Job Discussion Forums

[Alexis009]

Hello! I'm in need of some advice, yes this is one of 'those' threads yada yada I know. I've read them all, but it's always worth it to solicit advice for one's own specific circumstance.

First of all, I'm a long time lurker of Dave's forums, and have recently decided on teaching in China after scrapping Korea and Japan attempts. I'm one of the many recent college grads, with a major in English and a TESOL online cert. I've lived in Rome for a semester and traveled extensively (not thru asia). Only about a year of tutoring grammar/math, no teaching experience.... Don't judge, but I am looking for a few years of personal development and adventure while building up for a potential career of teaching here in the US. Beats the heck out of cooking 20 hours a week in a hot kitchen.

My list of cautiously "livable" cities: Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Dalian, Nanjing... I want an eastern medium to small sized city with something to do, close to major attractions like Shanghai, good rail connections, with access to beautiful natural sights like lakes and mountains.

So, I've been offered a position in DD Dragon's Yangzhou branch. Typical DD Dragon contract, 8K a month 25 hrs a week (no extra time in school) with apartment no utilities, airfare, ONLY one week vacation... Have to show up to school events no pay, only 6K for first probation month, 10 days training in Shanghai etc. I havnt been given the Yangzhou branch manager email yet (they say its head office just talk to their regular email... Yangzhou boss doesn't speak much english... Not good)
- I am seriously considering this school, havn't heard -too- many bad things about DD Dragon- good curriculum and very smooth, good pay, easy to do. I'd learn a lot.
- Anyone have any advice (even samhoustan... lol) on DD Dragon or Yangzhou as a city?


The problem is that it's only one week vacation and its during Chinese new year. My first year in China (I imagine first of 2-5 yrs) I'd much rather get a university job or public school and have 2 months of paid vacation to travel around and learn more about China. I don't care too much about the money, to be honest. I'm hesitant to take the DD dragon job also, since its kindy kids and It would be hard work- it's a far cry from academia and sexy tweed jackets. Of course, I have a good personality for kids, and can teach young learners.

I realize though that having no teaching experience at a school means finding a university job would be very difficult for me. I've been going through Horizon ESL recruiting agency, it's a no BS company that has good reviews, and it's hard finding a good public school. Perhaps try a different, better recruiter to find public school?

Basically I'm trying not to write a wall of text yet succeed in doing so... I'm just banging my head against a wall after months of research and weeks of trolling forums and job postings looking for "THE RIGHT" job.

TL:DR - These Buxiban private companies make me squeamish- so much work, yet for my first job would they be a safe choice? Or, since money no object and I just want to travel a lot with a month of paid vacation, would holding out for a public school or *cross fingers* Uni job be better for me? This question is putting me into a transcendental stasis of indecision.

Thanks for your help and understanding!

[7969]

[Non Sequitur]

My take on your situation is go public first. After a year look at other options - including private but also other public in other locations.
Note that although schools are recruiting now the main opportunities are in January as they gear up for the new academic year.
I don't think lack of experience is a biggie if your ESL qual has involved some practical work.
That said you are more likely to find something in a provincial level vocational college rather than a nationally ranked school. These schools are not insubstantial with 10 to 12 000 students - all on campus.
Coastal cities are the best bet as the climate isn't as rigorous - Of your list Dalian is the only one I've taught in. My pick of the coastal cities in the general north east is Qingdao.
No more than 20 teaching contact hours would give you the opportunity to have Monday or Friday free which would enable you to get to Shanghai or Beijing if you hanker for that. The main public holiday periods especially Spring Festival are better spent at home.
Accom (on campus), airfare, subsidised use of cafetarias and say RMB4000pm are what you should be looking for. Weekend language school work can be used as a top up but I found if you factor in travel time the actual return isn't that great.
Good luck. PM me if you need any help.

[Non Sequitur]

CORRECTION - that should be July when they are gearing up etc

[Alexis009]

Thank you for your thoughts! Much appreciated. I still havn't committed to DD dragon, they are calling me today to answer some questions (i.e. getting in contact with the franchise directly) yet after taking all this into consideration I'm almost ready to forget them in favor of holding out for a posh Uni job or at least a job with a month of vacation time.

[Non Sequitur]

Saturday mornings are the best language school times. Look for 100RMB per 45 minute hour. If you do 4 hours ie two classes the travel time is bearable.
I did a 2 hour gig Saturday mornings at a language school last year and the travel added another 2 hours of unpaid involvement.
In public schools the contract will forbid outside work and it should always be discreet.
Interestingly some of my best private work over the years has come from quiet words from people in the teacher admin office who supervised the contracts.
But don't get ahead of yourself. Get over there, employed, teaching and surviving - then decide if it is what you want to do.

[7969]

[Non Sequitur]

That's interesting 7969. My contract still has the 'old' wording.
Be interesting to see what the new contact for the 2011/2012 year says about outside work.