Teaching in China: Universities or Language Schools?

By Amber Rollins
Shengda College

Part 3

Universities schedule all their classes Monday through Friday, from around 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. . Sometimes there may be scheduled night classes or classes on weekends, but this is unusual. Teachers generally teach between four to six hours a day, for a total of 16 - 20 teaching hours a week. Universities also have no classes during holidays, such National Day, May Day, and Spring Festival, so teachers have those days off, usually paid. University teachers also have a good two months or so off during the summer, and some universities offer a summer travel bonus to teachers who return or who have successfully completed their contracts.

Language schools, on the other hand, do most of their business on nights and weekends, and stay open during all but the biggest days of the most celebrated holidays. Teachers work 20 - 25 hours a week, or more, and can be scheduled to work at more than one location, especially
if the school is part of a chain. While language schools also offer vacations, they do a great deal of business during the summer, and are desperate for teachers to work during July and August. In fact, so high is this demand that university teachers frequently pick up short-term jobs in language schools during the summer.

You will, however, make more money at a language school. Language school pay can start at 5,000 yuan per month, plus ample opportunities for overtime. University pay usually begins at 4,000 yuan per month,
and overtime is usually not requested.

Which school is right for you depends on your teaching style, personality, experience, and financial expectations. A new teacher who wants training and a fixed curriculum might prefer a language school. An experienced teacher who can handle her own curriculum might feel more comfortable at a university. A person who wants to make and save money more than anything should probably choose a language school. A person who prefers not to work nights and weekends should choose a university.

Before committing to any school, do your research. Read message forums. Email current and former teachers. Look at the schools' web sites. Find out everything you can about the place at which you are
thinking about living and working. Coming to China is an important event. Choosing a school wisely can make the difference between having a wonderful, fulfilling time teaching English in China and having a
frustrating one.

Amber has a blog that can be found at
www.livejournal.com/users/laowailaoshi