Job Discussion Forums

sanpedro72 · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 86 Location: Earth

Hi all,

I have an offer for a boarding school in Foshan City. 6 days + 1 one day off + 4 or 5 days back on + 2-3 off. Is this typical for a boarding school? For a 10,500 flight allowance and 11,500 salary with housing is this a good deal? I searched hi and low for a price index for Guangzhou and (or vs.) Foshan City but failed to get a result that itemizes more than 5 items. Choosing this job depends, well, on the cost of living. I'm talking about the sin items, transportation costs, clothing (market and retail), western and chinese food costs and the like. Can someone give me a hand? I am pretty new to the concept of working in China, and I know about the recent tax hike that may impact my decision. I've got an offer on the table and school starts on the 1st of Sept.

Cheers,

Jacob

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Apart from the hours, remuneration seems OK for an international school.
I think you need to tie down those hours before getting into the cost of living aspects.
Are they contact teaching hours and if so how long is the standard teaching hour?
Are they part teaching and part admin?
What paid holidays so you get? The next lot will be Chinese NY and you should get 3-5 weeks paid holiday.
I tend to favour work/life balance rather than solely remuneration.

sanpedro72 · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 86 Location: Earth

Hey, thanks for replying.

I wrote the school back but it's weekend...anyhow

Two teachers: both I and someone else will share elementary. One will take 1-3, the other 4-5. I politely requested that I have either of those that will give the me 1 day then 3 days off (at the end the second week, the children go home to their parents). The class periods are 40-45 min long (I assume 40 for the youngest) with approx 44 classroom hours for every two weeks. Does this sound ok?

I receive paid holidays, but the annual contract is cut short when the school year finishes...so I am not paid for summer holiday...well unless I renew I guess. The contract doesn't mention it.

The contract itself doesn't mention admin hours. As they are putting me in a place either in or similar to a dorm, I imagine I can go home when I don't have a class or when I'm done prepping.

Is there anything else I should ask this potential employer? I have had the short end of the stick in about 50% of my jobs so far, so I don't want spend 10 months worn out without the energy to travel. Thanks for your assistance. J

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

44 hours each 40 to 45 mins over two weeks, sounds passable for an international school.
Not sure about accom still as sharing isn't a good option (according to those who have done it) and you need to know about the Chinese NY. The end of academic in about July sounds OK but just check that if you re-sign for another year, are you paid for July/August? If not then can you continue to live in the accommodation. Generally we work an eleven month paid year.
This gig sounds a bit like Clifton School. If it is, PM me as I have some background.