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Posts: 152

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Q: Can some teachers here please share their experiences about teaching in China with us?

I should soon start to work in a school near Hangzhou. Can some teacher share good and bad experiences they had until now. Also few advices would be helpful.

10 years 15 weeks ago in  Business & Jobs - China

 
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You don't say that level you will begin teaching, as each has it's own unique challenges:

 

Training school?

Primary school / Kindergarten?

Middle School?

High School?

University?

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
Posts: 821

Shifu

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Training schools kind of suck, you will be working weekends when all of your friends are hanging out.

Teaching in a primary school is my favourite. Kids are mostly interested in English and you, classes are short, around 40 minutes, no weekend work.

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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Hi Viango

 

Privately owned English Language schools are VERY hit-and-miss. Assuming you're working for one, your first experience as a foreign teacher in China will be a matter of luck.

 

Before accepting a position, you need to get all the conditions (especially regarding pay, your visa, and accommodation) set out in black and white in your contract. Don't accept any vague statements about how much you will get paid. "Your pay depends on the number of students" or "You will get paid more after a trial period" both mean "You will be cheated".

 

If you plan to stay in China for a few years, work at a university. Working conditions and pay are standardised, the students are better, and your employer will treat you professionally and deal with any problems you have.

 

English Language schools can potentially pay you more, but in my opinion, it's not worth the plethora of personal conflicts, bureaucratic problems and hidden expenses that accompany them.

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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As above.  But once you're satisfied you and your employer both understand your contract, then prepare to be flexible.  Life will be less burdensome for you if you're happy to be flexible.  Don't sweat the small things.  However, your working hours and salary should be non negotiable.  If the salary isn't paid on the exact date, relax.  (Difficult to do if you're American, granted.  But even if you are, just relax.)

In the absence of school based set lesson plans, set yourself a simple plan for each lesson, and don't have high expectations.  The students' English language skills will be poor.  Keep a simple record of what you do in each class, and build on that.  As you and your students establish your own rapport you'll both grow in confidence.  And it'll get better and better.

Good luck person!

 

 

Rin:

If I didn't get my salary on the exact day I would not work til it was paid. Funnily enough it only happened once. :P

10 years 15 weeks ago
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royceH:

But Rin, you're English, aren't you?  As such, capable of not being so dogmatic.....Hmm......young, I guess.  Well, well done you!  

Perhaps I'm guilty of stereotyping.

Next thing you know Yanks will be accused of being whingers....

 

 

10 years 15 weeks ago
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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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make sure the school provides you a work visa (Z). Remember that it's illegal to work in China on any other visa, no matter what they tell you.

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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I will work in language training center with kids from 3-12 years. 

I am from non-native speaking country. Europe/Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I don't have Bachelor Degree. 

I don't have teaching experience in China.

I don't have TEFL certificate.

 

Considering all these facts I don't expect that this school is so good because they accept my application. 

So I will have to satisfy with anything until I get some experience. Only thing I can't accept is not getting salary.

 

After one year I will get TEFL certificate and experience in teaching in China. This will help me to choose better school. 

Samm11:

dont accept just anything. even though you dont have a degree or experience, you shouldnt just let them treat you the way they want. dont accept what you dont think is reasonable. the more you will compromise in the beginning, the worse they will treat you futher on thinking that you are weak and can accept just anything. been there myself. 

be strong and good luck!

10 years 15 weeks ago
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sorrel:

ask LOTS of questions about pay and conditions, and make sure it is all spelled out CLEARLY in the contract

10 years 15 weeks ago
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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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Well, all things are noted in my contract and I am going to visit this school on Wednesday before accepting the job. I think they offered me average/good conditions considering my qualifications. Accommodation, 7500 RMB before tax.

 

No flight reimbursement and the fact that kids will evaluate my work and that I can get fired if they state that I don't teach good are the things that I don't like. But I think I can manage with kids.

Rin:

Are you sure they can provide a working visa? It's very difficult to get the visa without having a degree. I know, I am in the same boat.

10 years 15 weeks ago
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Samm11:

how many hours per week are you supposed to teach? some schools would exploit a teacher, get the most of him to get rid of him in a month or two. I hope the school you gonna work for is decent. 

and yes, visa issue is probably the first thing you should think about when considering a job offer in China.

10 years 15 weeks ago
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royceH:

No teaching quals or experience.  Not a native English speaker.  7,500 mth.  Man, how many hours a week do they want out of you??  Check that out asap!

 

10 years 15 weeks ago
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Samm11:

you know, royce, you are right. he is not a native speaker and has no degree, tefl etc. so he doesn't need any weekends, well maybe one a month and 7500 oh wow if the boss will ask for a bj, he definitely should do it right away. 

10 years 15 weeks ago
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Hey..Tax should not come into the equation. The government do not require teachers to pay tax so it should not form part of the negotiation. 7500 net, that should be it.

 

Ask them for a travel allowance maybe 1000 every 3 months considering no flight reimbursement. Completion of contract bonus maybe half a months salary. 

 

Make sure the cancelation part is to your satisfaction assuming something might happen. 30/40 days notice is standard. Ask for your proposed timetable, office hours take note. See if they have a projector to use powerpoint in class. All I can think of. 

 

 

Samm11:

you don't pay taxes only if your salary is below 4800 per month.

10 years 15 weeks ago
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ChengduPat:

Yes correct in general but I believe teachers in particular are tax exempt. (universities and public schools anyway). Part of the way the government try to attract quality teachers to their shores. 

 

I definitely read this was the case before and I remember when I did my interview I asked if the salary was after tax and of course they said yes. Felt spiteful when I read I was tax exempt weeks later in the sense that it came into my negotiation at the time. 

10 years 15 weeks ago
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Samm11:

Nah, man. Teachers have too pay taxes just like anyone else. Some schools however do it in their stread. But I'm pretty sure that all foreigners' salaries above 4800 are under tax

10 years 15 weeks ago
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ChengduPat:

Lifted this off a website after a simple search. 

 

However, for foreign teachers, the Government of China, through SAFEA Approved schools, guarantees a minimum standard of western accommodation and salaries that bear some semblance [buying power parity] to those received in their home countries.  In order to arrive at a salary package that would satisfy most applicants, the government considered the following factors:

 

  • Comparative costs of living
  • Provision of high standard accommodation
  • Salary free from taxation
  • Basic health care
  • Reimbursement of airfares
  •  

Therefore, Government Approved schools and universities provide foreign teachers [many of whom do not have any real teaching experience]  tax free salaries, free accommodation, airfares, free basic health care and the salaries that are three to five times higher than that paid to local teachers performing similar tasks, and who often have many years teaching experience.

 

http://www.china-tesol.com/Salary_Range_for_foreign_teach/salary_range_for_foreign_teach.html

10 years 15 weeks ago
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Ajmo Bosno, Bosno, Bosno....Laughing out loud

I would say you landed a pretty sweet deal (well, at least salary-wise)  as a non-native without a  TEFL certificate AND diploma. Proceed with extreme caution. Greetings from Croatia. Smile

royceH:

Hey Honky (heheheh...), is Croatia in Europe these days?  I'd like to visit your country, but can I?  That's the question.

 

10 years 15 weeks ago
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honky:

@royceH: Is this a trick question, Sir? :) If you mean geographically - yep, we were still a part of Europe, last time I checked, lol. But in all seriousness, you should visit Croatia, there is much to see here. Did you have any particular places in mind - islands, coast?

10 years 15 weeks ago
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royceH:

Thanks for your reply Honky.  I should tell you I have limited, almost no knowledge of Croatia.  And nor does anyone I know.  What can you tell me about Croatia?

It's part of the old Yugoslavia, right?  I had a Yugoslav mate when I was young and he often invited me to his home for a meal.  I remember his parents were very friendly and that they had little English.  And the food was very weird.  He was notable for being a 'New Australian' without being from Greek or Italian extraction.

 

10 years 15 weeks ago
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honky:

You're welcome, Royce. Ah, so you're an Aussie, no?:) You're quite right, Croatia was a part of former Yugoslavia (like Bosnia, where OP is originally from). No worries, many Europeans know almost nothing about us, much less peope from USA (except Pittsburgh, which has a large Croatian expat community) or other  countries/continents. Croatia is a small county, 4.3 million in total, predominately Catholic. I usually say "It's a small country right across Italy"  because we're on the other side of Adriatic sea. The part about "weird food" made me chuckle, I would say the coastal parts have a typical Mediterranean cuisine (fish, seafood, olive oil), while the northern part (where I am from) was traditionally under the influence of Austria and Hungary (heavier food, more meat, pork especially, dairy products and so on). They say Slavic people in general are very friendly, but it's difficult for me, as a South Slavic woman, to be the judge of that. We're OK I suppose. :) If you would like to visit Croatia, you can't go wrong with its seaside -  sea  and beaches are always ranked as among cleanest by European Environment Agency. But I realise I've been derailing the topic, if you have any  further questions you can PM me.Cheers!

10 years 15 weeks ago
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royceH:

You've painted me a picture, Honky...thanks!

10 years 15 weeks ago
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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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ABOUT TEACHING HOURS.

Teaching hours 24 in one week + 16 office hours. Maybe they want to pay more and accept my qualifications because this is in town near Hangzhou with 400.000 people. Chinese people would probably call it a town or village and maybe some teacher from USA, UK, Canada... will not accepting living in such a small place.

 

In contract they also noted that I should not have more than 110 teaching hours in one month + they would pay all hours additionaly 100 RMB/hour. 

 

Working on weekends and free days are Monday and Tuesday.

 

About working visa I am not sure if they can finish it but I will talk with teachers they already have there what is their experience.

 

Cancelation period already noted in contract (30 days)

 

Pozdrav za Honky-ja. Usput kojim se poslom ti bavis i gdje zivis?

 

Maybe Royce meant that your country entered in European Union. I would recommend Royce to definitely visit Croatia. But Royce please say which passport do you hold, Croatia is not in Shengen states agreement yet. 

Samm11:

if you are ready to accept working in China illegally, basically you let your school treat you any way they want 

10 years 15 weeks ago
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ChengduPat:

That's alot of hours and weekends too. Personally I think you need to get more bonuses into your contract and/or try to minimize the length of the contract so you can renegotiate asap.

 

Before I came here I asked my tefl teacher for the classroom management one what she considered enough hours. She said around 12 or less is ideal, any more and you will feel tired. That's what I based my hunt on and did pretty well in that regard. Think you will spend your office hours planning classes so it's a true 40 hour week + possible overtime. Just sharing my thoughts, best of luck anyway.

10 years 15 weeks ago
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icnif77:

That's Helen Group's Contract. Search here for 'Helen Group' for more info. Proceed with caution! If they offer you Z visa, accept it. Offered salary is miserable. You'll work more than 40 hours per week (teaching + office hours) for 7500Rmb? Helen will keep another 7500, every month. Li'nan? 

10 years 15 weeks ago
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I also think Royce was referring to Croatia as a part of EU.

 

Viango - I live near Zagreb, please check your PM. I've recently started looking for people from Balkans (ex-Yu in particular) living in PRC and I've come up with "Serbs in Shanghai" group on FB, perhaps those guys would be of more help to you.

PS. I apologise for multiple posts, don't know what went wrong but I'll blame it on my Lenovo laptop. Smile

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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I also think Bryce was referring to Croatia as a part of EU.

 

Viango - I live near Zagreb, please check your PM. I've recently started looking for people from Balkans (ex-Yu in particular) living in PRC and I've come up with "Serbs in Shanghai" group on FB, perhaps those guys would be of more help to you.

angelina8:

Are moving to China or?

10 years 15 weeks ago
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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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I also think Bryce was referring to Croatia as a part of EU.

 

Viango - I live near Zagreb, please check your PM. I've recently started looking for people from Balkans (ex-Yu in particular) living in PRC and I've come up with "Serbs in Shanghai" group on FB, perhaps those guys would be of more help to you.

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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I also think Bryce was referring to Croatia as a part of EU.

 

Viango - I live near Zagreb, please check your PM. I've recently started looking for people from Balkans (ex-Yu in particular) living in PRC and I've come up with "Serbs in Shanghai" group on FB, perhaps those guys would be of more help to you.

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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I don't want to stay in China illegally. But I found some info on internet that government doesn't accept teachers from non native countries, but this depend from province to province. Does anyone have real information about this. 

Samm11:

Technically yes, but in fact some schools can provide work visas for non-natives. I know many people who work here legally while they are not from "big 5". I'm in guangxi, donnow about other provinces

10 years 15 weeks ago
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royceH:

Also some legal teachers from non native speaking countries out here....Xinjiang.

 

10 years 15 weeks ago
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icnif77:

The difference for Non is 'applying for new Working permit', or 'extension of RP'. It is easier to extend RP (as I did in Xinjiang), then apply for new WP.

10 years 15 weeks ago
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juanisaac:

Hi Viango,

Some schools are picky in whom they choose, and some get anyone with passible English.  Being a European will help you a lot in your job search.  I have known non-native Africans, Latin Americans, etc. who have been able to find work here as English teachers.  Where you may be wanting is in your experience.  Have you ever taught English in your native country?  This experience may get your foot into the door.  While you are waiting, get some experience teaching. I am a Mexican and work teaching English in Jiangsu.  However, my degree is from an American university. Moreover,  I also worked at an American high school and college teaching E.S.L. for three years.  So I do have a background in it.

You may want to convince future employers to give you a skype interview to confirm your skills.

10 years 14 weeks ago
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Rin:

Also non native legal teachers here! Kunming.

10 years 14 weeks ago
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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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Well FB is not allowed in China and I did not pay yet for proxy, so at this moment I cannot check, because I am in Jiangsu, Wuxi.

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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Sam you are from which country? 

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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Pishi PM odmah! Ja zivim u Hangzhou, dolazim iz Makedonije.

 

Ovako. According to the regulations here in Zhejiang province, a non-native speaker can get a work visa to teach English only if he/she has an M.A. in TESOL. There is no way you can do it. Maybe in other provinces. You might find a different job where English-speaking skills are needed; or IDK, networking can do miracles in China.

 

Be realistic and careful. The school didn't hire you because of your qualifications. They hired you because they need a foreign face. Nemoj svima da kazes da si ilegalac. Try to do everything legally if you want to stay here for a few years. 

 

You can download an app called Free VPN. An another free option is securitales.com.  Don't forget to delete your cookies in order to use the demo again.

 

Honky, hvala za FB grupu :)

 

 

honky:

Pozdrav Makedonka! :)

10 years 15 weeks ago
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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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Pozdrav za Makedonce, kad budem spremala gravce na tavce, zovi.

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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Wait a minute folks.....I'll knock over the remaining grog in my fridge (about another dozen, or so) and then I'll be able to join in your conversation.  You're speaking Swahili, right??

 

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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Royce, not Swahili. This language was called Serbo-Croatian while the Yugoslavia was one country. Now when countries separated each country call it Serbian or Croatian or Bosnian, but actual Bosnian language never existed before. 

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10 years 15 weeks ago
 
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juanisaac thanks for your comment.

 

I actually visited school, before signing contract. I stayed in two classes, 8 years old kids, 3-5 years old kids. And did a demo class to teachers, Chinese teachers, they have foreigner teacher coming to their school on weekends only, from their Shanghai branch.

 

Result is this:

- no flight reimbursement

- accommodation they pay 700 RMB per month, I choose apartment and pay the rest, usual price is 1000 RMB for 35 m2 with kitchen , A/C, wash machine, TV, furniture.

- 7500 RMB per month first 3 months, later 8000 RMB

- free national holidays, 5 days vacation in year

- 8 hours working time per day (Wednesday - Sunday). Monday, Tuesday free. Teaching or office hours, or demo classes for new kids + parents

- school provide working visa, I must pay visa charge and the school will pay back to me trough salary.

- no bonus

- after one year salary and bonuses discussable.

 

Rewards for the kids are provided by school. In every class kids can earn one star for correct answer, 3 stars earns them to play rock, paper, scissors with teacher for 5 points. In hallway they can exchange points for toys and similar items which cost from 150 - 1000 points.

School have their own bags for kids, books, visual tools, plastic fruit, toys which are mentioned in the books.

Next week they are organizing spelling and grammar competition, they already prepare gold, silver and bronze medals for kids. So the school is equipped very good. 

 

Any comments and questions welcome.

 

PS. Not Helen Group school.

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10 years 14 weeks ago
 
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I accepted this school because I need teaching experience, after few months I will try to negotiate better terms or I will change school.

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10 years 14 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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40 hours work is a lot for a teacher. Especially teaching young kids. Beware.

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10 years 14 weeks ago
 
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I know, but because I have no qualifications I should/must accept this. Later I can choose something else.

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10 years 14 weeks ago
 
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Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77