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Q: 30 classes per week. Is that normal?
I've just started to work for a school that requires 30 classes per week. I've been a teacher before, but I've never worked at or been told to work so many classes per week. Monday and Friday are especially grueling days. The school hasn't finished transferring my working visa and I am having doubts about staying.
I was told when I signed a contract that the school already had one foreign teacher and would hire two additional teachers (including me) to share 60 classes per week. Since I signed my contract the school afterwards decided no additional teacher is necessary (so two teachers to share 60 classes).
The salary is 5000 basic salary + 60rmb per class. Teach Grade 7, 8, 10, 11, and International students. Need to weekly design and submit own lesson plans for each grade level.
My schedule is
Monday-> Morning 3 classes, Afternoon 4 classes
Tuesday-> Morning 3 classes, Afternoon 1 class
Wednesday-> Morning 3 classes, Afternoon 3 classes
Friday-> Morning 3 classes, Afternoon 4 classes, Evening 2 classes (50 minute break between afternoon and evening)
Saturday-> Afternoon 4 classes
Do you have a contract a z visa?
If you don't , walk.
If you do, exercise the probationary period release or the 30 day release and walk.
Your post is odd. You claim to have worked before but you don't know to check the class hours on the contract before working?
Maybe the CFTU can help you.
12,200¥ ?
every other benefit ? good apt. ? Health insurance? meal when u r at school?
If so, I would say not bad. Definitely higher than average teaching load, but compensation isn't way off....
umm...
Not for that salary. You are being taken for a ride, sorry.
Get out, now!
This schedule is madness, you will be burned-out very fast if you remotely care about your class. No amount of money can't prevent that in the long run. You are being exploited.
Did you sign for such conditions ?
"yes" => lesson learned, I guess ? Resign or renegociate for having half of all those classes, before you're burned out. And for at least the same income.
"no" => Go talk to your boss and tell him he breached the contract you signed. If he does not budge, contact SAFEA.
30 classes is too much.
How are the additional benefits? Flight allowance? Free housing? Vacation pay?
Either way, it is too much and you won't enjoy your time at all. I would negotiate now while the visa hasn't been locked in place. On average it takes about 30 minutes or 1 hour to properly prepare (this could be marking homework as well) for 1 hour of class. So roughly 30 hours of class translates into 60 hours total per week. That is crazy... you will go insane.
Do you have a contract a z visa?
If you don't , walk.
If you do, exercise the probationary period release or the 30 day release and walk.
Your post is odd. You claim to have worked before but you don't know to check the class hours on the contract before working?
Maybe the CFTU can help you.
I have Z visas starting from 2011. The benefits are 7000 rmb for plane ticket after 1 year contract. There is a small free apartment inside the school, but I am not allowed any guests (said by my boss and school security guards). This school is in Guangzhou.
I am an experienced teacher and I do think this is way too much for me! When I signed my contract they didn't yet give me the teaching schedule. I was told 60 classes between 3 teachers, but a few days after I signed they said two teachers is enough. There is no clause in the contract for how many teachers the school will hire. And the maximum amount of classes is 120 per month.
A lot of contracts stipulate a 'maximum amount of teaching hours per month,' but no job I have ever worked since 2011 had ever met the maximum teaching hours. Usually the contract says 'MAX 100 hours per month,' however my actual hours are around 88 or something. So for me, this is crazy. I just hope there are some wise and experienced people here to give me some advice. Thank you!
Hotwater:
Does your contract mention a notice period? There are loads of teaching jobs in Guangzhou! Look for something else now!
yogsothoth:
My Z-visa hasn't finished being transferred yet, so I could find another school and transfer to that one instead.
BobC:
Get to the CHOPPA!
I have worked at four different Universities and only at Uni's. 16 (t) teaching hours is normal and anything over is overtime. Last school I worked at tried to say 24 t hours is normal and was such a great place; they love blowing smoke. Even though they paid more it came out to the same when compared to the salary per hour I was getting for 16 hours. I didn't stay their for the length of my contract.
I'll post this, it's a little dated but I found it informative.
http://middlekingdomlife.com/guide/teaching-english-in-china-guide.htm
Englteachted:
When you are not smart and can't read a contract, this is what happens to you.
12200RMB for that many classes you are being exploited mate. How do you even have time to prepare your material and lesson plans? Do you do it over the weekend? No way I would accept that. 60RMB per class is a joke, I woudn't consider anything below 200RMB.
To give you an idea in Guangzhou new local teachers have 14 to 16 classes per week and get around 7000 per month.
Is there any way to terminate your contract without penalty? If not your contract is illegal anyway as the SAFEA requires it.
yogsothoth:
Yeah, I know the legality of it. After my first employer from 2011 was a major whacko I try to 'test the waters' with later employers before transferring my visa. Fortunently subsequent employers have all been decent (at least they pay on time and keep the BS to a mid-low level). It is for the legality of this job that I have the option to leave before finally transferring to them.
Don't do over 25 hours. Says it in every TEFL teaching guide. If they even ask you they are stupid in only a way a tricky Chinese employer could be and not worth working for.
The contract should state very clearly what the hours of teaching are. They might say you have to do office hours and other things on top of that. 25 hours is basic in China. And, the salary should be at least 8000-9000 RMB per month. Even if an apartment is provided. Sounds like you are getting scammed.
Eorthisio:
Right, the problem is salaries in the ESL industry in China have not been re-evaluated nor raised for at least 10 years, I would even say they have gone down. I know people who were making 12000 with free flat in 2005-07 and I see people with similar profiles who make 12000 without the free flat today. Something is wrong. Meanwhile the price of everything is 3 to 4 times higher than back then. Seriously you can earn more in poorer countries like Vietnam or Cambodia
Your responses now are really making me doubt your story. You've been "on a Z visa since 2011" but you don't know 30 hours is not normal? You keep saying 2011 in your responses. Not allowed 'any' guests is unheard of. I'm not going to tell you the standard and please no one else tell him.
Why would you expect the contract to mention how many teachers they will hire?
Why sign a contract that says 120 hours per month even according to your dumb logic?
And please stop saying he was scammed , he signed the contract and they are not violating the contract. Being dumb does not make you a victim.
yogsothoth:
You know you forum regulars are often really a bunch of wankers. I read these forums often. You guys always find or make excuses to put people down. Read your own posts. If I'm stupid, what does that say about you guys? I bet you wouldn't have the balls to act that way except here~
Englteachted:
I'm this way with everyone. When you screw up somebody will and should tell you it is your fault.
When I screw up, I'm the first person to tell myself I was a dumbass. And I appreciate when someone tells me I screwed up (friend or stranger).
That is how adults are.
You are a gold digger. You are digging gold. 5000 rmb ? So impressive!!!
To be honest:
I think chinese employers use you man! Wake up!
