Job Discussion Forums

[rogerwilco]

20,000 a month is not common for an ESL teacher in China.
You probably would not be able to "take it easy", and also work the number
of hours required to earn 20,000 a month.

English is not widely spoken. China is not very Americanized. Most of the people do seem to speak very loudly.

[slareth]

The people here only use Chinese in whispers.

Considering you like to stay in one place and not relocate, a trip to China sounds absolutely ideal for you.

Out of curiosity, if you accomplished so much in business, why would you even be considering the wage of an ESL teacher? Farting loud in the US, UK, or Canada (and many other countries) can provide you with a superior earning potential.

[daCabbie]

Hahahaha. I just bought a ukulele last week.

Now I'm signing: I'm in the money! I'm in the money!

There is no way the OP is for real.

Are you for real dude?

[Guerciotti]

As a captain of industry, you can earn in excess of 20,000 per month with a little effort. Teaching is easy as cake. It's the easiest job you could ever have. Just smile frequently.
It's so easy you will laugh out loud morning, noon and night, which will further endear you with the Chinese, as they will see you are happy every day.
Ukelele is nice, but if you learn four or five chords you can play an acoustic guitar in your classes and make bank. Some English teachers will laugh at you if you play guitar, but as an accomplished business man, you know it's just another form of jealousy rearing it's ugly head.
Chinese businessmen stand in awe of American businessmen; you can expect many gifts and invitations.
I think you aim too low, you should bank at least 20,000 per month and live large, that is the goal, but it might take a year to reach this level. After the first year, you'll think you're a reality TV star.
What the Hell are you waiting for? Are you crazy?

[YankeeDoodleDandy]

Come on over, I think that this is the year of the " Super Boy " Competition. get ready to sing. !!!

[RickSwifty]

[dog backwards]

It's not about the money? That's not what you told us in your first post.

[daCabbie]

OK, so you want to come to China and get rich, live a stable life and chase women.

What qualifications do you have? I know you have made A LOT of money, but what schooling do you have? HsD, BA/BS, MA/MFA, PhD, CELTA?

What type of school do you want to teach in? Do you like children, kindergartens pay more money.

What type of city do you want? Big, small or medium. Remember a small city in China is 5 million people.

Stability. Have you been overseas before? What countries? Finding what you like can be hit and miss in China, to travel is to search.

Help us to help you. Show us your best side. Many of us here have connections to high paying positions. If we like you we might throw you a bone. But all we know about you is: American, likes Chinese girls, suave businessman and a smart person (only the smartest come to Dave's)

Help us help you. That is what we are here to do!

[vikeologist]

It's possible, but difficult to earn that much in China.

However, it might take a little time, (along with luck, persistence and ability). Your experience will probably help a little bit. If you see this as a potentially long-term commitment then China, like everywhere else, has the potential for success.

However, the culture, rules and norms in China are different. You may succeed. You may fall flat on your face. In any case, I believe that you would need to spend at least a year here finding out how the ground lies.

Another thing to bear in mind. The big money is easier to find in the big cities, particularly Shanghai, but because of the cost of living, that's not necessarily where you'll end up saving the most or having the best quality of life. Also, in smaller cities you'll get other advantages such as less competition from other expats, which in turn means that your services will be more valuable in real terms.

So, my advice is, take a Uni job for a year for about 5,000 a month somewhere near a city centre (being out in the sticks won't help you make contacts), give it a year and then decide whether you want to invest the time and energy into a life in China. Worst case scenario, you'll save a little bit of money and meet some Chinese ladies.

Another option is to get a job with a school, working a lot of hours. Maybe you could get 11 or 12k a month. I'm not saying it's a bad idea. It's just that the greater amount of free time from a Uni gig would have longer term benefits.

Just don't come here with unrealistic expectations.

[bdawg_2]

It is possible to bank 20,000RMB/month but the folks that do it are generally career teachers, have been in the game awhile (have the contacts, experience etc.) and easily plow through 40hrs/week. Take it from anyone who has done that...it's more work than it sounds. A quality North-American style existence in China does not come cheap and if you are interested in a life composed largely of that, it will set you back financially. Bottom, no bull-shit line is you are not going to make more $$ in the ESL field than what you are presently making now. Probably not even close.

If I'm reading your post correctly, I get the sense you are interested in using teaching wages as a sort of subsidy and a teaching gig to secure a visa. A number of people do this, most commonly retirees in an effort to stretch pensions/savings while seeing the world. Absolutely nothing wrong with that...but they are not there to earn money.

You may be better off to explore other countries before making a decision, especially a decision that may have long-term implications. China can be quite soul crushing especially to those who have the wrong impression and expectations of the country. In my case, even after extensive research, it was nothing like I thought it would be.

[Miajiayou]

The expats who aren't failures are here because we crave constant stimulation and get too bored with predictability and "taking it easy." China is not the place for the latter, at all.

[slareth]

[choudoufu]

do to come.

there are many bridges for to be settle underneathly.

you can be live there long time.

[Miajiayou]

[naturegirl321]

I assume your qualified, right? MA plus a couple years experience teaching?

I've seen some jobs that pay between 12,000 and 25,000 in Higher Ed Jobs and the Chronicle. Check those out.