Bargain for everything in China – especially your teaching contract
If you’ve been in China for any amount of time then you probably know well enough to bargain for just about everything. This certainly does not exclude a teaching contract.
If you came from abroad to teach in China for the first time then chances are you’ve already signed a contract and are finding one of two things.
1. There are lots of other teaching opportunities in your city that pay much more money and/or seem to be all around better deals.
2. The school you’re teaching for is not very hospitable and maybe not entirely holding up their end of the contract.
If you are in either of these situations I’d firstly like to recommend doing to your best to stay with it. In my limited experience (teaching 2 years then hiring foreign teachers for 2 years) I feel there is a shortage of foreign teachers in China who really take pride in their work and try to deliver something of quality. Most teachers I’ve come across see their ESL jobs as “jokes” and an easy way to make money (which it is, very often). Take this ESL teacher’s experience as an example of this (http://lookingforalittleadventure.blogspot.com/2008/11/teachers.html). It’s true the education system, especially when it comes to hiring and managing foreigners, is undeveloped and disorganized in China. However, I don’t think that should be an excuse for us to pick up and run at the first sign of adversity.
Maybe you’ve finished a contract or maybe you’ve decided to get out of a bad situation. Either way, if you’re thinking of signing at a new school you should think about how you will bargain regarding your next contract.
My general advice is to shoot much higher than you normally would. Remember, your teaching experience is not just about money. Go to the school if possible. Look at the teachers’ office, look at how the students are acting, and look in the face of your would-to-be boss. In China you really can’t be sure of anything, or even believe anything you hear until you see it for yourself.
Remember one thing; take pride in your work!