Job Discussion Forums

[White Widow]

After a long job search, I have narrowed it down to two choices for my first job in China: AES in Xi'an and for the University of Huizhou. I would appreciate any input from folks about which position they think would be a better choice. Any thoughts on the particular pluses and minuses of each position would be especially helpful. It is important to understand that my primary reason for teaching in China is simply to get a feel for Chinese people and culture and to pursue some Chinese language study. After my term is completed I will be pursuing a MA in foreign policy in the states.

AES Position
--------------
6 month contract
Part time (15 hours/week over 2-3 days)
Almost completely Young Learners (ages 8-17)
Shared apartment with private bedroom
No travel compensation
3500RMB/Month

Huizhou University
---------------------
6 month position (spring semester)
Full time (M-F 20 hours/week)
College students (ages 17-24)
Private on-campus apt. with Satelite TV, Internet-connected PC
One-way airfare
5000RMB/Month

[Roger]

At first glance, the Huizhou job looks more attractive. I would recommend it as public employers are more likely to treat you according to the spirit of the law.
But, since you want some immersion in Chinese life I don't know if the university is such a good place. Huizhou is pretty close to Dongguan and Shenzhen; people get attracted away to these monster cities. Huizhou is fairly small and laid-back though.
But Xi'an is far deeper in the north, in old China, and as a city it has Chinese characteristics not found to the same extent in the South.
However, a salary of 3500 sounds pretty low (although I am sure you will get opportunities to top it up).
Also, I was originally contacted by a guy that eventually arrived in China to teach at AES Xi'an. He has been there for more than two years so far, and apparently everything is going to his satisfaction.

[shenyanggerry]

Twenty hours a week at the university sounds high. It's probably twenty 45-50 min periods maximum. Your contract will probably run Feb 15th to July 15th. You'll probably get a week off at May 1st and finish your responsibilities around June 20th. You still get paid until July 15th.

You won't get the added benefits at the private. Also, Your university Ss will be a good source of Chinese culture. Enjoy.

[White Widow]

Thanks for the advice. I find it hard to believe that teaching ends in June but I'll get paid for an extra 3 weeks! Will they have me doing landscaping and maintainence until the end of my contract? Is this common? I have inquired about it with my contacts at Huizhou, but haven't heard back yet.

[NumberOneSon]

I've worked with AES in other locations, so know their typical
setup.

You will most likely be working weekends, but should
have the rest of the week free. You could have a fairly
full day, totaling around 7-8 hours of teaching per day
and if you aren't used to it, it could be rough on your
voice.

Classes are generally small, with a maximum of around
18 students per class.

The weekend students are typically elementary, middle-school,
and high school students with an emphasis on the elementary
and middle-school levels.

You will most likely have a Chinese teaching assistant
at those levels.

While 3500 is not a lot of money in China it should be
enough to cover expenses and allow you to travel a
little.

I always found that their full schedule of around 20-25
hours wasn't much worse on my free time and also
allowed more interaction with adult students. Most
adult classes are in the afternoon or evening, so don't
really keep you from seeing local sites.

Unless you are studying or want a lot of free time to
travel, teaching 3 days a week could get boring after
a few months and AES contracts do not typically allow
you to work outside the school. Be sure to check for
tutoring possibilities, though.

Positions like these are ideal for students who wish to
take classes at nearby universities since they usually
give you enuogh time to study during the week.

[MyTurnNow]

Please, take the university job!

Your odds of decent treatment, decent program....overall decent experience will be much, much higher.

I was badly abused and ripped off by one of the larger multi-city private English school chains (not necessarily the one you mention; these guys lurk about looking for bad press) and I've heard too many horror stories from the others. I absolutely cannot in good conscience recommend them to anyone.

MT

[White Widow]

Thanks for the input. I've pretty much decided on the university gig. As a novice to the China scene I think it's the best choice. It's also only 40 minus from Hong Kong, so hopefully I can make a couple trips. Still, if anyone knows anything specific about that part of China (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Huizhou) please let me know.

It also turns out that a long-ago friend of mine from TESOL school is teaching is Xiamen which I beliebe is in Fujian province. How easy would it be to get from Huizhou to Xiamen?

Thx,
A

[White Widow]

I've mentioned this in earlier posts, but should I be concerned that the university wants me to arrive on a tourist visa with the promise of changing it to a Z visa as soon as I arrive? They are adamant that this is ok. I'm inclined to trust them since it *is* a major state institution, but if anyone here has other thoughts about this, please share.

Also, I have not been sent an official contract a this point. From the sounds of it, they will present me with one when I arrive. We have discussed all the important terms of the contract via email and phone converstations, but they have not actually emailed or faxed me a copy to sign. Should I be concerned?

[JamesD]

Universities normally use a standard contract they get from the government. If you are getting good vibes from them so far I wouldn't worry about it. Same for the visa. Tourist to work switch is common.

[MyTurnNow]

Seconded...changing your tourist visa to a Z is not in itself a cause for alarm, especially if the school is a Major Brand. Just don't let them string you along...keep after them and cease to teach if they haven't gotten your Z in a reasonable period of time.

From what I'm hearing, I don't think you'll have to worry about this.

By the way, one nice thing about China is that train travel here is dirt cheap. If you have the time you should be able to get to Xiamen cheaply and in a reasonable amount of time. Xiamen has an airport, and so do Guangzhou and Shenzhen...not sure about Huizhou. If time has the greater value, flying should be easy. Since the distance is short the fare may not be too bad.

Congratulations on making the wise choice!
MT

[skyline5k]

[MyTurnNow]

skyline,

Agreed on the universities. There ARE bad ones out there, no doubt about it. But I still maintain that the percentage of weasels is a lot lower among unis than it is among private schools.

<I had originally expressed myself somewhat on the remainder of Skyline's post. I've decided that discretion is indeed the better part of valor, and I am eliminating it. Let's just say that I have strong dissenting opinions. I want to retain the option of continuing to post here if I choose to. And I like Dave S and don't want to see him sued.

While this could have served as a vivid and eloquent test of some of what Skyline believes, past experiences have shown me that responding directly to the assertions of these management persons has always led to bad things happening to me. Oh, I tend to win the verbal battles (sometimes pretty spectacularly- sadly, these conversations have all, uh, fallen into Shadow), but I eventually find myself unable to continue the conversation. As Agent Smith so elegantly puts it in The Matrix, "What good is a phone call if you are unable to speak?" So, no direct frontal assaults for me anymore.

Skyline, I have no beef with you. I don't know you, but I'm sure you're a fine fellow and you doubtless run a great school. Please, have your say unmolested by my own personal experiences and perceptions of reality.

With any luck, I'll still be here to post another day.>

MT

[NumberOneSon]

[MyTurnNow]

You know, I always loved the scene in Young Frankenstein where it was revealed that the Doctor had pieced together a large, strong body, but the brain was rotten and had come from "Abbie Someone.....Abbie Normal!". But perhaps I digress.

MT

[ChadwickKent]

Which is better, to burn to death or freeze to death?

To work at a Uni or a McDonald's language mill?

I recently came across a couple of articles that may assist in making such an important choice.

http://www.esl-lounge.com/qiang-wolff-index.shtml