Job Discussion Forums

[dreaming_saturn]

Hi all,
I have been offered two summer positions, and will give you the rundown on them both because I am having trouble deciding, and hope you experienced teachers in China can give me a bit of advice

Position 1 - near Hangzhou - EF. Seven week position 4500rmb/month plus accomodation. Teaching hours 36-44 academic hours teaching and prep per week. up to $1000 airfare reimbursed (half upon arrival, half at end of the contract. Shared housing. Husband allowed to visit. I need a 30 day tourist visa and was assured it would be changed into a work visa

Position 2 Wenzhou. LEC- 9 week position. 3000 rmb/ month but overtime per hour 100 rmb per hour, and was assured that 100 hrs/month at the least is possible. up to $800 airfare reimbursed (all at end of contract) Shared housing (utilities excluded). Husband allowed to visit. Canadian-Chinese owners. just told to get a 90 day tourist visa. Not sure if they are going to change it, will ask.

Both also have + and -ve points, the DOS at EF was friendly but seemed overworked, she missed our telephone interview appt. twice and sounded tired. I was able to talk with a teacher who had been at EF the school before and loved the experience. As for LEC my contact was very businesslike and prompt.

OK, so here are the two I am deciding between. Any advice? Quick replies would be appreciated as both schools would like me to contact them ASAP.

What I am looking for is a chance to experience China for a short while, and would prefer not to lose any $, but don't mind coming back empty handed. Also, my husband plans on visiting a couple of weeks, so location plays a part in my decision.

Thanks!

[stavrogin2001]

I have only heard really bad things about LEC, but it is only for a summer. Check the Job information journal.

EF is a lot of work, but I think you might be better off with them.

[kev7161]

Wow. I get 4000 a month for teaching 12 periods per week (maximum 18 periods) and maybe a couple hours prep. Next year I'll make 5000. That's a LOT of teaching/prep hours for 4500rmb. Plus I get my own housing, free meals, blah, blah, blah (you've seen it all before if you've been reading posts). My summer job is certainly more hours (about 30-36 periods per week), but it pays a LOTmore (close to 9000 for the month - but no plane reimbursement). But if you are coming for the experience of teaching only, then EF would probably be the safer bet. If you want to experience CHINA in that 7 weeks, it might be a little more difficult with all those working hours.

Do-able, granted, but maybe the energy might not be there (and it can get HOT in the summer here in Hangzhou). However, there are a lot of interesting places to go and see in Hangzhou and the surrounding areas (have you heard of the beautiful West Lake? ) so . . .

[nolefan]

it is not all that bad if they are reumbursing the cost of the plane ticket for 2 months worth of work.... I think that it's a pretty decent deal.

Most of the summer camps, may they be with EF or any other school, will work you to death.... As I friend of mine said today: "those short people are gonna get to you"

[dreaming_saturn]

thanks for your input. I have much the same idea - I don't mind working hard if airfare is covered, and plan on taking a two week trip after the work is done to see a bit of China Still undecided

[quote="stavrogin2001"]I have only heard really bad things about LEC, but it is only for a summer. Check the Job information journal.

I've just checked, but don't see anything there. Maybe not looking hard enough.

[stavrogin2001]

Maybe it wasn't here, but I remember seeing some dirty on LEC that they had the usually problems you here about here. I have pasted it below with the email address, you can drop them a line.

Shanghai is a wonderful place to live and work, and there are an incredible amount of opportunities out there. Please don't make the same mistake I did-- don't work for the Learning Education Center. It seemed great when I first started working there, but things soon changed. Ridiculous schedueling problems, a tendency to push problems off on the foreign teachers, an exorbitant amount of busywork, duties that invade days off, and a screaming office assistant were more than enough to make it a terrible work enviornment. The last straw came when all the foreign teachers were shouted at and scolded in a meeting. They all are very hardworking, capable, experienced teachers. I wanted to leave and was called "American garbage" and a "child". I have been living and working in China for over a year and consider myself to be a good teacher who deserves a job where my dignity can remain intact. There are plenty of other schools in Shanghai that treat their employees like human beings. Why choose this one?
April 20, 2003
[email protected]
Shanghai, China
Posted: April 20, 2003