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macula31
Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 4
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Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:52 pm Post subject: Kid Castle -Shanghai |
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Hello. Does anyone here have experience with any of the Kid Castle schools in Shanghai? I've been offered a position and have been unable to find much specific information. |
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Big Worm
Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Posts: 171
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Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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You should consider whether or not you want to have to put "Kid Castle" on your resume for the foreseeable future. |
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muffintop
Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Posts: 803
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Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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I can't speak to any specific location but in general they have a pretty terrible reputation. I am more than a little surprised your search did not turn up a lot of negatives. |
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macula31
Joined: 09 Jan 2014 Posts: 4
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Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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I've found some negative info, but nothing on any of the schools in Shanghai. I was hoping that perhaps the bad was confined to bad ownership in the other schools and maybe didn't reflect on all of the schools. |
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muffintop
Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Posts: 803
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Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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Maybe try Shanghai centric forums for more info. Shanghaiexpat for example. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China
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Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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I agree that to get a good handle on a franchise school you need to get info on the exact outlet you are considering.
I worked a few weeks at a KC in Dalian. It was the manipulative behaviour of the manager that saw me off. Other KC schools may be completely different.
The environment is prescribed with KC songs and dances.
I taught on a Saturday and some of the kids were borderline ADHD. One would attempt to kick you as you came near and another had a food stash in his bag which he dove into every five minutes.
Parents could observe classes through viewing panels.
Not for me but others may enjoy. |
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jg
Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 1263 Location: Ralph Lauren Pueblo
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:36 am Post subject: |
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I worked in one Shanghai branch last year, and I have subbed at many others. It's not bad, but you have to work nights, no getting around that. The bulk of their work is on nights and weekends. Conditions vary not just school to school, but also depending on what Chinese Teacher you have assigned to your class.
Lots of young kids recently out of uni work there with no prior experience, and they gripe and moan, often rightly so, so make sure you go in eyes open and sober - literally and figuratively. If you are a patient person, flexible, and willing to adapt to what seems to a very Chinese approach to learning/edutainment, it's not bad. It pays less than Disney but has fewer hours, and some locations are actually fun to work at. The Kid Castle crowd in Shanghai is an... eccentric bunch, hahahaha.
PM me for more details and dish, I've got plenty  |
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ecubyrd

Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 172
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 10:54 am Post subject: |
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Interestingly enough, there were many applicants currently working there (some for just a short time) for an open position at my school recently.
Maybe it is a good starting point in ESL for those with no experience whatsoever? |
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jg
Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 1263 Location: Ralph Lauren Pueblo
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Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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I think Ecubyrd has highlighted a strength of Kid Castle in Shanghai: they give you lots of training. I had two weeks, and my trainers were excellent. If you have no experience, KC Shanghai is a good place to get some help easing into teaching kids. Other places pay more, but for kindy, you are expected to have experience in general, or they give you some really weak training. That's was my experience at least. |
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