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itiswhatitis
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
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 Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:08 am Post subject: Seoul VS. Shanghai |
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My buddy did 4 years in Seoul and had been in Shanghai for 6 months.
Maybe he's still in the honeymoon phase, but he says that Shanghai is a million times better than Seoul.
He gives many specific examples, but these are the top three for him:
1) Higher quality expats.
2) More chances to make extra money (conversation classes at Starbucks etc).
3) More chances to learn the local language (Mandarin). He says that Mandarin classes are EVERYWHERE and that their quality is very good and that classes are available at alll times of day/weekends.
Is this true????
Please let me know. Remember: I think that this may be specific to Shanghai and not all of China.
Thanks!!! |
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Malislamusrex
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:21 am Post subject: Re: Seoul VS. Shanghai |
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| Everyone I know who works a regular ESL job in Shanghai say that it is much better than Korea. Downside, there isn't a route to higher education there. If anyone wants to teach ESL for a few years it IS the place to go. |
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I'm With You
Joined: 01 Sep 2011
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: Seoul VS. Shanghai |
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| Malislamusrex wrote: |
| there isn't a route to higher education there. |
Can you explain what you mean by this? |
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Malislamusrex
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Seoul VS. Shanghai |
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This is second and information.
The guys in Shanghai say that it's very difficult to get into the good universities that pay well.
They say that there are a lot of smaller ones that don't pay much and it's better to do a 'regular' ESL job by comparison.
What they suggest if you want to take the MA > PhD > Publishing papers > Professor, it's much easier in Korea.
But.
90% of ESL teachers in Shanghai simply don't care about that option.
| I'm With You wrote: |
| Malislamusrex wrote: |
| there isn't a route to higher education there. |
Can you explain what you mean by this? |
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Shimokitazawa
Joined: 14 Dec 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Seoul VS. Shanghai |
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| Malislamusrex wrote: |
This is second and information.
The guys in Shanghai say that it's very difficult to get into the good universities that pay well.
They say that there are a lot of smaller ones that don't pay much and it's better to do a 'regular' ESL job by comparison.
What they suggest if you want to take the MA > PhD > Publishing papers > Professor, it's much easier in Korea.
But.
90% of ESL teachers in Shanghai simply don't care about that option.
| I'm With You wrote: |
| Malislamusrex wrote: |
| there isn't a route to higher education there. |
Can you explain what you mean by this? |
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You're talking about working in universities not studying at them.
I had a job offer that was for 4,000 RMB in Shanghai a few years ago. Not great. |
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rollo
Joined: 10 May 2006
Location: China
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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The good money in China is not at the Universities. The University jobs are low hours, typically 12- 16 , so you can work at other esl gigs easily. But university pay for esl is about 5000 RMB.
people making real money in Shanghai are free lancing, working part time at several schools giving private lessons.
Also International schools pay very very well. Wall Street and Disney schools also pay around 12-14 thousand a month. Some top teachers at Wall Street are at 16 thousand or more.
There is a lot of money in Shanghai, also a lot of competition. To really make the money you have to hustle , always be prepared and able to bring your A game. That means dressing well, investing in nice business cards, nettworking like crazy, develop your teaching skills. Playing hangman and playing the guitar in class will not cut it. Too many foreigners chasing the money. |
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Moondoggy
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
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| Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 11:39 pm Post subject: Re: Seoul VS. Shanghai |
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| itiswhatitis wrote: |
My buddy did 4 years in Seoul and had been in Shanghai for 6 months.
Maybe he's still in the honeymoon phase, but he says that Shanghai is a million times better than Seoul.
He gives many specific examples, but these are the top three for him:
1) Higher quality expats.
2) More chances to make extra money (conversation classes at Starbucks etc).
3) More chances to learn the local language (Mandarin). He says that Mandarin classes are EVERYWHERE and that their quality is very good and that classes are available at alll times of day/weekends.
Is this true????
Please let me know. Remember: I think that this may be specific to Shanghai and not all of China.
Thanks!!! |
what do you mean by "1) Higher quality expats. "?
could you please elaborate? |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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| rollo wrote: |
The good money in China is not at the Universities. The University jobs are low hours, typically 12- 16 , so you can work at other esl gigs easily. But university pay for esl is about 5000 RMB. This is true, and the low pay is a reason that I don't work at a university. That, and the thought of teaching oral English to large classes of mostly disinterested college aged students seems dreadful to me, haha.
people making real money in Shanghai are free lancing, working part time at several schools giving private lessons. That may be true for many, but I make pretty decent coin without doing any of that.
Also International schools pay very very well. Wall Street and Disney schools also pay around 12-14 thousand a month. Some top teachers at Wall Street are at 16 thousand or more. Spot on.
There is a lot of money in Shanghai, also a lot of competition. To really make the money you have to hustle , always be prepared and able to bring your A game. That means dressing well, investing in nice business cards, nettworking like crazy, develop your teaching skills. Playing hangman and playing the guitar in class will not cut it. Too many foreigners chasing the money. I don't know about the first part. Just about every NET at my school does extra work outside of school (I'm married and value my time more) and I am sure that that side work came pretty easily. I agree with the second part. |
My take on rollo's post is in blue. I lived in Seoul for 5 years (Apkujung and Konkkuk Uni area) and am in my third year in Shanghai. Shanghai is better in nearly every way to/for me. That's no slight on Seoul, as I did enjoy it there.
The locals are mostly friendly, helpful and welcoming people. I'm married to a C national and I don't recall ever being stared at or had anything remotely negative said when out with my wife (or alone for that matter).
As far as the "higher quality expat" thing goes; I'd choose to say that there is a different expat scene here. Most everyone I know studies and tries to use the local language, is interested in career development, and seems to really enjoy China in general. There is more variation in English speakers from different walks of life/countries. Oh yeah, I certainly don't know of many (next to none) Canadians around here like in Korea, so that is hugely different. |
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ifa79
Joined: 29 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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I lived in Seoul for six years and love it. I've been in ruralish China for the past two years and planning to move into the Shanghai area in the Fall. I'm really looking forward to Shanghai because it is a nice city with great energy and some cool neighbourhoods. I'm in international schools now so no longer teaching ESL.
Here is my perspective:
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