Job Discussion Forums

limbo · Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Posts: 8

Hi. I am interested in coming to China for 2006/07. I've been doing a bit of research (only just starting), but was wondering if I am qualified to teach at a university or college level. I have an honours BA English Specialist, a Bachelor of Education (am a fully certified teacher with one year experience) and a Master of Arts degree in English. If I can get a job at a university, where do the schools post ads? Also, how do I know which schools are good? I know what the big name schools are in N.America, but can't seem to find any rankings for Chinese Universities (I am assuming that the higher class institutions will treat teachers better?) How many class hours a week can I expect, and what/when are the vacations?Finally, how much can I expect to get paid? Thanks for your help!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I have a ranking done by EXPATS but it can't be far off reality since any "official" (Chinese) ranking would be as dependable as... a piece of tofu as a door wedge!

The "best" - and note please: "best' here means mainly "the least bad" - is Tsinghua, followed by Peking University; Shanghai Jiaotong is a close follower (forgot its' exact position). Also mentionable is Shanghai Fudan. In Guangzhou: Zhongshan (Dr Sun Yatsen), the University of Foreign Studies; in Xi'an: the former Translation COllege now known by its Chinese moniker Fanyi College.
I doubt, however, that those supposedly "outstanding" tertiary institutions deserve their reputation; they won't treat YOU much better than most other univesities!

But all is not gloom and doom! I recommend teaching at a university so you get a relatively relaxed life here - teaching far below 20 periods a week (more like 14 hours), with all the rest of your time off.

You will most likely be used to teach useless "oral" English; some enjoy it, though.

Pay is relatively low even by Chinese standards; expect a minimum of 3000 (I frequently see adverts offering "3300 to 5000"). The higher salary is less likely to be given to a total newbie, and they often have so many applications they can negotiate your pay down (but it hasn't happened to me).

Keath · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:38 pm Post subject:

Hi limbo,

Are you from the states? Call this number, (508) 615-3243 we offer free consulting for teachers seeking positions abroad in China.

University positions generally fill up early in the semester. Schools seeking teachers mid-semester should be scrutinized carefully. Avoid private schools unless you can find solid references. (Private schools depend on their ability to recruit and if their numbers are shy, we find there are more problms with salary being delivered on time, and quality of lodgings, etc.. )

Based on your qualifications you should expect no less than 4,000 RMB to start. Some people will argue you should get more, as much as 5500, but if you show up on their doorstep and earn the same wage as them, they will be the first to complain. So 4,000 for 16-18 periods is generally acceptable for a first timer.

Regards,

Keith Curran
www.JourneyEast.org

bdawg · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 526 Location: Nanjing

Here you go....for all of your Zhongguo institutes of higher learning rankings....

http://rank2003.netbig.com/en/rnk_1_0_0.htm

It's a 2003 survey, but I doubt anything has changed too dramatically.

limbo · Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Posts: 8

Thanks for the replies. I'm surprised by the low salary though. I've heard so much about how you can make/save a ton of money in China, yet it doesn't seem possible with these types of salaries. Do universities not pay better than say highschool or elementary jobs? Seems like it is pretty hit or miss if you get a good school/employer. I'm not planning on going until next september, so I'll keep researching. Thanks again!

bearcanada · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 312 Location: Calgary, Canada

Dear Limbo;

I agree it's strange, but from what I've seen the universities have the lowest salaries of all institutions. I often seen their positions advertised at 3,000 RMB. Mind you, they give you a (usually) decent place to stay at no charge, and some other extras.

But it does seem that the public school systems and the private ones pay far more. But you are likely to have fewer troubles at the higher level.

However, many positions are advertised by recruiters who keep half or more of the money for themselves. I don't know what you would find if you corresponded directly with a university.

Many people tell me if you go to China and look for a job while there, 10,000 RMB per month is not difficult to come by. You may have to go to HK to get your visa changed after finding a job.

Cheers,

bdawg · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 526 Location: Nanjing

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

Limbo, pay at my university for a masters is 3800 RMB per month. You also get an apartment, 1100 per term vacation expenses and airfare - 50% for one semester, 100% for two. If you sign for two semesters, you get paid for a full eleven months.

Pay is ontime and in full regardless if some classes are cancelled. Considering that a normal semester is 18 weeks for a maximum of 16 fifty minute periods per week, that's a pretty good buck. My after taxes (there're none) salary works out to over $20 CDN per actual hour worked. That's considerably more than some of the language schools in Montreal pay.

Mideatoo · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 3:50 am Post subject:

A first timer (Chinese) University teacher starts at 6K.
I am referring here to �real� Chinese university;
ie. recognized in western countries...

I never came across a qualified western FT receiving less than 6K plus all amenities.

The major criteria is your age, are you 26 years old with a baby face ?

bigroh73 · Joined: 10 Sep 2005 Posts: 16 Location: Shanghai, CHINA

HEY LIMBO - you have great qualifications - perhaps over-qualified for regular english teaching in China. But the chinese will love that - so you should have no problems in getting a job at a Chinese University.

However, as some people have mentioned - the salary is much lower at universities - in the range of 3,000 up to 6,000rmb/mth is the norm. BUt they do usually give you free apartment on top of that. And are much more stable in terms of job security.

If your university job is daytime teaching only - then perhaps it acts as a good solid base to start from. If they don't make you teach on weekends or weeknights- then you can get plenty of additional part time work (@120-150/hr) at private training centers - as long as the uni doesn't know about it, or don't mind.

You can earn much more money in private training schools - but the job security is much worse. THese jobs can pay anywhere from 6,000/mth up to 12,000/mth in cities like Shanghai and Beijing. ON that kind of salary, you can save a bit each month if you're smart. But they could cheat you easily too - if you're not careful.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Mideatoo claims minimum pay at Chinese REAL universities is 6'000.
I have to contradict him: there is no such minimum pay rule, and his university is by no means one with a reputation above the rest of the crowd.
Many universities offer 3000 and more; 6000 is possible but not assured.

Lastly, what matters is in what capacity you will be roped in. And most FTs are used for that farcical of subjects, conversation English aka "oral English". That seldom pays well. Nor should it.