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Post by Secret Agent Jane on Sept 12, 2006 23:05:39 GMT 7
Already teaching in China but our current employer isn't up to par. We'd like a change of scenery, but don't know where to start. I hear Harbin is nice (and cold) and Sanya is nice as well, but without two days off to travel, I can't make an educated decision.
My boyfriend and I each have B.A. degrees, and I have my MA in writing. We're looking for decent pay, 15-20 hours per week and two days off in a row.
Any one know someone who knows someone?
Many thanks.
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Post by cheekygal on Sept 12, 2006 23:13:57 GMT 7
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Post by George61 on Sept 13, 2006 4:37:39 GMT 7
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Post by Lotus Eater on Sept 13, 2006 5:33:38 GMT 7
Not paying wages on time? At all? From lots of discussions here and other places it seems there aren't too many bosses that are up to par in China. It's a different concept of management.
What are you looking for in a boss?
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Eagle's Nest
Barfly
A self-portrait ... note that there is a mess of confusion in the swirling mists of "self"
Posts: 283
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Post by Eagle's Nest on Sept 13, 2006 7:26:03 GMT 7
Hi Pirate Molly,
I think that there is a need for two more here at my uni. I know that the apartment next door is empty and that some people FTs) hired, never showed up. Here is Changzhou, Jiangsu (not too far from Raoul's flat in Suzhou). PM me if you want more info.
eagle
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Post by Secret Agent Jane on Sept 13, 2006 11:11:26 GMT 7
the problems seem petty when I type them out--we're paid on time, our place is cushy, but we're the only teachers in our school right now and are working 25-30 hours a week for 4300 RMB a month (80RMB per hour for hours over 21).
We work 6 days a week: weekends we are at the school for 11 hours each day, and Tues-Thursday we are there from 5-7:30--not so bad, except that we can't leave the city to travel. My entire week is wasted wandering around a polluted city. I'd like to actually see other parts of China while I'm here...!
Another experienced teachers says we need to be more assertive, leave this place for greener pastures. There is a lady in the city interested in hiring us for more than twice what we're paid now and 16 hours a week, but we would be in violation of our contract with our boss--we want to just disappear from this city one evening, leave some visa money on the table....Nothing would be more awkward than running into him at the KFC 2 months later.
Boss requirements:
We're looking for a boss who doesn't change our schedule at the last minute (without telling us, so we walk into a class we've planned for for 30 minutes and it's the wrong class). We're looking for a boss who doesn't TELL us we're working extra hours at the KFC but who might politely ask (or, who wouldn't ask me to sing the hokey poky at the KFC period). A boss who won't come into our apartment while we're teaching to make sure--I don't know what. A boss who will also help us if our class is struggling. And a boss who doesn't allow parents in the class room!!!!!!!!!!!
Am I being too whiney?
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Post by Raoul Duke on Sept 13, 2006 18:16:04 GMT 7
No, you're not being too whiny.
You're being used. Played for chumps. Some of the things you list here are intolerable.
Solve the contract; get out of there!
Being more assertive is a good idea.
One place to start is to make it clear that if he's ever in your apartment again without your permission, you will immediately cease teaching and quit.
Another place is to say no to unreasonable requests. Let HIM sing the m'kaying Hokey-Pokey in m'kaying KFC. He's just showing off his control over the mighty foreigner. If it's not in the contract, you have the right to say no. And you need to use it.
Talk to the other offer about getting you clear of this place ASAP!
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Post by Hamish on Sept 13, 2006 18:33:03 GMT 7
What he said.
The place where you are really sucks.
Keep your foot on first until you are sure of second.
Lie, cheat, and steal. (The base I mean.)
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Decurso
Barfly
Things you own end up owning you
Posts: 581
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Post by Decurso on Sept 18, 2006 21:36:56 GMT 7
Hamish and Raoul are bang on.There are a couple schools like this in my town and the FTs are the one the ones who allow them to get away with it by putting up with it.
To steal a page from Escaped Lunatics book...
"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"
-Peter Finch
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Post by Secret Agent Jane on Sept 19, 2006 19:03:33 GMT 7
So here is the question I pose--how do we get out of here? With only one day off each week, I can't travel and find another place (to keep my foot on first while stealing second). Searching via the internet is out of the question. Why? Here is the secret: if they have access to the internet, they have a never ending supply of dorks like us who don't know any better.
I think the only viable solution is searching nearby cities. I get on a train Sunday night after teaching, search all day monday, come back in time for Tuesday night teaching.
Is there another way??
-Pirate Whiney
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Post by Missi on Sept 19, 2006 19:31:28 GMT 7
I agree with the above thoughts.
In the meantime, as Raoul said, "One place to start is to make it clear that if he's ever in your apartment again without your permission, you will immediately cease teaching and quit." The other, only do your contract lesson load. If you contract is for 21, only do 21.
There are a few teachers here this year who the school uses to their advantage. The foreign teachers complain, we tell them to stand up for them selves and they continue to be in the same position. As much as I love some of the Chinese people around here, other will use you as much as they can.
If you can get a job in another city for the rest of the term, go for it. Its only four months, and if you sign a contract for the four months, you are free at the end to do something new.
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Post by Raoul Duke on Sept 20, 2006 22:51:19 GMT 7
Uh, are there no net bars in your town? Somewhere you can get online other than the school? It's the best tool for the job...
Otherwise, I guess scouring nearby towns is better than nothing.
Did the offer you mentioned before fall through?
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Post by Secret Agent Jane on Sept 21, 2006 14:30:04 GMT 7
no, I use the internet at home here, but I know that those schools that have access to the internet will pay less (i.e. more chumps to choose from).
We re-thought the other offer, as we would be teaching in the same (small) city as we're teaching now. There is no way we wouldn't run into our old boss (who also happens to be BFF with the head passport guy at the police station...yikes). Best to just disappear in the night/lie that we're headed back to the US and take the next train somewhere new.
We're hoping to check out the Suzhou area over the holiday. Too bad EVERYONE will be traveling at the same time!!! Argh. Hard to job hunt then...
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Post by Raoul Duke on Sept 21, 2006 23:15:42 GMT 7
Hey Molly, Don't assume that all schools on the net will pay less. These days they pretty much ALL have it. Let me know when you head this way...I'll make arangements for us to have a beer or 30!  |
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Post by Vegemite on Oct 19, 2006 13:46:32 GMT 7
We always need extra teachers up here at our small university/college. A 16 hour per week, five days a week contract, apartment provided 4500RMB per month.
If you're interested let me know.
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Post by Raoul Duke on Oct 19, 2006 15:53:38 GMT 7
Inner Mongolia AND 4500 a month? Pinch me, someone, I must be dreaming!  With sincere apologies to Vegemite. Just teasing. |
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Post by Vegemite on Oct 20, 2006 16:35:28 GMT 7
Huh...you don't know what you're missing out on... -40C in darkest winter, +40C in the lovely summer. No rain, or rather only the odd day now and again, this year it didn't rain until the MayDay Week and then it lasted all of five minutes. And it doesn't snow during the day - sunny bright days abound around here. And no dust storms - we just get the tail end of them.
This isn't Outer Mongolia, only Inner... $4500 is ample. You'll have to come up here and experience it...have a drink up in these parts sometime
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Post by Vegemite on Oct 20, 2006 16:36:18 GMT 7
Oops - I meant 4500RMB, of course. Lack of vegemite again - destroying the brain cells.
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Post by mermaid56 on Nov 21, 2006 8:09:17 GMT 7
hey kids, my school is great and needs two now. southern china, though...search at Dave's on "Pei Zheng"..... the best way to search is to use your network, not your feet!
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