Job Discussion Forums

[bohsjeff]

i am looking at moving there in November and I am wondering is it possible to get a job now or is it best too wait for a month before i go? also is it best if your new to the whole thing to work for ef? can you recommend any schools? one more question, can anybody tell me the average wage so i know what too apply for?

thanks in advance.

[chryanvii]

I suggest not moving there. I live here now and it BLOWS. Consider moving to a second or third tier city instead, where there is still some actual chinese culture left, and where every other person you see is not a whity. Unless, of course, that is your thing.

Cost of living - too &^%#$'ing high, among many other things. Don't make the same mistake I did.

[askiptochina]

Why Shanghai?

[bohsjeff]

Thanks for the response.

Main reason behind Shanghai is because basically it seems like a like a lively place to spend a bit of time and central enough to travel around from.

To be honest not to keen on it now. I have had offers for both shanghai and nanjing. Has anybody ever been there before and if so is it a good place?

[dean_a_jones]

Keep in mind Shanghai is a very large, very international city, and like other such cities in the world, there are positives and negatives that go with this.

It is very modern and very international, so if part of your coming to China is to experience "authentic traditional" culture, you may be a bit let down (though you might be a bit let down wherever you go these days). It is also very expensive, and people are considered to be driven by money and profit and not as friendly as other places.

Sound familiar? That's because you need to think of Shanghai like New York, or London--the kind of cities that some people love and some people hate for any number of reasons. If you like sprawling metropolitan centres (and lots of people do), then it might be for you.

It is certainly quite Chinese, but in the same way the NYC is American--if your dream of America is lumberjacks and farmers riding around in pick-up trucks, probably not the place to set yourself up.

As for jobs--read posts here, there is a ton of advice for new teachers at the moment, as so many are coming over. You job opportunities will depend on qualifications and teaching experience. There will not be so many public school positions at the moment, as the semester starts soon so most will have hired teachers already. Training schools like EF tend to hire year round and have more turnover. Much like Shanghai, each have their defenders and detractors.

One thing I will say is that Shanghai will have a steep learning curve for a new teacher--if you don't know what you are doing, it will chew you up and spit you out. Make sure you do your research and get your head around cost of living, contracts, conditions etc. Wherever you go you should have this kind of information, but it is even more important if you don't want to end up on a very disappointing and very expensive holiday to Shanghai (or a long, miserable year living there).

[bohsjeff]

I get the idea that rent is about 4 to 5k per month and as I would be living wither herself that works out ok. In terms of cost of living per month does anyone have any rough idea?

I am really interested in Shanghai as it seems to be a mad place that should be visited.

[askiptochina]

[bohsjeff]

seems ok to me to start for a while. when you take a job what happens if you want to move to another school or town before your contract is up??
Does a school tie you down for a year or do you have freedom to move around a bit?

Thanks in advance folks

[dean_a_jones]