Job Discussion Forums

funkyj · Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

Hey Everyone,

Before I begin, I want to thank you for checking this post.

OK so now: I am a certified middle/high school English Language Arts and Literature teacher in NY, USA. Since it is impossible to find a teaching position here (and school starts in a week), I am looking elsewhere (and I JUST WANT TO GET OUT for a little while, change the scenery). I found this posting on craigslist.org, and it reads as follows:

Now Hiring: Middle and High School Teachers, all subjects.
Location: Beijing, China
Salary: $2000-3000/month (depends on experience) with room and board free and round-trip air tickets from China to USA.
When: As soon as possible

Are you looking for a great opportunity, a rewarding career, or the chance to make a difference? Drtobe Education Consulting Ltd. is hiring highly qualified and experienced Middle School and High School certified teachers to fill positions for all subjects from English to American History, from Math to AP Physics, from Chemistry to Biology � etc. We currently have full time and part-time positions available for qualified teachers who can work in Nanjing and/or Beijing, the safest and most dynamic city in Asia. Working at Drtobe�s Beijing office, you will enjoy a flexible work environment, meet Chinese people and learn their cultures, and, best of all, you can help Chinese students to achieve their individual potential and goal � go to top USA college for their undergraduate study.

Drtobe is a rapidly growing, for-profit education company that provides education based on US curriculum to Chinese middle and high school students. Our markets include Chinese homeschoolers, public schools, private school, and boarding schools in China major cities, mainly Beijing. Whether you are a current teacher, on sabbatical leave, retired from school, or just want to see the other half of the Earth (Great Wall/Forbidden City), you are welcome to apply as long as you are good at teaching and love Chinese food.
Please reply with resume and cover letter (stating subjects you can teach)

OK so my question is, does this seem realistic? To me, it seems a little vague, as it lists all sorts of positions with no exact specifications as to 1) is there specifically an English position in a high or middle school, 2) is it public school? private? Home-tutoring? and International school? University?, 3) 2-3000 what? Hopefully USD, 4) before taxes? Does the salary reflect the inclusion of accommodation?

I am wondering if this is too good to be true, because teaching in a regular classroom setting, on a public school setting, for 3000 usd a month, plus free housing--- SEEMS a bit TOO good to be true.

Is this a typical posting or does this seem off?

THANKS for any input.

Regards,
Melissa

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

It seems quite a standard recruiter advertisement to me. In China, these salary ranges mean very little. You are unlikely to attract the upper end of the scale. If you push for it, the recruiter will probably just state a list of fictional requirements.

In Beijing, 2000 USD is achievable (12000 to 15000 rmb) especially for specialist subjects taught to middle school students. It will be gross and not net earnings.

However, this is through a recruitment agency. Beware of slight of hand tactics such as 'bait and switch' or earnings according to satisfactory appraisal/probationary period.

It is unlikely that a Chinese employer will appraise you fairly where bonuses or wage increments are concerned. China is not a meritocracy and performance has little impact on wage negotiations etc. so be careful on that one!

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

The salary and conditions are not "too good to be true" when speaking of international school positions for certified teachers. But this does not sound like a true international school. Sounds like some sort of outfit that places teachers -- hard to say where. Some kind of college-preparatory schools for Chinese kids. International schools, as I'm sure you are aware, cater to foreign kids, the offspring of expat executives, diplomats etc. I would stick with international schools if I were you. You may even get a higher salary than that listed. But doubtful you could start before Sept. 2011.

funkyj · Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

Hey everyone,

THANKS for your input, it is MUCH appreciated. OK, so it is good to hear that such a salary is possible... I ask this solely because I have an INSANE amount of student debt (over 100k) and it had really caught up to me. It is amazing how we become indentured servants to our education. I do have a B.A. in Education (English) and a M.S. in Literacy, as well as my permanent teaching certificate, and 7 years experience in the field of education. SO I am hoping I am eligible for the higher end salary scale.

AS for being hired for September, no, I know it is close to impossible, but even more so, I simply cannot afford to relocate just this second (I need a few months to substitute and tutor and save some funds). I am looking at what "options" I have, as I have thoroughly researched Korea and it seems I wouldn't make enough to cover my loans and other debts/bills.

I am registered with an International schools recruiter, but I have not heard from them in ages, as they are flooded with applicants. At this point, it is sad to say, but I need to go where the $ is (with the exception of the Middle East). I didn't go into teaching to be well-off, but I didn't go into it to be impoverished either!

Anyway, THANKS again, and I am hoping SOMETHING happens for me soon.

Be well everyone.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

Google a site called International School Reviews. That's where I'd be looking if I had your qualifications. You should not be messing around with low-paid ESL jobs, to be honest. On a different site, I saw a post the other day from a woman making 38k RMB a month at an international school in China. That is 32k after taxes. She was living on 5k, even though she had a baby. So that is close to US $4,000 she was able to save each month. Not bad. Not sure what subject she was teaching. I do believe math and science have more bargaining power than English.

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

100K in debt? Either you're joking or you've got some serious problems that China will never fix.

China is not a solution to whatever ails you, never has been, never will be.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

The Revealer · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 50

"100K in debt? Either you're joking or you've got some serious problems that China will never fix."

Agree. Joe Greene from the collection agency is still bugging my Father.

It doesn't matter. Sleep tight, younger lady.

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

I didn't know that any Chinese school paid salary in U.S. dollars.

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

Beware of craiglist - the ads are to get responses - then they will ask for your bank info - so they can do a credit check - and then they can siphon money from your bank accounts.

I also have a teaching license - in this economy it doesn't do much good - tons of people are looking for jobs - many of them licensed teachers - lots of competition.

Sure if you can teach the high level math or physics - you can demand more money.

deputamadre · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 53

Yes, all you need is a bank account number to steal all the money from their account...

What are you talking about?

And, finding teaching jobs is easy. The economy is doing just fine in China. Top-tier cities(SH, BJ) have high-paying international schools actively recruiting teachers with legit degrees and teaching certificates from the U.S. and U.K. By degree I mean Master's in education, not a worthless TEFL certificate.