Job Discussion Forums

incrimsonias · Joined: 04 Dec 2010 Posts: 4

Hello all! I received an offer for a college in Chengde and was wondering if I could get some opinions on it.

The salary : RMB5000yuan per month
Hours: not more than 16 teaching periods each week. The work day is from Monday to Friday. All the classes are in the morning and afternoon.
Airfare reimbursed: international roundtrip for yearlong contract
Traveling allowance:2000rmb
Apartment Provided w/ utilities and internet covered
Visa assistance

Has anyone been to Chengde and taught there? If so, was it an enjoyable experience?

I appreciate any and all responses Smile

Thanks!

Big Worm · Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Posts: 171

5000 a month is basically a volunteer position. If you don't really need to get paid for your time, this might be ok. Then again, there are probably nicer places to do volunteer work than Chengde.

west2east · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 120 Location: China

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

seamallowance · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:52 am Post subject:

Look at Big Worm's posts!
He appears to be the newest reincarnation of one of our favorite trolls.

west2east · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 120 Location: China

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

incrimsonias · Joined: 04 Dec 2010 Posts: 4

What about the city itself? Has anyone been to / lived in Chengde? Again thanks for the replies; I really appreciate it! Smile

A'Moo · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 4:12 pm Post subject:

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

I visited Chengde several times, as it was only about 140 miles north east of Beijing and I was interested in the summer resort of the Qing Dynasty.

I think you will like Chengde. It has the Chengde Mountain Resort which is the largest royal garden in China. You can also see the Putuo Zongcheng temple which was built to resemble the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, and is now a UNESCO Heritage site.

In the winter, which is about 3-4 months long, December to March, it is cold and windy, as low as -12C. Then in June, July and August it is hot and humid, usually 29C+. However, the altitude of about 1,000 metres keeps it cooler.There are sometimes dust storms in the spring.

I noticed there were many ethnic Mongol and Manchu folk in the city, and many restaurants catering for this.

As for your salary of 5,000 RMB - if they are paying your accommodation, utilities and internet, then you can live quite well on this and even save.
Usually colleges provide free lunch, so this salary is like pocket money.
Life in Chengde is markedly cheaper than in Beijing - I remember in 2008 having a restaurant dinner (starter, steak and chips +beer ) for 29RMB.

You could also try to work as an IELTS examiner (there is a great demand in this area) and triple your salary.
Don't listen to all these doom and gloom merchants.

Good luck !

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

If that is 16 teaching hours ie 45 or 50 mins in front of the class then apart from the location (of which I know nothing) this seems like a pretty standard uni offer.
I note that the airfare is an actual refund - not an allowance which may (or may not) cover the actual cost.
There is another current thread which mentions this aspect of remuneration packages with some posters saying they are getting as little as RMB6000 as a contribution to airfare at the end of 12 months.

auchtermuchty · Joined: 05 Dec 2009 Posts: 344 Location: Beijing

bluewalls · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 16

Hi incrimsonias,

My husband is considering a similar position in Chengde. How has the process been for you so far?

Thanks.

veronica2 · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Posts: 45

Looks like a very typical package. About what's to be expected for a uni job in China outside the main cities.

bluewalls · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 16

I guess I'm not asking about the contract, more what its like to live there as a foreigner.