Job Discussion Forums

[hz88]

I am not in Taiyuan but am very familiar with Shanxi. Taiyuan itself is pretty much as others have described. Simply, there are very few foreigners. There is very little in the way of social life. It has some western amenities, the ubiquitous KFC's, McD's, two Walmart's, Starbucks (which are mushrooming) etc but my experience of the expats there is that they largely keep themselves to themselves. A fair few of the ones I know are actually married to locals.

As for the establishment you mentioned, I know where it is. Again, as described. What I have seen at another university in Taiyuan is that they have had such a hard time attracting native speakers they introduced a Russian class so they could employ a Russian teacher legally, he teaches two classes of Russian and the remainder are the usual ESL Spoken classes that would have otherwise been offered to a native speaker.

My guess is that is what is happening here.

[Non Sequitur]

[Modernist]

NS makes very good points as usual. At my old engineering school, for example, some of the English majors were worse at English than say, the accounting majors, who as far as I know, had better GK scores overall. (Those in my old province who were ACTUALLY skilled at English did not study it at an engineering school, haha!)

The civil engineering majors, who had very good GK, were typically hopeless at oral English. Whatever they learned in high school was totally devoted to gaming the GK scoring system and had no value in terms of actually speaking or using the language effectively. The only engineers who were truly skilled at English were the hydropower majors, who were the absolute top of the whole school and generally came from extremely good high schools in their home cities.

However, all this is still in reference to proper schools, even if they are provincial. My impression is that these 'foreign studies colleges' are pretty wretched overall. Even a 3-year vocational hospitality school would probably be a better environment than they are. I would never work at one, especially in a place like Taiyuan!

[Modernist]

[Non Sequitur]

Further point is that GK has no oral component. Accordingly, for that 3rd high school year it is not taught or examined. As some ambitious students stay back for a 4th year to get a better GK and hence a better status school, that oral English drought is 2 years.
The unexpected consequence can be that higher status students appear to FTs as less able speakers than students at lower status schools.
As in so many other ways, China is a country of unexpected consequences. Think one child policy and Mao's mad scheme to kill all the sparrows.

[cormac]

[cdchristy]

A lot has been said since as I last responded. I largely support NS and the Modernist in their descriptions of Taiyuan, the experience of an FT, and comments related to Chinese education. That being said, my comments are particularly related to my experience in a local university. In addition, my friend who works at the school that the OP has asked about echoes my comments related to the students. To be honest, I can not really speak beyond the local area since this is the only place in China that I have taught. Tobi, these students will be very poorly motivated to learn German or English because they will see no need for it. In general, they will come not have higher scores on the GaoKao as this is a 3 year college and few students would list it as their first choice for college.
As far as a bike ride, you would have to travel Taiyu Lu (a dangerous freeway) in order to make it in 30 minutes. I have done this myself and I can tell you (By actual experience) that it is dangerous.
If you want the exact location, you can pm me a WeChat id and I will send it to you. My friend who works there sent it to me already.

[cdchristy]

These comments are mainly in response to NS. Taiyuan and Qingdao are worlds apart (or at least I would think they are). Taiyuan, as described already by several of us, is not much of happening place especially for tourists. Local opportunities for Tourism majors are likely much more abundant in Qingdao and nearby locals. Students likely have more hope of finding a decent job. Taiyuan tourism majors do not typically have such hope. Sure, I have had a few students who were exceptions. While I wish students would develop themselves for a better opportunity (even if it is beyond Shanxi), most of them just can not imagine something beyond their present reality.
In addition, you mentioned some students deliberately choosing a lower ranked school. This school is the lowest of the low. There may be some who chose it, but I doubt there would be many. Likely, this difference in our views is related to the vast economic differences in our respective areas.

[TobiasAH]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all your answers ... you really throw quite a bad light on this whole situation

Is there anything postive to say about Taiyuan? I mean its not like the town is unknown to tourists: there is plenty of stuff on Tripadvisor and similar platforms to be found ... Again, I dont even really care about tourists (which is rather funny considering that I would like to teach at a tourism college ) ... I am not a person who sticks to myself most of the time; as I said 2-3 people to know and have around me is plenty.

Have you guys checked out the website I have send you (the one of the college) - is this REALLY the one you are talking about since there are a few similar sounding schools in Taiyuan - i have also send you the address this doesnt seem to be too far off town ...

In regards to cycling: Does anybody have experiences with getting a motorbike license by any chance?

Also, I have just been informed that I can choose between X and Z Visa ... apparently, both would be fine; the Z Visum being the proper work-visa; the X-Visa being the student visa with which I could however legally work apparently ... Any thought on this?

[Elicit]

Yes, I have two:

1) Read the forum carefully
2) on your marks... get set... RUN

[TobiasAH]

Elicit this isnt very helpful :/

Its not even clear if we are talking about the same institution:?
Has anybody checked the website ... or those who have apparently taught at that school: Is that the one we are talking about??

[Non Sequitur]

[cdchristy]

Tobi, To be direct, I basically follow Elicit's perspective. I have done my best to answer your questions concerning the local area and have even contacted a friend who works at the school you mentioned (or as you seem to think--shares the same name but may or may not be correct). I honestly don't know what further help I may be on this matter. All of this to say, I wish you the best.

[Non Sequitur]

[cdchristy]

NS, my friend works for another local university and has permission from his FAO to teach at this school. He has the Z visa. Since the OP mentioned both the Z and X visa, this makes me wonder whether or not this school can even hire foreigners directly.