Suzhou Stats

[gretch]

I'm looking for jobs in Suzhou, and would like to know if some of the offers I've been getting are decent or not....Yes, I know, there are a lot of variables...But some rough, "ballpark" ideas would give me a feel of what I should be expecting. And as far as "What I need"....not sure...I do need to not get taken advantage of...I have a BA, no TEFL cert, 2 yrs exp teaching HS in the states, and will have 9 month China teaching experience once I've finished my current contract....

The place I work for now is only paying 4K, housing, utilities at a univ for 14 periods a week...I know I should expect more in Suzhou, but not sure how much more....And I've never worked for a private school, which should offer more?.... No?

Ideas on: decent Salary (yes, depends on hours, but a rough idea is all I'm looking for), what a decent apt goes for (if I choose not to take their accom, but use housing allowance, instead), and if you know of any schools to stay the hell away from-do tell...

Just fishing...Thanks for the nibbles ;D

[Raoul Duke]

You're asking some tough questions, babe...

For salaries WITH housing, don't talk to anything under 6k per month. Take more if you can get it. 7-8K per month is probably fairly typical here. With luck you can find 10K or more.

WITHOUT housing, don't talk to anything under 9K per month.With luck you can find up to 15K or more.

Since you have a real teaching credential, you might have a shot at some of the international schools. I know of one paying 26K per month PLUS luxury housing.

Housing, figure an average of 2000-2500 per month for Chinese housing. This may slide down toward 1500 out in the New District or some isolated areas; it may slide up to more like 3000 or more in the SIP District. Expat housing (Why on earth would you want expat housing?) starts around 4000 and goes way up from there.

Schools to stay away from. Shane (no matter what crap they may tell Dolly at Boland). EF. GEM. Richeway. Lynch under watch to see if the deals improve.
Please always talk to me before meeting with a Suzhou school!

[gretch]

Thanks, Raoul ...see you handled those wonderfully!!!

Those figures help a lot, gives me a much clearer picture as to where to start....

Yes, I will definitly talk w/ you b/f meeting w/ a school...So be prepared to be annoyed...

[Mark FJ]

26k and upwards?
where oh where?
i wanna piece of that.

[Loops]

...all's I want is a piece of ass...we'll talk about salaries later...

[gretch]

loops said:

...all's I want is a piece of ass...we'll talk about salaries later...

..but to get one...don't you need the other ;D

here's a little to tid ya' over

[Loops]

[Raoul Duke]

I see Loops has already learned Suzhou's traditional Fish-Slapping Dance. Good on ya!