Working a 2nd job in China

[kzel81]

Just wondering what options are available for second jobs if you're working as an English teacher in China?
While I understand the money earned as a teacher can easily sustain a good to excellent lifestyle in China, I will also still be paying a mortgage back in Australia, so I need to earn enough to meet my minimum repayments while still being able to support myself overseas.

Any tips, advice etc would be appreciated!

Thanks

Kris

[Dragonsaver]

I currently have 2 part-time jobs in addition to my main job. They can be easy and/or hard to find depending on the city. I got lucky with my extra 2 as another teacher (who has been here 4 yrs) got them for me. She actually had the jobs all lined up and I was on her list of people to ask.

Some Universities are very strict about people working extra jobs. The contracts will say you can't without permission. Keep tight lipped don't discuss it around the school. etc etc.

[Ruth]

Welcome to the Saloon kse181. Please take time to tell us about yourself on the Introduction thread.

About your question: I teach kids in my flat. My school knows about it - first referrals were from co-workers wanting me to teach their children. I never would have started doing this otherwise. Most months my private income is almost equal to my salary.

It's possible to earn quite a lot on the private market. What DS said about ease of finding jobs/students. My city is small by Chinese standards. Folks in big cities make more per hour doing private work than I charge here.

[Mr Nobody]

I work an extra job, taking the hours up to 24 a week. HOwever, you gotta get it sorted with your school - many don't like you working another gig. But other than that, they are falling over themselves offering jobs. I get offered a new job about every other week, although most aren't worth it, and the rest I don't need.

[Eagle's Nest]

My university is not adverse at all to my working extra. In fact, the fao often calls with opportunities for me to make extra cash. But, since I am an old-timer, I would rather work less and enjoy the fruits of my minimum labour. I am very comfortable with the money I earn here. But then again, I don't have debts to consider. All I want is to eat well, drink well, play well and travel with my camera - all accomplished with my base pay as a uni teacher.

eagle

[Eagle's Nest]

An aside, I know my uni will be looking for more good teachers next year. We actually will need them for February/March. The uni is in ChangZhou, only an hour from the party capital of China - Raoul's apartment.

eagle

[cheekygal]

Since the end of February I have been freelancing. I was still looking for more interesting full-time opportunities. Anyway, currently I work at 3 places: full time primary school, adult language school and I teach an afterschool class in a Montessori house (kindergarten group - used to be a dance/English class, now mainly English). Though I am thinking of stopping the last one as it is quite far and with the cold traffic has become worse and it is more difficult to travel there.
Since 2003 I did part-time besides having a full-time job. Luckily my previous employer was very easy going and the only thing he asked is to inform him if I work anywhere part-time so he could back me up if I ever get into any troubles with authorities (since they provided visa and other documents).
I know a lot of people who have full-time job in areas not related to teaching but due to the same situation as you are in they have private classes teaching English or do part-time teaching English in the evenings and on the weekends. So, I am sure you'll be fine.
And I'll second what DS said on contracts - just keep it to yourself

[Dr. Gonzo]

Kris
Your situation sounds familiar. We bought a house in Oz and rented it out whilst in Shanghai. There wasn't much balance to be paid after we received the rent, but we put our spare cash into the mortgage anyway. We used a property manager: you can't look after repairs, council rates etc from China.
Also, you need to look at how you'll move money around. You'll require tax receipts from your main employer to legally exchange and send money.
As the others have said, extra work usually finds you. Just sound out other FTs to see how the school regards this. If they disapprove you need to be discreet. That doesn't mean they won't know, but if you're not flaunting the rules they can turn a blind eye: very Chinese, that.

[con's fly is open]

Kze, waht they said. Your best bet is get the day job first, one that will arrange your residence permit, etc. Take a month to get up to speed, then start schmoozing. Your goal? Private tutoring.

Folks will pay you to hang with them... or their kids. Cash money, good rate, under the table, little preparation, and since you have your day job to cover the essentials, you can quit any tutoring gig you don't enjoy. Hell, no contract, no breach.

That's my strategy- like you, I need a lotta $$$$ this year.

[solongtinik]

i just started working on sundays in a private language training center..im not sure if its not allowed in my school..but u can do that too!

one of my friends posted an ad on the gate of their subdivison (for private tutoring)

[Lotus Eater]

I don't teach at other places, but I can earn extra editing papers for publication (have a couple of universities and research institutes lined up) and for thesis papers. The university started me on the editing gig and it is way more convenient than extra teaching - I can do it when I feel like it as long as the deadline is met. So, if I'm bored at 2:00am (no-one is posting anything for me to read) then I can edit. Tutoring or working a private gig doesn't give you this flexibility.

This one the FAO don't mind - have actually given me work, plus recommended me to other departments who in return recommended me to the research institutes. They would, I think, have been less interested in helping with part-time teaching, given that my contract does specify no additional teaching without their approval.

Other teachers have done it, but keep it really quiet. However, if anything does go wrong - i.e. you annoy one of the teachers or students complain about you, this 'minor' breach of contract can be your exit papers as well - so be careful!!

[Mr Nobody]

I am about to chuck my second job in. I am sick of the crap there. I would list my complaints but that is just so boring.

Mrs N is worried about the consequences, but I told her that if I had a contract, these people would be in breach of it anyway, so I would be justified.

What do you lot think?

[Ruth]

What does Mrs N think the consequences will be? Her wisdom and understanding of the culture is not to be sneezed at.

On the other hand, if it is giving you so much grief, and you aren't bound by a contract, why put up with it? Give reasonable notice and say good-bye.

[Lotus Eater]

Just heard about a friend today who is working a primary job and has a secondary one. Primary job has let it be known that she is no longer teaching there because she broke her contract (no additional jobs cluase) by having the second job.

Be careful - this information was passed on by an aggravated other teacher at primary job who had found out about it by accident. Even in a city of 7 million it is not easy to keep things quiet!!

[Mr Nobody]

Ah, have that covered. I am doing research for a govt sponsored project, and my college has notice of this and has agreed. But we all have to be quiet about it which is worrying.


But yeah. Anyway, they say they will fix the issues I have but so far is it too little too late.