China, 1.3 billion people, ancestral traditions, “capitalist communism”, double-digit growth for years, dizzying changes, the largest migratory movements in history, cities “that do not know them nor god” with more inhabitants than Portugal or Andalusia, Business opportunities, world factory, pollution, the great lender and the world power destined to be hegemonic during this century … These are some facts that tell us the enormous importance that has and will have in a future China. Aware of this, many now choose to take part in their studies in the country or study Chinese. Foreign companies around the world have long been positioned in the country investing huge amounts of dollars and collaborating decisively in the development of the country.
These foreign investments have created many jobs for Chinese, but also for foreign professionals, which has caused the community of expatriates is increasing, although as in many things, those who want teaching jobs in China can flourish their career at present time. Members of that community, with work experience in China are asked and analyzed together about the current situation in the country, with the intention that this information will be useful to all those who face the challenge of looking for work in the Asian giant.
There is no doubt that one of the jobs that abound in China (to the year 2016) is that of professor of English. You can see many offers online, and being in China even more. Offers are generally targeted at people with native English, preferably from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand; from here, and depending on the city, any foreigner is likely to find English teaching jobs in China.
It may seem like a good opportunity, which in what form, definitely is; however, many of the offers are made by third parties and agencies, which are responsible for providing schools with English teachers.
There are a thousand and one stories about agencies, such as:
- Agencies that promise the future teachers accommodation, work and a preparation course, and when they arrive they find that the accommodation either does not exist, or runs on behalf of the teacher (apart from the unhealthy conditions in which the apartment or the room can be in question).
- They guarantee to provide future teachers with the respective permits (work visa (Z) and professional certificate, but upon arrival in China, visas are either short stay or type (F). That the teacher is working illegally in China, at the agency’s discretion, and without any kind of government support (the Supreme Court made it very clear in 2015 that there is no Work link, the teacher who has worked illegally has no right to arbitration).
- In some cases, the agencies offer their clients (the schools) teachers with some certificates and experience in the area of education. However, the demand is such that agencies resort to misleading schools by offering foreign teachers who do not meet the requirements; In many cases, teachers should lie about their origins, their profession, or their years of experience.
- Agencies obviously get a percentage of the salary paid to teachers (this is normal);The problem begins when agencies conceal and deny benefits that schools offer their employees, such as vacation or sick pay; Also the discounted amount can become so high that the actual salary paid by the school is three times more than that received by the teacher. Likewise, in many cases, agencies arbitrarily deduct wage sums for non-existent concepts such as “lack of motivation”.
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