Korean Job Discussion Forums

[WadRUG'naDoo]

For only 45 classes.

I love China.

[tukmax]

Goodstuff. Positive stories are always welcome

Can you share with us the story about how you got to where you are in China? There are a lot of us who are thinking of making the leap there when we are done in Korea, myself included, and I would like to know how you got the job/location, etc.

[Globutron]

[WadRUG'naDoo]

I came to Shanghai with pretty much one school in mind and got the job.

My OP was a bit of a joke. I have 3-hour (4/week) and 1.5 hour (2/week) classes. And one 4 hour class/week. Four 45-minute classes. Three days a week I go in for 3 hours and go home. Done teaching = go home. Altogether, it's counted as 91 hours of teaching that includes a field trip that's counted as four hours. Those hours aren't to the minute. Of course I get breaks (take them when I see fit, really).

Job conditons are pretty good except that I have to work weekends and have only one day off a week for summer and winter sessions (six weeks each).

OT is after 69 teaching hours. Still have to find an apartment, but I'm only paying 2000 rmb/month right now. Probably it will be 2500/month for rent. Need a one-month deposit and rent is paid every three months. So you need four months up front. Taxes are low where I work. They count half of my base salary as a housing allowance. Medical is 20/80 in my favor. That's for medical bills.

[nukeday]

in 2009 i had quite a few decent job offers in shanghai.

this year i tried applying and it seemed really dry. maybe the recruiter didnt like me as much, or maybe it was because i applied from within korea.

at any rate, at least another year in hermitland.

[Sergio Stefanuto]

I'm strongly considering China when I'm done in Saudi, but I do worry about noise, so a rural location would be nice

[WadRUG'naDoo]

Yeah, it's better to come here. I don't even have to leave the country to get my work visa. Came in on a 30-day tourist visa and extended it while working. No problem.

I thought the place where I'm working were only paying up to a certain amount, but they quickly told me at the interview that I would make more because of my experience.

Nice.

In bigger cities, you most likely will need some kind of teaching certificate to teach at a public school (or private/international school), but not at an academy. I don't have a teaching license or the like. You may need 2 years experience in Shanghai. Your workplace gets you a Foreign Language Expert certificate to get your working visa.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

[tukmax]

Thanks, WadRugndoo.

How about your thoughts about living in Shanghai in general, ie. social life, night life, entertainment, day to day experiences compared to Korea?

[WadRUG'naDoo]

[wiganer]

[World Traveler]

18,000.00 CNY = 3,194,833.90 KRW = 2,656.83 USD

That's a pretty good wage!

And I imagine you are able to save a lot, as most things in China are dirt cheap.

[Mr. Pink]

[Bloopity Bloop]

I lived in Shanghai for a year. Certainly a lot more to do than in Seoul! I enjoy living in both places, but miss Shanghai a lot and luckily will be going there next month for a week or so.

OH SHANGHAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tomwaits]

Before everyone heads for the Chinese embassy for a visa consider a couple of things.

There is not nearly as much to do there as in Seoul (at least in English.) No bookstores like Kyobo and no movies in Eng to name 2 things. Not much (if any) live music. And the attractions ,while stunning the first time, grow tiring.

And "dirt cheap" is small town China-not Shanghai. I recal at places like malones American Bar and the like a draft was 50 rmb---about 6 US dollars. But I guess if you make 18K....

But I don't want to be a stick in the mud---I do like China. It's just pricier and a little.......more difficult in many ways than Korea. Also worse students (IMO) and mind torturing humidity in summers.

cheers