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anonymous
Q: Teaching in China - Thoughts/Opinions on Various Placements
Greetings,
I will be leaving in late August to teach in China and have just now received the possible list of placement opportunities. I've whittled the extensive list down to 3. Would anyone have any insight/thoughts/opinions on any of these 3?
1. Shanghai High School International Division
2. Sinopec Management Institute in Beijing
3. Shanghai Jin Cai High School International Division
I know that for the high schools, kids will be kids in terms of behavior and that is just to be expected. However, I am well aware that Sinopec, being the large company that it is, deals with the training of management trainees in its training institute. Thus, I'd be dealing exclusively with adults.
I do have prior experience in high school teaching; albeit only 2 years. I've taught some "on the side" at the adult level too, so either level (teen or adult) wouldn't be an issue with me. I have a bachelor's and master's degree in physics and teaching certifications in math and physics, but no experience in TESOL/TEFL.
So I guess in a nutshell, each placement has its own pros and cons in terms of compensation (housing, meals, etc.) and population (adolescent vs adult).
The other concern I had to was getting an adequate pay. Apparently the university that I am going through contacts the various schools and "recommends" people. Everything I've seen has been around the 10-14K RMB range. For someone with a master's in physics and about 4 years total teaching experience (total with college and high school levels) is this par? If and when I receive a contract, is it acceptable to negotiate for more money. If so, how much more would it take to be considered an "acceptable" salary given my academic credentials and total teaching experience?
Your thoughts please!
Many thanks,
David
11 years 1 week ago in Teaching & Learning - China
In the high schools, would you be a subject teacher (maths and science ) or an 'Oral' English teacher? The difference there is huge - being a subject teacher at an international school is likely to be more rewarding professionally and is more likely to keep you employable in your home country.
dpudder69:
I'm really not sure. I wasn't told yet. I know that the program I'm coming over with primarily deals with teaching english, but I am certified to teach physics and math.
Same thing with Sinopec. I have my bachelor's and master's degrees in Physics so I could do the science-related trainings, but I have a strong feeling that would just primarily deal wtih english language training for business. But I could be wrong.
MissA:
Hmmm, my advice then, for what it's worth, is that the adults job sounds better IF you're teaching Oral English in a high school.
If you're going to be a subject teacher (unlikely from what you wrote) then that would probably be better.
Don't do it!
Run!
Fast!!!
The very fact that you don't know what you'll be teaching says this agent can't be trusted! They are going to take more than half of your pay! The agent gets a nice deal from those companies/schools and then signs a contract with you - and the price difference is amazing! (I heard one where the teacher was offered about 200-250, when the principal was paying the agent about 800... that's per hour, of course). And they're going to screw you around for as long as you'll take it!!!! If they give you accommodation, it will be crap! (but you won't know any better).
With your credentials, you should be in an international school (or high end university) teaching your subjects (maths. physics, etc) for a minimum of 25,000... and in some schools, over 30,000 (plus accommodation).
Just do a quick search for such jobs, and you'll find quite a lot better! (add 'international school' into the search parameters)
bill8899:
This. This x 1,000,000. Please don't trade math/physics teaching for English. The reasons are legion, not the least of which is remuneration.
Sinopec sounds the best of them. I did a stint with PetroChina for a while, and they were OK.
Make sure you have them specified in the contract, and that your Z visa is for them, before you leave for China. Do not come to China without a Z visa and a contract. Deal directly with the school, never through an agent.
Agree with Shining_brow. Stay away from agents & recruiters. Go straight to the bona fide international schools. With your degrees & quals, you should be a subject teacher at an int'l school, NOT an int'l dept of a Chinese school or a "language training center". There is great demand for educators with your background. Don't sell yourself short.
