Job Discussion Forums

[endo]

Hi everybody

I will be graduating this spring and I am looking to teach English oversea's for a couple of years before I begin my Master's degree.

China is my number 1 choice (specifically Shanghai), as I would like to pick up some Mandarin and use China as a strating point for a larger Asian backpacking advebture.

With this in mind, is it realistic that I could save about $75,000 Canadian over two years teaching english in China?

If so where where would be the best city to look for work?
and
Is there a market for private lessons on top of your job and how much can one charge?

Thanks everybody, I appreciate the assistance.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

The short answer is: hahahahHAHA! dream on buddy!

$75,000 in two years? Are you for real?

Most teachers in China (Except maybe Dashan) make anywhere near that coin, let alone be able to save it.

It is theoretically possible to save that kind of money in Japan, but you have to work your little behind off with no rest or time for yourself what-so-ever.

I earn about 6000 Yuan a month. That is less than $1,000 Canadian. This is good money where I am, a small city that is very cheap to live in.

I actually am saving money here, living off of about $500 a month and keeping the rest under my bed.

In Korea I was pulling roughly $2,000 a month, but I was spending almost all of it every month.

Taiwan earned me about $2,000 a month also, but I had expenses so didn't save a nickle.

In Japan I earned over $4,000 a month, but Japan is so expensive I actually went into a small hole.

This is all for working "normal hours". No overtime, no special classes, no privates.

Do the math then re-consider your money goals. I would suggest the Middle East, but now is not a good time to live there for a million and one reasons.

[Gonzo]

Save that much? Unlikely to impossible. The exception would be international schools, of which there are several in Shanghai. I save from 1 to 1.5 K AUD a month, which is roughly the same as the Canadian $, and I'm on a decent salary.
International schools are the only way to make big money teaching.

[lagerlout2006]

What a question!!! Doing some quick math you want to save 36 000 CDN a year. That is 3K a month or RMB 15 000...

Not saying it can't be done but I have only seen 1 job adverised at 15K. And that would have been hard to get without Celta or MA or experience----or all of those...Another thing is how will you get all that loot out of PRC.

Maybe try the province of Hong Kong...

[endo]

well thanks for the wake-up call everybody!

Don't get me wrong, i'm not all about money - but I have a future to plan and all.

I think i'll reconsider my options in Japan (don't know if I could handle the female restrictions in the Middle East for a whole year!).

Thanks again


p.s. - Has anybody here working in China made it to Tibet?

[ChinaLady]

yes, went last summer.
it is beautiful. the people (Tibetans) are quite honest (stay away from the Chinese merchants - they are not honest!)
several Tibetans we met had acceptable English skills and were really open about discussing the political situation - mainly the Tibetans do NOT like the Chinese, resent them for coming in and "taking over their country" BUT will tell you how their lives have improved. things like running water, better sanitation, and more schools.
visit the former homes of the monks - make your own mind up.
hike up to all the temples. it is all worth the back and knee pain.
the children are beautiful, the people on pilgrimage in their finest clothes (native handwoven) are a delight to the eye and the camera.
go for at least a week. you will need a couple days to adjust to the altitude - this is serious! there are flights to Lahassa from several Chinese cities. go and enjoy!

[Roger]

Can$ 75'000 net savings in two years? Hmmm, if you have something to sell here, perhaps...
But if you are green you haven't got the right stuff to offer.
There are greener pastures elsewhere - for example Canada!

The burn-out rate here is quite amazing, by the way!

[struelle]

[lagerlout2006]

Steve ---Is there a Wall St school or are you being funny and saying he should go to New York City?

I was in Korea and could not save even a quarter of what he is suggesting. (Lets be honest I saved Nothing!) Some have suggested they are banking 2K a month (which I dont believe for a second) but he is talking about TWICE that. OK now someone will post they are making even more . OK.

Really though how do you want to live? There are a lot of holidays in China. Are you going to sit in your flat all the time ?? Or look for "privates"-whatever they are. Am I the only one that finds it depressing that the first question out of a newbie is "How much can I save and where???"

Bartending pays well.

[naturegirl321]

[quote="The Great Wall of Whiner"].

Taiwan earned me about $2,000 a month also, but I had expenses so didn't save a nickle.
quote]

Wow. I'm surprised. I thought that people saved about 1000 USD a month in Taiwan.

[batman]

if you manage to get your own tv show, and are hired to advertise stuff, sure you could save that kind of money...the rest of us are lucky to save anything at all. i did very well saving the fist year here, but since, have fallen prey to too many western restaurants, buying too much computer hardware...and taking to many vacations to thailand and hong kong. you might want to revise your esitimates a bit, and be realistic about the cost of living. you can only eat instant noodles for so long.

[struelle]

[Gonzo]

Lager, I don't think anyone on this thread mentioned saving US$2,000, though you'd do it on an international school salary. As for Wall St, and Web International is another, remember you've got rent and utilities to pay for, so there goes 4,000Y. Anyway, why come here to work a 40 hour week? I could do that at home. 16 hours is one of the big attractions of this place, and at the moment that's conveniently divided into 2 full days, and two where I'm through by 11.30. Now, THAT'S sweet.

[endo]

thanks everybody for the responses

[Nate]