Job Discussion Forums

[Czaerana]

Does anyone know anything about this company? They are about to open another English training center in Shenzhen. The person I'm communicating with said they will reimburse me for airfare to fly from Fuzhou to Shenzhen to interview next week Is this company reputable?

[Lei Feng]

Any result with this school? If you ended up working there how is/was it?

They recently offered me a job, but I have no idea about it.

[tangal]

A Test Preparation goldmine, lots of folks making big paychecks (14-20K & up) at their Coastal City center; they pay cash, no tax, but expect long hours and days, as they push lots of overtime (6-7 classes per day, 6 days per week, anything over 105 classes per month is o.t.). Two shifts, day 10am-6pm, swing 1-9pm; fairly stingy holiday, accomodation, Z-Visa sponsorship, and other pay and benefits, but depends on how well you negotiate. If you like working long hours, doing lots of 1-on-1 VIP classes, and making $$$ there are worse gigs in China.

[bestteacher2012]

[tangal]

They did a couple years ago, not sure if they still do, but with Hong Kong and F visas just a hop, skip, and a jump across the border...

[likwid_777]

I didn't hear any complaints about the branch in Harbin, though I never really asked too hard. And, could be a franchise also.

[5h09un]

[Lei Feng]

Any other thoughts on this school?

[Lei Feng]

I just went through hell with this school.

I asked earlier, but never got a scary response. I could never find anything about them online and the salary offer was great: 16K a month, no apt, 105 hours a month with tons of OT over the summer.

The boss in Shenzhen, Gao Yang, spoke English well and the teacher manager did as well.

I move to Shenzhen and the school is a bit rundown, but it is centrally located.

I begin work and there are no books, no curriculam and zero direction as to what the students are expected to learn. It's all one-on-one class with random students that change daily.

It is next to impossible to lesson plan.

The other teachers are competitive and occasionally sabotage you or just talk your ear off about nonsense. Particularly, this one Israeli guy that can't shut up.

The management is either all up in your shit about nothing or completely non-responsive about important things like visas or accomadation assistance that was promised.

I can't deal with this place.

My understanding is that Pattison in China are all franchises. The Shenzhen franchise has two schools. The one I was in was a mess. No idea about the other one.

I will just hold tight for the summer and bail. It is way too haphazard so far. Plus, they had me sign a fake contract with a much lower salary just for the PSB to "expediate" my visa. That was weeks ago. I am very curious as to how they are going to do my salary.

In short, if you can, avoid Shenzhen Pattison.

[Lei Feng]

Well, I got paid. It was the right amount but it was close.

I went to ask for the remainder and I was given the run around.

In addition, they still have an Advert on echinacities claiming they offer 20K a month. Don't believe it.

The only good part that I can say is that as long as you don't completely shit the bed you have some room, but there has been such a turnover here. In fact, they are opening a new school in Long Hua and are tricking teachers to work there.

The new teachers are told they are in Shenzhen, but in reality they are way, way out in the industrial area. No supermarkets, no decent restaurants and a new school that smells of paint, no computers, can't print, no photocopies, and few students so that means a lesser paycheck.

Also, no visas.

This is just a pack of lies. Protect yourself and avoid this farce.

[Alien abductee]

[Lei Feng]

Just want to bump this up.

Does anyone else have any new experiences to add?

[water rat]