Turino
- 2009-06-21
I have seen my fair share of Chinese teaching contracts and it is no where near the worst of the lot. For example, I have seen clauses such as being charged 4 yuan per minute if you are late for a class!
I'd be very interested to know your criteria for a bad contract.They are certainly not the same as mine,and I've seen my fair share of contracts too.Re your example,teachers shouldn't be late for class,I reckon you must be working for peanuts if you are upset by a paltry fine of only 4 Yuan per minute of lateness.Unlike you,my criteria for a bad contract are its clauses re dismissal procedures and arbitration rights,of great use to a fired foreign teacher who feels dutybound to try and prove unfair dismissal.I think most readers will agree with what I've said above.You avoided mentioning dismissal procedures or arbitration,if any.I wonder why!
The contracted working hours for Party B shall be up to 2022periods (40minutes each) per week during 5 weekdays. Party B shall share the class teachers duty with a bilingual teacher appointed by Party A. The duty includes attending all the class activities during the weekdays, meeting with the parents on Friday afternoons and helping solve the problems occurring unexpectedly during the class. Teachers are reminded to be at school during the work-time in the five-day work week even when they have no classes. Teachers are also reminded that the teaching schedule may be modified to accommodate examinations and holidays.'
As a former secondary school teacher in my homeland,I could return there and be busy,as you've described above,for a heap more money,by the way.But I prefer to teach only 14-20 teaching periods a week with no additional duties.You live to work,but I work to live.It's great that China caters for my employment needs.So I think the conditions you've mentioned above are bad ones!
I think that meeting with the parents should be considered a good thing if you are at all concerned about being a good teacher. And the fact that you have to stay in the school throughout the day - if you are work-shy and don't like it then it is stated there in black and white so don't join the school. In fact I find that it is quite unfair in the school's where I have worked previously that the Chinese staff must stay for the whole day and the international teachers can waltz in and out as they please (while being paid much better wages). I think this equality in the school is something that makes it more favourable to me, not less.
You state work-shy louwai shouldn't join the school.Rather obvious,and needn't have been stated.That said,I'm not here to worry about the lot of my Chinese colleagues.I don't want to become a workaholic here.I want to waltz in and out,as you say,and have lots of leisure time to 'play',as the Chinese say!
Anyhow, I am still trying to be open-minded about the school.
As you no doubt know,the unfair contract on offer means I cannot be open-minded.
Obviously the school may not stick to the contract in any event, making it not worth the paper it is written on but that is the risk that you always take when teaching abroad.
My contracts have always had an arbitration clause.If a school doesn't stick to the contract,re matters in it that I regard as important,I'll point out the breaches.So far,each breach has been resolved there and then to my satisfaction.Only once did I have to hint re the arbitration panel that sits in Beijing.Guess what,the director suddenly agreed with my viewpoint - problem solved,happy FT,me!
I shall be visiting the school myself and talking to actual international teachers who are there now to get the real information and see things for myself. I am very much used to the way things work here and I am sure to come back and have a much clearer idea of what the school is really like.
But you won't know the whole story!Better and cheaper to sign a fair contract at distance,and thereafter make sure what's in it is adhered to.The trouble with you is that you don't know what a fair contract is!
Badger
- 2009-06-20
Dear all,
This is my first time to write on such a message board. I have been researching this school since I am considering joining next semester. From reading all the different message boards, (which all seem to be populated by many of the same people, and containing mainly mud-slinging comments rather than actual helpful information for fellow teachers) it is difficult to come to any kind of decision on the school.
Suffice to say, I have received a copy of the contract. It is slightly different to the one that Silverboy posted on here and dissected. I cannot agree that is the worst contract that I have ever seen. I have seen my fair share of Chinese teaching contracts and it is no where near the worst of the lot. For example, I have seen clauses such as being charged 4 yuan per minute if you are late for a class!
This clause for example is in the SFLS contract:
In case of illness or absence, Party B is obliged to inform Party A in written form beforehand. If Party B fails to inform Party A, Party B shall be liable to breach penalty of 500 RMB per day. If Party B repeats such act, Party A has the right to terminate the employment contract and ask for compensation for Party Bs breach of contract.
I agree that it is a little ridulous to inform them in writing because you can't know in advance that you will be ill. But then if you are concerned about it then you clarify with the school (as I am going to do). Perhaps a telephone call/email would suffice? If so I will ask the school to amend said clause to state this. If the school refuses to make such a small amendment then yes, I would agree something is up and I would not join the school.
My contract (unlike Silverboy) states:
'The contracted working hours for Party B shall be up to 2022periods (40minutes each) per week during 5 weekdays. Party B shall share the class teachers duty with a bilingual teacher appointed by Party A. The duty includes attending all the class activities during the weekdays, meeting with the parents on Friday afternoons and helping solve the problems occurring unexpectedly during the class. Teachers are reminded to be at school during the work-time in the five-day work week even when they have no classes. Teachers are also reminded that the teaching schedule may be modified to accommodate examinations and holidays.'
As you can see it does not say on mine about teaching assistant teachers or recruiting new students. I think that meeting with the parents should be considered a good thing if you are at all concerned about being a good teacher. And the fact that you have to stay in the school throughout the day - if you are work-shy and don't like it then it is stated there in black and white so don't join the school. In fact I find that it is quite unfair in the school's where I have worked previously that the Chinese staff must stay for the whole day and the international teachers can waltz in and out as they please (while being paid much better wages). I think this equality in the school is something that makes it more favourable to me, not less.
Another clause that Silverboy mentions:
'Party A shall provide Party B with free medical treatment in Party As campus clinic. If necessary, Party B can go to the local hospital designated by Party A. Party A will only reimburse Party Bs medical expenses incurred at the designated hospital. The maximum allowance for medical expenses is RMB500 per semester and Party B is responsible for expenses that exceed the maximum allowance.'
This is very similar to other schools I have worked at and it has never been a problem. Of course you should have your own private insurance as well - when you live in a foreign country you would be an idiot not to in my book!
Anyhow, I am still trying to be open-minded about the school. Obviously the school may not stick to the contract in any event, making it not worth the paper it is written on but that is the risk that you always take when teaching abroad.
I shall be visiting the school myself and talking to actual international teachers who are there now to get the real information and see things for myself. I am very much used to the way things work here and I am sure to come back and have a much clearer idea of what the school is really like.
I will come back to you and tell you what I thought after my visit.