Job Discussion Forums

ContemporaryDog · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 1477 Location: Wuhan, China

I'm coming towards the end of my first year in China, and am starting to look for something else starting in September. I have been teaching at a Primary School in Wuhan, and have a Degree plus CELTA certificate.

What kind of salary can I reasonably expect for my second year? Ideally I'd like something between 8-10,000. How realistic is this?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I think find a school you like and start negotiating, anything's possible in China.

Guest · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 10:02 pm Post subject:

I am staying here for a second year and it never even crossed my mind that I might get a salary increase - I will be happy to sign up for the same amount - 3,500 yuan, as it covers all my needs plus all the childrens needs. The money really does go a long way here in China - thank goodness.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I am currently making 4000rmb per month (plus a host of "extras" - the usual that most of you get, but I think there are a couple of things that maybe some of you don't get). Anyway, I asked for 6,000 for next year and we both settled on 5,000 (that's the amount I was REALLY after anyway - - I mean, if I asked for six and they actually gave it to me, I wouldn't have cried. I wonder what would have happened if I asked for 8000?). This year I bought my own computer and a satellite dish plus a few other odds and ends to make my apartment a "home", so next year I expect (I hope) I'll actually be able to save a little dough.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

nothing to say.

k2cloudz · Joined: 22 Oct 2003 Posts: 17

I think 8000 is reasonable for the outback. . . but it depends on what outback. If you get some small town near a big city you can make alot. I work for 150 per hour, but I only work 14 hours per week. Consider how much the students pay for your class, then consider how many students are in your class, and work out your sallary from there. Absolutly refuse to work for anything less than 100rmb per hour. Anyone who works for peanuts is just undercutting the market and ruining oppertunites for others.

You have come to China from a foriegn country. If you have a degree that cost you thousands of dollars then why would you work for pocketchange? A little money DOES go a long way in China, but when you take it home it wont be much at all.

Remind your self that you have the power to refuse a job befor you start negotiating a sallary. Let the headmaster know that you have that power. Be bold and go into negotiations with high expectations and refuse to undersell your qualifications.

ContemporaryDog · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 1477 Location: Wuhan, China

[quote="william wallace"]When I first came to these golden shores,I thought I was worth a mint(Franklin mint)Now after many years of pragmatic implementation I realize that I am worth---------------100rmb per hour ,unless I exagerate and lie!!!!!.200 rmb an hour involves Academy award-like acting.300Rmb per hour involves a departure from reality("I'll be back"-Shwartzeneggerism)
seriously though.....go for the 8,000 ,and ya can say goodbye to instant noodles! But, it depends on your location-In the BIG cities 10,000-16,000 should be within reason.In the outback,8,000 should be reasonable.[/quote]

Right, well I'm looking for something in somewhere like Guanzhou or Shenzen or Shanghai.

There was one job advertised on the ESLCafe's job board that pays 24,000 USD a year. That sounds amazingly good in China, but I'm not sure whether it wants fully qualified teachers or more experience or what - not all that clear!

One thing that puzzles me is why more qualified teachers in the UK don't look for jobs in Asia, since teaching pays so rubbish in London whilst paying damn good money in international schools.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

[quote="Laurent"]

Guest · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 1:17 pm Post subject:

Dear Laurent

I will explain why I am working for 3,500 yuan per month! I originally signed a 12 month contract back in August last year at 2,500 y per month. The other two "teachers" here, one from the U.S.A. (who has since done a runner) and the other one from Australia were both receiving this amount.

Then, a new teacher arrived about a month later. He was straight from Uni. and qualified and was offered 3,500 y per month. I did not mind as I was not in the same league as him, but the guy from the U.S.A. kicked up about it, so we were alli given 3,500 per month from then on. This was great for me as I need the extra loot.

I only teach 10 HOURS PER WEEK. The School is very supportive of my "outside activities". I can have anyone I wish stay here in one of the vacant apartments and indeed I have another Australian lady arriving on Wednesday for 5 nights. She is highly qualified from what I can gather and has been here for 3 months and is returning to Australia next Monday. I have not met her, only chatted over the Internet.

You asked for an explanation as to why I would accept 3,500 y per month - NO DEGREE, NO QUALIFICATIONS AND NO EXPERIENCE. That is my explanation. Having said that, the School have indicated their willingless to let me stay here long term (about 3 more years) until I retire somewhere in a unit close by.

Rhino · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 2:07 pm Post subject:

i'm in the outback with no degree and no experience making 8000RMBs, but I teach 30 classes a week. I've sent home a crap load of money but I'm getting burned out. For those of you not following, I work 2 hours north of Gaungzhou in a city called Yinde(POP. 100,000). Its tough but I work for a great company! Three openings in September. PM me if you want the info pack. I would stay but I promised family to be home for Christmas this time. I will come bacK! Very Happy

P.S. I think it will be easier next term. They realize that 28 classes inbetween 8:30am and 6pm is a bit too much per week. Cheers Cool

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Laurent,
what nonsense are you pouring into this forum? 6000 for a Chinese Joe Public with a college or uni degree? You must be hallucinating!

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

One of my biggest considerations when I was renegotiating my contract for next year was, do I really want to move? There are several things I could leave behind, but I hate the idea of packing everything up and relocating to a different school and/or a different town. I know the people here now and have a couple of friends. I know my students and I know some are improving (thanks to me?). My apartment is a little messy, yet comfortable for me (except for those really hot/really cold days when the power goes out!) and I have my satellite TV all hooked up and everything.

Could I make more than 5000 in a first year job somewhere else? Maybe, but I'm "okay" with the amount and I'm happy to settle in here for another year (this one went by so very quickly!)

Guest · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 9:22 pm Post subject:

Laurent

I am not selling myself for less. Only teaching 10 hours per week - 14 (40 minutes) lessons is very little and taking into account my age, lack of experience etc. I consider myself VERY LUCKY INDEED to have been given this opportunity that others only dream about.

It has never been about money for me, and never will be.

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

Please double, and triple, - check your sources, Laurent, as I question much of what you're presenting here as fact. There is no way on this earth that your average Chinese teacher at a university makes 6000 RMB per month. At 4500 RMB I make over four times what my colleagues do and all of them have "higher education." Granted, we're in a small city, but ... I doubt they make 6 times that much elsewhere. Where is it the average? Could you please find some reliable sources, or at least speak from first - hand experience, before throwing numbers out there.