Job Discussion Forums

Desiree · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Portland, OR

What do you all know about a program called The English Village in China?

I think I'm about to be offered a summer teaching job by them. They don't cover airfare, due to it being such a short duration (2 months), but they do provide room and board, plus 5,000-6,000 yuen / month (since they haven't made me an official job offer yet, I know it's in that range somewhere but nothing more exact.) They also take their teachers on summer trips to various places free of charge.

I've never had an English teaching job before, much less been to China, so I'm trying to find out ALL the info I can on this place. I've been told so many horror stories about teaching in Asia, and I want to do everything I can to make sure I don't put myself into a position that I regret. I googled for this school and the only thing I could really come up with was an endorsement by the Asian Studies department at Randolph-Macon College.

Since I'm still in the process of completing my B.A., I'm really just looking at teaching English (I have a certification, not a degree) as a summer gig and a way I can travel around and get paid while I'm abroad. (And learn as much about China as I possibly can.) I don't want to get taken, so I'd appreciate all the advice I can get on this particular school.

Recommendations or NON-recommendations for other programs are of course welcome, too.

Thanks for your help.

shannow5 · Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 10

I am not a number, I am a free man!

steer clear of the village man. Wink

Desiree · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Portland, OR

Hah... nice rhyme.
Just to be clear: you recommend NOT working for the English Village? (aka Taiyuan Modern English, I think)

Louis · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Posts: 275 Location: Beautiful Taiyuan

Taiyuan Modern English? I know where it is, but I don't know anybody working there... The location is good, right downtown (next to the China City disco), but I really don't know if the housing will be adjacent to the school. The money sounds a bit low, if you realize that summer schools tend to pack a lot of classes into a day, more than your average school year job. Also, Taiyuan is not the most touristy place in China, and sorta far from many possible attractions (ie. Shanghai) but reasonably close to Beijing and Xi'an.

Ludwig · Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 7:27 am Post subject:

Where am I?

....In the village...

Who are you?

...YOU are number 6...

Who is number one?

...that would be telling...

laodeng · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 481

I think it's Leo McKern.