What Should You Do When Signing A Teaching Contract In China?

Even though reliable recruiting agencies always try every effort to only cooperate with those reputable schools and educational companies, you should be careful when signing a contract so as to avoid the scams.

Things should be included in the contract:

• The salary (pre-tax & after-tax)
• The date of payment
• The working hours (minimum/maximum/fixed)
• The holiday time (whether it’s a paid holiday)
• The bonus (like the details of reimbursement)
• The exact name and address of the school/company (your exact workplace)
• Other responsibilities beside teaching (like office hours)
• The exit penalties for quitting the job in advance (all called “liquidated damages”)
• Methods to get a release letter  

[Recommended Reading: WORKING IN CHINA: SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE CONTRACT] 

And you should:

• Read through the whole contract to make sure that the contract they gave you to see is the same as the final contract you are about to sign
• Make sure there is nothing ambiguous/vague in your contract
• Ask questions if you find something you cannot understand
• Never sign the contract in a rush though you are so eager to the job
• Never believe that a tourist visa can replace a work visa (z-visa)!

Things you should pay attention if the employer do like this:

• Forbid you to contract other teachers (past & present)

They are likely to have "hidden rules" that they don't want let you know

• Refuse to amend the unequal or unreasonable items in the contract
• “Persuade” or force you to sign the contract

They will say something like, “There are also other excellent teachers who are interested in this position.”, “It will be your great lost if you refuse to sign the contract.” And “It’s impossible for you to find a good job like this one in China.” You know, a great number of good teaching jobs are everywhere in China, so don’t sign a contract that unsatisfied you.

Schools and companies with good reputation always respect and cherish their teachers. Therefore, please keep your eyes open when signing the contract officially if you don't want to be tied up by a “black-hearted” employer.