try to negotiate with the Uni. Sorry, this is just too risky for me. I want to come there with a firm offer I can assume is the best considering my education and experience. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks!

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

mnguy29 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 155 Location: USA

Thanks! All good points to consider. Makes me think of another question I have wondered about. At the end of the contract if you decide to stay for another year, either teaching at that school or not, will you get paid the money for return airfare as sort of a bonus?? Or, do you just lose it?

teachaus · Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 54

Airfare (or money in lieu) at the end is going to depend upon your contract. My university (for people who are renewing the contract for another year) will buy the tickets for the return flight home and back OR if people are not travelling back home to visit will give a lump sum in place of it (I think it is 8,000RMB). If people are not renewing the contract then they will get the ticket home. But I know that it can vary between universities and that some have limits on what they are prepared to pay (so it is careful to check what the actual cost is going to be for you).

While 2 years experience and the Bachelors degree will get you a job in a university in China it will probably not be enough to get you the top salary offered at the University to the foreign English teachers. At my university a Masters degree (or Phd) will get you more.

But as earlier posters have said you really do need to weigh up all the elements of the package you are offered and the relative cost of living in the city you will be in - and know what is most important to you. I earn less than the 5500 that you were talking about, but have great accommodation, am conveniently located, am treated well and live in a big city where the cost of living is lower.

mnguy29 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 155 Location: USA

Thanks! May I ask where you teach? University and city? What if I stay in China at end of contract, but I don't re-sign with same Uni, meaning I teach somewhere else or do other work. Will they just pay me the money?

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

Jeeesh, it looks like the salaries are still at >2003 levels.

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

donb2222 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 134

I wish more people would negotiate higher salaries.
IMO, salaries paid and/or offered are far too low.

drjtrekker · Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 251

I often read this....negotiate salaries, i wish people would negotiate.

Maybe I am just not valuable, this year alone, i have been offered over a handful of jobs...and whenever I have tried to negotiate salaries...they say "thats what we offer"

translation:
"take it or leave it sucka! there are a million of u dumb laowai backpacker types, missionary types, retirees, or young kids that dont give a crap about what they get, cuz they livin' in the "now", or its their first job, they will take whatever they can get, or mommy and daddy will hook them up if they get in trouble...."

I dont think for most of us, negotiating will get any kind of substantial gain, unless its august 30, and need a laowai bad!!

Jayray · Joined: 28 Feb 2009 Posts: 373 Location: Back East

Salaries are negotiable in some cases. Even the public universities and colleges can pay above the advertised rate.

Common scenario: Cr@ppy school where FTs bug out before the end of their contracts.

A. One FT whose credentials are dubious and is thoroughly useless as a teacher but who sees an opportunity in the plight of the school negotiates her salary upward with a promise to stay. Bingo. High school transcripts become as valuable as a Ph.D.

I've seen it happen.

B. Another common scenario: The FAO negotiates the salary downwardly through a series of maneuvers designed to force the FT to teach more hours than the contract calls for or deducts pay from the FT's paycheck because he/she is not working the maximum number of hours ALLOWED (not required) by the contract.

I've seen that happen too.

Scenario A is sustainable by both parties for a limited amount of time. The FT must ensure that there is frequent turnover in order to maintain her perceived value to the school, yet not be perceived as a troublemaker.

As more competent FTs pass through the school, the FAO begins to doubt the value of longevity over competence and either cans the overpaid FT, or the overpaid FT can no longer maintain blamelessness for the many problems among the FTs and must quit.

The incompetent FAO and/or waiban who seeks to lower wages through the above-mentioned maneuvers starts the ball rolling for teachers to take advantage of the chronic shortage of warm bodies, thus creating the overpaid, grossly-inadequate foreign teacher. This situation is also self-limiting.