Job Discussion Forums

[RiverMystic]

[Shroob]

[Alien abductee]

[Non Sequitur]

I think it's useful to describe/divide 'hours' as 'contact' ie in front of class and 'non-contact' ie planning, marking.
What a contract describes is 'contact' and from the subject - oral or writing, you can deduce the additional ''non-contact' aspect.

[muubagsh]

I looked over that "form letter," but I can't imagine actually using it, as it looks like a good way to close doors as far as job openings go ("Be advised that if I am cheated in any way, all of the above information will be reported to…"???) It is reasonable to want to be secure from scams, but basic courtesy is a requirement for getting a job in any country. I'm now waiting for my work permit for the job in Gansu, they wanted me to come on an L visa and get the Z visa there, but I did not agree to this after reading some other threads on this site and the visas pages on China Job List.

I would strongly agree with Shroob and Abductee about low hours not equating with laziness. I do a much better job of lesson-planning and teaching if I am given a very manageable (not exhausting) load of classes, and allowed freedom in creating a curriculum on my own time. My worst ESL teaching experience, as far as how well I taught, was at a school where I was micromanaged and made to sit around in a teacher's room to "prepare". Despite the stereotype that foreign ESL teachers are people who "couldn't make it back home," some of us actually do it because we like teaching language, and will spend hours putting together interesting lessons without being forced to.

[muubagsh]

Update: the employer in Gansu is now telling me that they "can't" get the work permit for me before I arrive, because it will take too long and they need to start English classes at the school sooner. They said they have permission from the labor office and that it is not illegal to work on an L-visa if I get it transferred to a Z-visa in 30 days, and that I won't have to leave the mainland to do so. This goes against what I have read, and so I am going to give up on this one. I'd still kind of like to find a job in China, though.

I went into this having taught ESL for years but only recently looked into China. It's beginning to look like the wonderful opportunities I was so surprised to see at first are dodgy or come with a catch (high pollution, dodgy visa situation, etc.) I have also found Chinese employers and recruiters difficult to get straightforward information out of.

[likwid_777]

[Bud Powell]

[likwid_777]

On the off chance that it's true, then you have the added inconvenience and cost of going to Hong Kong (I guess). If I were you (I've been "L-visa'd" before), I wouldn't settle for anything less than that hot little Z-visa in my hand, prior to leaving my home country.

If it turns out to be BS, then you'll have to return home at your own expense, and then start the application process again. At that point, the alternative will be to stay on where they will BS you further, you get in deeper, and you possibly get caught and booted out of China.

[wangdaning]

Sounds like BS to me. They seem to even get their terms mixed up. I think they are trying to say the local labor bureau is willing to convert an L visa to a Residence Permit, yet they call it a Z visa. You are right to steer clear of these folks.

[Voyeur]

What exactly is a 'foundation' program? Do students take them after High School and before entering a foreign university (so they will graduate a bit later than normal)? Or are they high school programs?

Edit: Still a bit confused after some research. There seems to be an "International Foundation Year" which is just that: one year of extra study in China, after High School, before attending a foreign university (typically UK/Australia, for which the original programs seem to have been created). This is not exactly new, as many foreign students who weren't ready for university at the normal age often did a year or more of language training abroad (sometimes under the AEGIS of their target institution, sometimes not). But doing this training in China would have some advantages (as well as disadvantages).

Some seem to have been appropriating the 'Foundation' monicker into a 'Foundation Program' which actually replaces Chinese High School. This seems to be a variation (perhaps in name only) on the many 'International Programs' already available at the better Chinese High Schools. Whether Foundation programs are still hosted at Chinese high schools, or are at their own location, and whether you still get a Chinese HS diploma, I have not figured out yet. Just adding to the information--or misinformation--flow!

[isitts]

[wangdaning]

[isitts]