Job Discussion Forums

[rioux]

How common is it for a university to put in the contract that the native English teachers they hire are not allowed to teach private lessons?

[chinadad]

I think just about every contract has a stipulation that you have to follow the laws and customs of China - teaching privates is illegal - so even if the contract doesn't spell it out in black and white it's still a potential contract breaker.
Saying that - I've never heard of any employer going after an FT because of privates - which they never have to know about!!!!!

[rioux]

Thanks.

I was under the assumption that it was legal to do in China but not legal if your specific contract said it wasn't.

[Shroob]

[Non Sequitur]

Even if you don't get specific consent as long as you don't rub the administration's nose in it you should be OK.
I worked Saturday mornings downtown and was out of my apartment by 8am and there were few if any Chinese staff around at that hour.
Some of my best privates have come from FAO referrals.
Another pointer to perhaps keeping it quiet, is it is not unknown for an FAO to put the bite on your language school for a kick back.

[johntpartee]

[MisterButtkins]

I work at a uni and Chinese teachers at the English department at my school, as well as the English department secretary (ie, the lady who actually runs everything), have approached me about doing private tutoring for various people they know.

Some schools I think have a more hands-off policy, like, as long as you are not too obvious about it, it's OK.

[walkinginmemphis]

It is part of the SAFEA contract and the Immigration/Visa related laws that you cannot do work "paid or unpaid" that is not part of your actual job and actual physical address stipulated in the contract; the exception is, if you have written permission from your employer, then it's all legal. Simply get permission.