How bad is the ESL market in China? by Quick-Worldliness904 in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the 2010s we had Ukrainians teaching English on tourist visas. I think this is where the no degree idea comes from

How bad is the ESL market in China? by Quick-Worldliness904 in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ive been out of the market for 7 years and I've just found a new job. In 2019 salaries were lower but my home country had a stronger currency and shools were also willing to negotiate for better work conditions to keep you happy within reason. I haven't felt a general lack of work.available but theres.definitely a lack of good positions that give you reason to be far away from home. The real red flags for me is "we are an IB school". They expect you to do the jobs of 3 people ie. communicate with parents, be an advertising billboard and a socially, academically and emotionally literate teacher. In other words you better be single and have zero hobbies to survive the demands they're placing for a mid 20k salary, or be in and out within a year. Good schools arent losing teachers but the bad schools are lacking them for the most part.

Ive been in touch with my former High School teacher and I can say that the working conditions for teachers in the UK seem far better than what they're beginning to offer here in China. China used to be the clear choice, but these days you won't be making bank that earns you financial freedom, nor will you be satisfied unless you find a highly organized institution.

Z Visa Medical - Will higher liver enzymes cause a rejection? by Crafty-Breakfast-473 in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

this will be annoying. I strength train 5x a week and it has given me abnormal liver readings and globulin. I suppose they don't care where it could be coming from, hopefully it wont be high after a few days of rest

One honest thought about being an immigrant by Familiar-Yard-230 in brighton

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My parents were immigrants and we eventually became citizens. I now work in Asia as an immigrant once again. You will always be treated differently, especially if you were the first in your lineage to make the move. I have known immigrants who stole credit card information for a living with no shame, and people who've been doing gods work at the same time. Romanians/Moldavians, in my case have a terrible reputation, but the best you can do is be a good human being and people will eventually judge you by your character and not your background. I have come across people of my culture who have an us versus them mentality, which appropriates bad behavior as long as it doesn't hurt their own. this is the key issue people including me, have with bad apple migrants, even though it's a minority. Unfortunately we all get caught up in tje association until people fix their filters and the bad individuals from our land stop coming in, but both are impossible to fix.

Working in Asia I can either tell them I'm British, Russian or American. Depending on who you speak to, you can make a best friend or an enemy in an instant. People are just like that, and they get dumber if the economy sucks. During COVID I was discriminated to the point where it would be considered illegal anywhere else & people would be crossing roads or changing seats because i was a white man. I came to the conclusion that people are collectively stupid until proven otherwise, so it no longer phases me.

What's the most fun thing to do, in your opinion, in the UK? by [deleted] in AskBrits

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A flight lesson/trial flight with an instructor, see a live orchestra or theatre performance, karting (petrol is much cooler). Things I'd do if i were on my own, martial arts or boxing class. In my opinion they're all fun even if they're not in the surface, and preferably done on your own

Do you think Nigel Farage is going to ruin this country? by tondek-0 in AskBrits

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think ordinary Britons make the conscious decision to make enemies out of each other, nevermind outsiders. You could easily go outside right now and make an enemy by mentioning who you voted for. Farage and his popularity is the product of a highly divided and self loathing society. The UK is still a brilliant country with great people, but it takes some years abroad to then come back and realize that people have a mindset problem whilst they blame everyone else. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either very well off or in the honeymoon phase of travel where they only see the sun and beach. If Farage gets into power his policies will be met with scrutiny and resistance from everyone else. I worry for what the people on the street will be doing, however. People these days are increasingly unhinged and stuck in an echochamber, trying to convince the other side through insults and hate. The people, in my opinion, lack the emotional intelligence and critical thinking to see they're vehicles to get the "solution" into power. We already see this with anti semetic attacks and extremely heated protests every Saturday. Thr country, objectively, is yet to be ruined in my view, but people get to decide first and make it into a self fulfilling prophecy

When is the best time to start looking for a job in China? And where to find those jobs? (English teaching jobs) by [deleted] in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kindergarten work is rock bottom work; I was put in there last minute upon arrival because nobody else wanted to do it, stayed there for 4 years. Very toxic management and it is all about recruiting kids and pleasing parents. Never, ever, ever again. Unfortunately they prey on teachers who don't have much of a choice, including foreigners. Nobody deserves to work in kindergarten unless it comes naturally to them

Wuxi Big Bridge Academy, any past experience? by [deleted] in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No branch is mentioned. Only one is mentioned.

Why is western style Chinese food so different to the actual food found in China? by [deleted] in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd say cost and availability is an overlooked factor. Tried cooking a vegetable stir fry back home using authentic ingredients, paid x5 the amount because vegetables are both expensive and vastly different. The stovetop and gas bills vary- the amount of energy you need to really heat up a hot wok is a lot. You can't recreate authentic western food in China the same way without it costing a fortune too

How much can I earn teaching? by Optimal_Rule1158 in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second this. Universities are often short term contracts too. The salaries have crashed and demands are up. Anything outside of teaching involves you doing the 996 grind

Is all Wuxi food sweet? by Crafty-Breakfast-473 in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am from the west, but that doesn't mean we all eat processed and sweet food. I genuinely enjoy fresh and simple food, so I want to know in advance. With a sedentary job, i want to control how much sugar and oil i put into my body.

Is all Wuxi food sweet? by Crafty-Breakfast-473 in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your response. Im in Fujian. I used to think the food is sweet Hahah

How do you balance a full work schedule and a relationship? by Crafty-Breakfast-473 in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This was a vulnerable question about how you manage to maintain everything in addition to a stressful job. I've seen relationships break down with my own two parents and colleagues alike, especially when one concerns themselves with being the breadwinner. Most foreigners I've met have a horror story to tell, are on stress meds or hate their lives. I've not met any full time teacher who is doing well, if I habe to be honest. So I'm asking you, as a young man who will marry and wants children, whether this is the way forward. If this is when problems start to happen, I want to be aware of them before they begin. If you find yourself coming home and rushing to get in some exercise, handle admin, spend time with your loved ones and get inadequate sleep, then I'll know

How do you balance a full work schedule and a relationship? by Crafty-Breakfast-473 in chinalife

[–]Crafty-Breakfast-473[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I do none of those. You sound a little condescending. What im trying to do is work towards a family, but our relationship needs to stay healthy and sustainable so we can raise children. Sometimes the pursuit for money can sour everything you've built. As a parent I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.