Roy -- 18 March 2005

I've been looking at teaching in China for a few months now. I have been contacted by several universities about possible positions. Can anyone give me honest and true assessments of their teaching expereinces in China. Does anyone know anything about Jiangsu Polytechnic University?

Thank you

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suggestions
chinese recruiter -- 18 March 2005

YES

a- come to china to WORK, b- respect chinese culture and rules, c- be POSITIVE

NO

a- come to china pretending to be a rich tourist, b- be a fat lazy a## refusing to WORK, c- complaining full time about everything

hope this help.

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In response to "Chinese Recruiter"
jinchafa -- 19 March 2005

Not that I really believe you are a Chinese recruiter,any more than I believe that the other person who posts in this forum is a Chinese employer. But just for fun here's my response.

Most ESL/EFL teachers who come to China do so with positive intentions. Also, teaching in the States for example has a high burn out rate. Statistics show that burn out comes between 2 and 4 years. Why? Because teaching ESL is a demanding job, not only due to the hours one must spend preparing, for which you do not get paid generally, but also because it can be emotionally draining. Most ESL teachers in America are very compassionate individuals who get seriously involved with the flow of their student's lives. It is common to teach individuals whose lives, before they came to America, were filled with suffering or hardships, and because of that our hearts go out to them and we try our hardest to make their lives better.

Ultimately, the burn out leads to the search for another job or the idea of teaching abroad as a means of somehow rekindling the passion for teaching. Unfortunately, what we have found in so many cases here in China, and elsewhere in Asia, is that one's word does not seem to have value when it comes to recruiters (generally speaking) and often employers. I have had to deal with this issue personally and I've yet to meet a teacher in China who has not had to deal with it in either a small way or a large way.

Eventually,the government will step in and create a watch-dog agency of some kind. And, if we teachers are lucky, they will find a way to punish the offenders and reward those who act honorably and follow through with their promises.

If you yourself have had trouble with teachers and their continual demands, then perhaps you are not honoring your commitments. If you are, then you only have been unlucky enough to deal with the lazy slobs who came here thinking it would be a free ride. Admittedly, there are some of those around also.

Either way, I suggest that most teachers who come here do so with an open mind and an open heart and some are easily taken advantage of. However, be aware that the word is getting out. If you are not one of the honorable ones, you or any recruiter or employer who is reading this, better make your riches quickly - soon enough it will be too late.
Good luck............

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To Roy
jinchafa -- 19 March 2005

Hi Roy,
I wouldn't want to say anything to dissuade you from coming to China for work. However, as I'm sure you've read here before, do your research carefully. Never sign a contract until you arrive. Never turn over your passport for a visa until you see your living quarters and where you will be teaching. Be very aware of those who offer you a salary in the range of 3500 to 4000RMB - generally this means a recruiter is pocketing a good sum of money at your expense. It also means that you will be expected to "live on the cheap." Another warning sign is when they tell you that compared to the locals this is a large sum of money. First, you're not a local and therefore will pay higher for everything you buy. And second, you'll need years of practice before you could live on so little. Third, when they say that, it's a pretty good indication that everything else will be pretty shabby too. Like your apartment for example. Public universities generally pay around 4000RMB, but that's only because the fat cat administrators don't want to share the wealth.

At any rate, if a company or school really wants your services based on your qualifications, they will pay you much more. You should also insist on all utilities being paid, a computer with internet paid by the employer, a water dispenser with the water also paid by the employer. Also be sure that there is a 24 hour supply of hot water.
Well, I hope this helps. Again, do your research. You're doing the right thing by asking for advice. Many teachers, including myself, are getting fed up, which should be obvious from my last posting to "Chinese recruiter." There are a few good places to work here; it just takes a while to find them.

Good luck,

JinChaFa

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Response
China Teachers Union <chinateachersunion@yahoo.com> -- 19 March 2005

Greetings,

Yes, jinchafa, you are exactly right. We do come here with good intentions. Unfortunately, some employers and recruiters will be more than happy to take advantage of the continual flow of rookie teachers. They will try to work them like slaves and not follow the contract they agreed upon originally.

I have heard and seen this happen many times in China. That is why I have started an "club" that will later become a legal union. Unions are easy to start and are supported by the Central government.

The government does have an department called the Ministry of Labour, but as many places in China, they are not ready to recieve foreigners. Mainly because of the language barrier. However, many foreigners are protected under the labour laws, but they don't know them and they don't know how to file an arbitration claim with the Ministry. Most of China is rank with employers who do not pay properly or follow the labours laws (China Daily article about migrant workers who did not recieve their salaries after working).

I sincerely hope that we can share information about the situation here in China for EFL teachers.

you can join the union and post information at www.yahoogroups.com

or another excellent site, especially for ROK is

www.englishschoolwatch.org