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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Why do people still accept jobs for less than 10,000RMB
By accepting these jobs they are keeping the salaries low.
So basically, let's say for instance that you are an English teacher at a university earning between 7500 and 9000 rmb for 16 teaching hours. The teaching hours are actually 45 minutes so total workload is actually 12 hours per week with no office hours. Most employees in my own country (UK) work an average of at least 48 hours per week (4x your workload).
9000 rmb at the current exchange rate is about 1097 GB Pounds. Multiplied by four, that would be an equivalent salary in the UK would be 4388 GB Pounds per month or 52656 per year (that is a pretty good salary even for most UK employees) but the cost of living and taxation in China is much less.
But it doesn't stop there. Most English teachers also winter and summer travel allowance, round trip air tickets and, more importantly, rent free accommodation without the need to pay utilities. That is quite a bonus package that many people in the Western world would jump at. Renting accommodation in western countries absorbs maybe in some cases, at least half of an employee's salary.
And what do you do for such a package? Most of the time just talk your own native language in daily conversation with very little expectation and almost zero work pressure.
Still think that less than 10000 rmb is poor?
PS: I forgot the almost one third of the entire year that is spent on one vacation period or another with full pay and the sports events etc., when your classes are cancelled but you are still paid for the work that you have not had to do.
JustaThought:
Your answer is a well thought answer. My question was not specific enough (sorry)
The question should have been 'less than 10,000 each month'- not each week. Your math is assuming 40,000 each month, in which case the question is not even worth asking.
Kaiwen:
Nope, you have misunderstood what I am saying. 16 teaching hours per week x 45 minute teaching periods = 12 hours (or about 48 hours per month that you are actually getting paid for). Working a 48 hour week is not at all uncommon for people in similar mid range professions in the west. So effectively, the same western employees would have to earn four times the China salary to make an equal numerical hourly rate.
icnif77:
'winter and summer travel allowance' in my case is '3 x 1/2 of full salary during summer and winter recess'. It's not travel allowance!
You are keeping your salary low with your performance. See 'mirror' for more ....
JustaThought:
I'm impressed by a troll like you with 10891 posts - You must have a wonderful life ;-)
icnif77:
Today is Sabbath, so I promised my mom, I'll be nice.
I've never asked other FT: 'How much do they pay you?', because I am satisfied with pay I receive.
I opened few threads, where my pay was visible, because of guesstimations and conclusions about my pay on this Board, since I am Non.
I use 'psychology' at my work in China more than English .... in Fuk Primary in Xinjiang, I had Principal and several Chinese teachers as observers in my first class with 3rd Grade students.
After I quickly 'measured' their English ability with few simple Qs, I asked every student to get piece of paper. Once, they all had paper in their hands, I taught them how to make an airplane .... as 'follow me'.
Chinese teachers were all sitting with their mouths wide open ....''what happened to 'rote?'' ... and after we finished airplanes, class just went beserk ...... everybody was flying her/his plane and such. Mayhem!
I usually first make students like me. Only after I achieve that, I switch to English teaching. I can do anything I want in the class and everybody follows me and it doesn't matter which level I teach, i.e. I did the same as an IELTS/TOEFL prep. teacher.
In Jixian, Hebei Middle School's Principal: 'I like to walk with you through the School's quarters, because I'm amazed how students respond after they see you .....If students like their teacher, they are more eager to learn and study the subject!'
We all came to China to teach English and 'I am Native and what not', but not too many pay attention to the Chinese students.
My kids in Fuk were screaming, when I entered the classroom at the beginning of our class. I felt like 'Yao Ming came for show' to the School.
Every language has a sound, at least how I hear it ....as a song.. and English language sound is much different than Chinese language sound is.
My point is: 'English language is annoying to Chinese students same as Chinese is annoying to us (me).'
It isn't that much important are you Native or Non-native English teacher.
IMO, Chinese demand Native English teachers just for one reason:
'Their English ability is so low, that they are sure, you are teaching proper English only after they see your Native English passport.'
'Once, you achieve students like you, you'll became good teacher with higher pay'
'English teaching story' in China or elsewhere isn't about you. It's about your students!
Do you understand now, why I said: 'See mirror!'
I am not an English teacher by profession!
I have a headache. I drunk some cheap Frenchy last night ....
This again, if you think schools are going to pay more for quality and to stay legal, you're dreaming. Not commenting on the 10k thing, you're delusional. No one other than non natives take less than 10k to teach at Primary schools or training schools. Universities, you work half the hours and get 20 weeks off a year (paid) , do the fucking math. (plus accommodation)
Listen my point is this, many naive people look at all the restrictions and think, 'I 'm more valuable'. No, schools are being forced to use agencies than can skirt the regulations or they just hire illegals. The aim is actually to push qualified teachers out.
icnif77:
I received 2nd offer of 17k/m for 30 x (45') classes a week for Primary School. 1st offer was 10k for 18 classes/w, but with office hours.
After I argued, 'office hours' i.e. sitting on the ass' must be paid and if office hours aren't required, salary of 10k for 18 classes is acceptable, I received 2nd offer.
It looks, School wants to prevent 'moonlight' elsewhere.
Non-office-hours-English-teacher.
So basically, let's say for instance that you are an English teacher at a university earning between 7500 and 9000 rmb for 16 teaching hours. The teaching hours are actually 45 minutes so total workload is actually 12 hours per week with no office hours. Most employees in my own country (UK) work an average of at least 48 hours per week (4x your workload).
9000 rmb at the current exchange rate is about 1097 GB Pounds. Multiplied by four, that would be an equivalent salary in the UK would be 4388 GB Pounds per month or 52656 per year (that is a pretty good salary even for most UK employees) but the cost of living and taxation in China is much less.
But it doesn't stop there. Most English teachers also winter and summer travel allowance, round trip air tickets and, more importantly, rent free accommodation without the need to pay utilities. That is quite a bonus package that many people in the Western world would jump at. Renting accommodation in western countries absorbs maybe in some cases, at least half of an employee's salary.
And what do you do for such a package? Most of the time just talk your own native language in daily conversation with very little expectation and almost zero work pressure.
Still think that less than 10000 rmb is poor?
PS: I forgot the almost one third of the entire year that is spent on one vacation period or another with full pay and the sports events etc., when your classes are cancelled but you are still paid for the work that you have not had to do.
JustaThought:
Your answer is a well thought answer. My question was not specific enough (sorry)
The question should have been 'less than 10,000 each month'- not each week. Your math is assuming 40,000 each month, in which case the question is not even worth asking.
Kaiwen:
Nope, you have misunderstood what I am saying. 16 teaching hours per week x 45 minute teaching periods = 12 hours (or about 48 hours per month that you are actually getting paid for). Working a 48 hour week is not at all uncommon for people in similar mid range professions in the west. So effectively, the same western employees would have to earn four times the China salary to make an equal numerical hourly rate.
icnif77:
'winter and summer travel allowance' in my case is '3 x 1/2 of full salary during summer and winter recess'. It's not travel allowance!
I used to work in the hospitality industry in my home country. I held various jobs, from chef to waiter to barman to manager.
I figured out how to earn more money in an industry with weak labour laws, generally clueless employees and unscrupulous bosses. These parallels can be seen in the Chinese ESL industry.
The key was to market yourself as a skilled individual who can talk the talk and walk the walk. Once you're hired make yourself indispensable to the running of the business. You do this by making sure some aspects of the running of the business can be done by you and only you. If this means training others inadequately so it makes you look more competent then so be it. Forge relationships with management and important customers - don't kiss ass, just be competent, professional and friendly.
Robk:
This certainly sounds like China.
Many times when you go to a place that requires someone to fulfill a simple task... ONLY one person can do it and they are usually out getting drunk on a liquid lunch.
It's a low cost economy. That's why Trump has his ties made here. That's why Trump bought his steel here.
I have seen questions on expat websites asking " how much should we pay our maid?". The answer normally says that the local rate should be paid.
I like to tip for good service. I almost always tip taxi drivers for example. My wife hates this. She says my tipping encourages the taxi drivers to expect more. She says pay them as little as you can, to stop them becoming greedy and lazy.
I see it differently. Tip them. They can then use the extra to pay for extra education for their kids.
Capitalist society is supposed to be based on market forces. Migrants are normally expected to take lower paid jobs then the native born locals. But migrants to china seem to expect western wages, that are way way higher than the local market dictates.
I could earn double in my native country than I get paid here. If I want more money, no problem, I move there.
If you want paid more, move to a higher paying country.
bat22:
maybe trunp buys his steel here is because they no longer produce steel in america maybe the chinese bought the steel mills in the us and dismantled them and sent them to china just maybe or actual fact such as kaiser steel in fontana ca the chinese shipped the whole facrory back to china
For many ESL teachers, it is not about money. They are here for a year, maybe two. They are here for a wide range of reasons, beyond money.
For me, I am very content with my pay due to the reasons Kaiwen described. In America, I was hard pressed to have any money left after taxes and other deductions, cost of living, and all my living expenses. I would be lucky to put $300 a month into savings. In China, I can easily save $1000 a month without feeling like I have to give anything up.
Bump and pints! I want my jackets soon!
Please, award 2 pints for this bump! I am over the daily pints limit!
Let's break 'Redeem bank'!