Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner]

After some initial confusion on the part of my uni's FAO office re my intention to renew my contract, they finally agreed to let me stay on here for a 4th year. In our pre-contractural negotiations, the FAO lady, in passing, mentioned that the uni (just a 2nd tier establishment, at a back water of a town in Zhejiang province) had been "inundated with applications for jobs here, mostly by Americans, nearly all who happen to possess PhDs" ! Maybe, that could be the reason why for the first time in 7 years teaching at unis in China I have not been offered a salary increase either when going to a new college or renewing an existing contract.The FAO lady, nevertheless, assured me that I will "still be the highest paid FT here" , and that my salary is "still beyond" the "usual maximum" rate, which is 6500 RMB for 16 teaching "hours" ( since September 2009, I have been in 6800 for 14 teaching "hours", with 12 salary payments), even though I don't hold a PhD (only a couple of Masters degrees, inc. one in Applied Linguistics; a B.Ed and a CELTA).

I'm not really complaining. I'm quite happy at this uni. I teach more interesting subjects besides the usual Oral English,The students are great, and the workload is often not too onerous. The cost of living in this town is quite low, enabling me to save something like 6300 per month, as I outlined in a post to a pertinent thread several months ago ! Also, as I pointed out in a post to tis forum a few days ago, because many of my students are often out on teaching practice, I often end up with 5.5 day weekends ! So, it's a great life here - best time of my life, in fact ! Yet, I feel just a little bit peeved off, that in appreciation of my loyalty, profesionalism and hardwork, they couldn't have upped my salary by a measly 200 RMB per month to make it an even 7000 - oh, well !

I'm just wondering whether the rest of you who are currently negotiating contract renewals have also come up with any similar reasons by FAO people as to why salaries won't /can't be increased. Also, have you heard on the grapevine about highly qualified people (mostly Americans) who are v.keen to teach in China ? If so, do you think that it is all due to the GFC ? Such people, I'd imagine, would have their eyes set on unis and community colleges in their own country - are such sectors reducing the numbers of their teachers, or what ? But even if such people wanted to come to China, one would imagine that they would focus on the 1st tier unis, especially those located in the major centres, rather than 2nd/3rd tier outfits stuck out in the backblocks. Or, are things so bad in the US that they are desperate to get anything ASAP.

Also, do you ever envisage that one day a PhD from an English-Speaking country could be a required prerequisite for one wishing to teach Oral English in China ? !

Peter

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

like everyone else i appreciate a salary increase from year to year, but over the long term, does an extra 500 per month mean a lot? when i go back home i realize how insignificant it really is.

until someone provides proof of it i wont believe the stories that salaries being kept down by some fictional influx of qualified and now unemployed (due to the financial crisis(GFC???)) teachers from California.

finally, when a PhD from an accredited university in a developed English speaking country becomes a requirement to teach oral english in China then it'll become very clear what a joke this esl business really is.

[johntpartee]

They're telling you that to get you to accept lower pay. I think I can safely say that China is not being inundated with Doctors of Philosophy who are chomping at the bit to teach ESL.

[killian]

my 16,000 per month job is being eliminated. a new position paying 6,000 (+housing!) is being created.

there will always be someone willing to work for less. the race to the botom never takes long.

[waxwing]

The introduction of "PhD" into the discussion just muddies the water. The real, and interesting, question, is whether there actually is a big influx of applications from Americans with more ordinary qualification levels. I strongly suspect that that part is true. And by the way, we seem, now, to be entering the other wall of the financial crisis hurricane. Draw your own conclusions ...

[mnguy29]

Well, I am in the process of trying to find a Uni teaching job in a nice city in the south of China. I have applied to many of them and have heard back from one or two. The ones I am very interested in, I have not heard from. I am a qualified teacher with a BS degree in teaching, two years experience in China and many years teaching in USA. I am confused as to why they are not getting back to me. Its frustrating dealing with schools in China. You apply and wait and hear nothing. Is this because they have not started the process yet, or they are not considering me for a position? Also, I have been contacting them without the assistance of an agent or agency. Is it better to use one of these? Which one is best?
Thanks!

[Teatime of Soul]

I would not be surprised to see more folks look abroad for employment when their economic opportunities are bleak due to the current economic situation.

What their qualifications might be, who can tell.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Several inappropriate postings have been deleted. If the insults and such continue here, you will not.

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[China.Pete]

"You apply and wait and hear nothing." -- Broepke

If you apply during the summer or winter breaks, it's probably due to their staff being out on half-paid leave. If it's now (May), which should be the height of the recruitment season for the next academic year, it's probably because they don't need anyone. Round about June, some schools will start to get desperate and hire the first resume that hits their in-box, just so they can get started on that leave.

[sojourner]

Broepke,

China Pete has made a good point about accepting a job offer just prior to the commencement of a new term. Such a situation could put you in a v.favourable bargaining position ! But, on the other hand the reason why a school/uni is having trouble getting FTs could be because those who were originally accepted might have found out something "negative" about the school. So, even if you are offered something at a v.reasonable salary rate it's still worthwhile to get in touch with some of the existing FTs in order to ascertain what the place is really like. However, in my case, for my own peace of mind, I always want to know as early as possible whether I will have a job in the following term - thus, I always apply 3-4 months prior to the next term's commencement.

You mentioned that you are applying for- a uni job in a "nice city" in "southern China". Just be aware that many, many others may also want to apply for positions in those "nice" places - thus, helping to push down salary rates.You would be advised to also consider the not-so-nice (but, probably, still reasonably liveable and "interesting" ) smallish cities.You'll also find that the cost of living in such places is often considerably below that of the "nice" cities.Also, rather than just apply for 4 or 5 unis, you should be applying for something like 15 !

Take a look at my posting of 26th April, re how to apply for jobs, in the following thread : http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=851689&highlight=#851689 . You might also pick up some additional hints from : http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=853291&highlight=#853291 .

Being an American you migfht also want to consider teaching in Sth Korea. However, most of the jobs there, especially for newbies, will be in the hagwan sector.

Feel free to PM me should you have any other queries.

Peter

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Killian,

Now, that is a REAL pay-cut ! V.nasty, indeed. Did they make it a bit easier for you by reducing your teaching hours, increasing your airfare allowance, or whatever ?

Peter

[Jayray]