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Transpective
Joined: 19 Jan 2011
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:56 am Post subject: Am I in search of Gold Mountain? (Teaching to pay loan debt) |
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| How reasonable of an idea is it to move to China to teach as a way of paying back student loans (about $300 a month)? My primary focus, to be honest, is to become proficient in Mandarin, so does it make more sense to just get an education deferment and try to get into an exchange program at a Chinese University? I hear that some Universities would allow one to teach a few hours a week as well as take classes, which may be a myth, but it sounds like a sexy deal. I'd really like to have a CELTA just for personal development (I really want to become a more skilled teacher), but I don't know how I'd afford it right now, and if Im gonna spend that much on something, maybe I should just try to go back to school. These are my dilemmas...what are your thoughts? |
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PathToChina
Joined: 04 Feb 2012
Posts: 17
Location: California U.S.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:03 am Post subject: Re: Am I in search of Gold Mountain? (Teaching to pay loan d |
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| Transpective wrote: |
| How reasonable of an idea is it to move to China to teach as a way of paying back student loans (about $300 a month)? My primary focus, to be honest, is to become proficient in Mandarin, so does it make more sense to just get an education deferment and try to get into an exchange program at a Chinese University? I hear that some Universities would allow one to teach a few hours a week as well as take classes, which may be a myth, but it sounds like a sexy deal. I'd really like to have a CELTA just for personal development (I really want to become a more skilled teacher), but I don't know how I'd afford it right now, and if Im gonna spend that much on something, maybe I should just try to go back to school. These are my dilemmas...what are your thoughts? |
If you are really willing to learn Mandarin, take the chance. Defer the loans and come to China. Currently, I am teaching in a university AND taking Mandarin courses, definitely possible. Getting the CELTA, TEFL/TESOL will only help you in the long run as many schools in China LOVE certs.
It really isn't a bad deal here in China. Livable salary per month, low teaching hours per week, tons of vacation time. What other job do you work 32 weeks per year and have 20 weeks paid holiday?!? =) |
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rogerwilco
Joined: 10 Jun 2010
Posts: 1549
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Am I in search of Gold Mountain? (Teaching to pay loan d |
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| PathToChina wrote: |
It really isn't a bad deal here in China. Livable salary per month, low teaching hours per week, tons of vacation time. What other job do you work 32 weeks per year and have 20 weeks paid holiday?!? =) |
Very few of the jobs in China give you 20 weeks of paid holiday for only 32 weeks of work.
More schools now offer only 10 month contracts. My contract at a college is for about
40 weeks of work with about 6 weeks of holiday.
(I now see that pathtochina is a recruiter spamming the forum)
OP:
Paying a student loan of $300 a month might be difficult if you are only earning about $600 to $700 a month.
Check out the other thread regarding the CELTA in China, it may or may not be worth your time and money. I am not aware of any typical job that will pay you more just because you have a CELTA. |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:49 am Post subject: Re: Am I in search of Gold Mountain? (Teaching to pay loan d |
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| Transpective wrote: |
| How reasonable of an idea is it to move to China to teach as a way of paying back student loans (about $300 a month)? |
If you land a job in an international school (or another high-paying institution), it is thinkable. Otherwise, forget it.
While it is possible to save the equivalent of three hundred dollars out of your seven hundred, the lifestyle afforded by the remaining income isn't very desirable.
I don't know why China became a Mecca for otherwise unemployable westerners. I came to China because I wanted to teach but tertiary level jobs in my area were scarce, not because I couldn't get another job. I can make more money as a grocery store clerk in the U.S..
I recommend that you ask for deferred payment and continue to look for a job back home. Most government loans will give a three year interest-free grace period. In some cases you can get another interest-free year's deference.
If you are fresh out of college, the likelihood that you'll score a job in an interesting city and in a school that pays well is almost nil. |
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PathToChina
Joined: 04 Feb 2012
Posts: 17
Location: California U.S.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:49 am Post subject: Re: Am I in search of Gold Mountain? (Teaching to pay loan d |
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| rogerwilco wrote: |
| PathToChina wrote: |
It really isn't a bad deal here in China. Livable salary per month, low teaching hours per week, tons of vacation time. What other job do you work 32 weeks per year and have 20 weeks paid holiday?!? =) |
Very few of the jobs in China give you 20 weeks of paid holiday for only 32 weeks of work.
More schools now offer only 10 month contracts. My contract at a college is for about
40 weeks of work with about 6 weeks of holiday.
(I now see that pathtochina is a recruiter spamming the forum)
OP:
Paying a student loan of $300 a month might be difficult if you are only earning about $600 to $700 a month.
Check out the other thread regarding the CELTA in China, it may or may not be worth your time and money. I am not aware of any typical job that will pay you more just because you have a CELTA. |
Been teaching in China for the past 4 years and have also spoken to many of those teaching in local provinces as well. IF you work for a proper government owned school, it is possible. IF you work for a training school, then definitely not.
I am not looking to spam the forum guys, just giving you some real advice from someone who has lived here for 4 years. |
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rogerwilco
Joined: 10 Jun 2010
Posts: 1549
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:09 am Post subject: Re: Am I in search of Gold Mountain? (Teaching to pay loan d |
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| PathToChina wrote: |
Been teaching in China for the past 4 years and have also spoken to many of those teaching in local provinces as well. IF you work for a proper government owned school, it is possible. IF you work for a training school, then definitely not.
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I have always worked for "proper" government owned schools, and I have never had a 12 month contract that gave me 20 weeks of paid holiday. |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:30 am Post subject: Re: Am I in search of Gold Mountain? (Teaching to pay loan d |
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| rogerwilco wrote: |
I have always worked for "proper" government owned schools, and I have never had a 12 month contract that gave me 20 weeks of paid holiday. |
Same here. |
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