Don't Come to China !

Don't come to China: For many of you who are looking for an easy way to make money teaching English abroad, there are some things that you should understand about China that will definitely make you think twice before coming here.

Students:
Here is the Chinese education system in a nutshell. It is terrible! Of the 10,000 students that I have taught, only about 20% actually like English and want to learn. Another 30% only care about English so that they can "memorize" enough information to pass the college entrance exam.

Some students and even schools don't take the foreign teacher class seriously and look at it as playtime.

In China, the students stay in one classroom and the teachers come and go. This often ends up with discipline issues since they often believe that it is their class and their rules, not the teacher's.

Many of the students who are forced to learn English end up falling behind because of the way the education system is set up. Students are often taught by a Chinese English teachers who can't even hold a conversation in English with a foreigner. When Chinese English teachers tell you that the book they are teaching from is even difficult for them, you know the system has failed.

Most English exams have no oral component so as long as the students can memorize a few thousand words and a few grammar points then the teacher has done their job even though the student can't speak a simple sentence without making a mistake.

Jobs:
There are 3 kinds of teaching jobs here in China. One is working in a public primary school, middle school, or University. 2nd is working in a private language training school. The 3rd is working for a Company which will farm you out to schools.

The last type is to be avoided.

Teaching ESL is big money! All the companies and schools know this. They will charge the students extra money for the foreign teacher classes (which is now illegal but they still do it anyway) in which the school takes 60% or more, leaving you with around 30 - 40%. The students actually think that all this money goes to the foreign teacher and that we are so rich. Wrong!

Your best bet for teaching in China is to work directly for a University. The salary will probably be a little lower but there will be fewer students, and less hassles. The only thing you may have to deal with is that the University might tell you just to "pass everyone." This boosts their statistics so more students will want to go there.

Chinese Law:
Regarding getting your final salary and bonus, if you are not dealing with a reputable school and they want to make up an excuse not to pay your bonus, they will and they can. These schools not only know the law but they know the government officers who can help them get around it.

There are 5 things you need to know about Chinese law pertaining to foreigners.

1. No matter how many times you meet a worker from the Foreign Affairs Office or the Foreign Experts Office who says they want to help you, don't believe a word no matter how nice they are. They are all being paid off one way or another. They will only "help you" to see it the Chinese way. Don't waste your time going there unless you are in a little city and you have issues with your work conditions.

2. During the court case, you can't work. The PSB can't issue a new work visa while a civil court case is going on. So, if your visa hasn't expired, you are technically still attached to the company or school. Working anywhere else could result in a 10,000rmb penalty. If your visa is about to expire, the PSB will only issue you an L tourist visa until the court case is resolved.

4. Lawyer fees here are outrageous compared to the cost of living. If the company or school drags this out to a years time, your lawyer fees could end up being somewhere in the 15,000rmb range only to get the 10,000rmb. Since you couldn't work legally during that year, there would be the other costs of food, and housing to worry about. It isn't worth it.

5. No matter who is right and who is wrong, a foreigner can't win. Unless you speak perfect Mandarin Chinese, and at least 10 local dialects, know every Chinese custom, and have married the Mayor's daughter (which he probably didn't want in the first place), you have a 1% chance of winning a case here.

With all of this in mind, if you still come to China and get into a hassle with your school, all I can say is... You have been warned.

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ESL Newsletter Newsletter Main Subscribe Visit our Newsletter Archives Main - 2009 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 ESL Activities Beginners Activities Intermediate Advanced Activities Activity Books Complete Package Conversation ESL Games ESL Murder Mysteries ESL Curriculum Main Beginners High Beginners Intermediate Advanced History of Flight Listening Comprehension Children's Curriculum Storybooks Interactive Storybooks Curriculum FAQ Company Information About Us Our Teaching Philosopy About our Products		Don't come to China: For many of you who are looking for an easy way to make money teaching English abroad, there are some things that you should understand about China that will definitely make you think twice before coming here. Students: Here is the Chinese education system in a nutshell. It is terrible! Of the 10,000 students that I have taught, only about 20% actually like English and want to learn. Another 30% only care about English so that they can "memorize" enough information to pass the college entrance exam. Some students and even schools don't take the foreign teacher class seriously and look at it as playtime. In China, the students stay in one classroom and the teachers come and go. This often ends up with discipline issues since they often believe that it is their class and their rules, not the teacher's. Many of the students who are forced to learn English end up falling behind because of the way the education system is set up. Students are often taught by a Chinese English teachers who can't even hold a conversation in English with a foreigner. When Chinese English teachers tell you that the book they are teaching from is even difficult for them, you know the system has failed. Most English exams have no oral component so as long as the students can memorize a few thousand words and a few grammar points then the teacher has done their job even though the student can't speak a simple sentence without making a mistake. Jobs: There are 3 kinds of teaching jobs here in China. One is working in a public primary school, middle school, or University. 2nd is working in a private language training school. The 3rd is working for a Company which will farm you out to schools. The last type is to be avoided. Teaching ESL is big money! All the companies and schools know this. They will charge the students extra money for the foreign teacher classes (which is now illegal but they still do it anyway) in which the school takes 60% or more, leaving you with around 30 - 40%. The students actually think that all this money goes to the foreign teacher and that we are so rich. Wrong! Your best bet for teaching in China is to work directly for a University. The salary will probably be a little lower but there will be fewer students, and less hassles. The only thing you may have to deal with is that the University might tell you just to "pass everyone." This boosts their statistics so more students will want to go there. Chinese Law: Regarding getting your final salary and bonus, if you are not dealing with a reputable school and they want to make up an excuse not to pay your bonus, they will and they can. These schools not only know the law but they know the government officers who can help them get around it. There are 5 things you need to know about Chinese law pertaining to foreigners. 1. No matter how many times you meet a worker from the Foreign Affairs Office or the Foreign Experts Office who says they want to help you, don't believe a word no matter how nice they are. They are all being paid off one way or another. They will only "help you" to see it the Chinese way. Don't waste your time going there unless you are in a little city and you have issues with your work conditions. 2. During the court case, you can't work. The PSB can't issue a new work visa while a civil court case is going on. So, if your visa hasn't expired, you are technically still attached to the company or school. Working anywhere else could result in a 10,000rmb penalty. If your visa is about to expire, the PSB will only issue you an L tourist visa until the court case is resolved. 4. Lawyer fees here are outrageous compared to the cost of living. If the company or school drags this out to a years time, your lawyer fees could end up being somewhere in the 15,000rmb range only to get the 10,000rmb. Since you couldn't work legally during that year, there would be the other costs of food, and housing to worry about. It isn't worth it. 5. No matter who is right and who is wrong, a foreigner can't win. Unless you speak perfect Mandarin Chinese, and at least 10 local dialects, know every Chinese custom, and have married the Mayor's daughter (which he probably didn't want in the first place), you have a 1% chance of winning a case here. With all of this in mind, if you still come to China and get into a hassle with your school, all I can say is... You have been warned.

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