Job Discussion Forums

cedarstreetcowboy · Joined: 13 May 2012 Posts: 38

I'd like to hear people's opinions about this school.

I really like Xi'An, but I have to say the package they're offering looks pretty sub-par for a training institute. 9,000 RMB a month, no housing, no medical, and some pretty draconian clauses surrounding sick leave.

I'm about ready to put this offer in the rubbish bin, but if the students are good and the management is decent, I'd be willing to consider it if they up the salary a bit.

Thanks in advance for your help.

benlol91 · Joined: 07 Aug 2014 Posts: 3

9000 is alright for Xi'an assuming the contract is 20-28 teaching hours a week and you have no experience. Rent is roughly 1500 for a decent apartment + 300 for bills each month.

Also note; it's very uncommon for a school in Xi'an to up a salary to someone with no experience should you have none.
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I'm not familiar with the school (which would imply it's a new/small school), but have worked in Xi'an and in nearby cities for a year and a half.

The school should pay for the initial medical (in addition to medical insurance for the duration of the contract - if they aren't willing to pay insurance don't consider the offer.).

Don't agree to a contract on an F or L visa, (only accept a Z). Also don't agree to any probation period; from the information you've given they'd have nothing to lose by bringing you over for a month and firing you before pay day.
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Ask to speak to some of the FTs currently at the school via Skype (Not a DOS) and see what they have to say - they are the only ones who can give you up to date information. Again, if the school don't allow this I'd highly recommend you disregard the offer.

cedarstreetcowboy · Joined: 13 May 2012 Posts: 38

I have many years of ESL experience in Canada and East Asia. I've seen this job advertised as offering a salary of 8-10,000 RMB per month, so I don't think 10,000 is asking too much.

The school is Xi'An Royal International English.

The contract specifies that they won't take any responsibility for medical expenses. I sent them an email today saying that they need to pay for medical insurance if they want to hire foreigners on an Z visa (I was told this by someone I know in the business) and they said they were "working on insurance"...whatever that means. They claim they can get a Z visa, but I'm sceptical.

The contract specifies a one month probation period, which I'm also not too keen on.

3701 W.119th · Joined: 26 Feb 2014 Posts: 386 Location: Central China

A probation period seems fine to me. Most 'teachers' here are total losers. It's only fair that the school should get to cut ties.

cedarstreetcowboy · Joined: 13 May 2012 Posts: 38

You have a good point.

My concern is that they'll just can me after a month and not pay me.

The contract says that there's no health insurance and that teachers should buy their own. This isn't the industry standard from what I've seen.

I asked them about it and they said they were "negotiating" with a health insurance company and that it would be on the contract in the "near future", which sounds a bit sketchy to me.

So I asked them when it would be on their contract and if they'd negotiate on the salary, and I asked to speak to a foreign teacher currently employed there via Skype. The response I got was basically "thanks for coming out, good luck on your job hunt".

benlol91 · Joined: 07 Aug 2014 Posts: 3

You probably did well to avoid it. Being a 3rd tier city teachers in Xi'an are not well protected and scams are rampant - from the way they reacted Royal International English is yet another.

If you are set on coming to Xi'an look into joining a well known school who are willing to provide the medical insurance/Z Visa+permit/housing/flight allowance without asking and have verifiable references - for your own peace of mind. They aren't difficult to find if you search online.

cedarstreetcowboy · Joined: 13 May 2012 Posts: 38

I was under the impression that Xi'An was a second tier city.

Apparently not from what you're saying.

I took a look at Royal's website. They employ a lot of non-native speakers and what little English there is on their website has plenty of spelling and grammar mistakes.

If anyone can recommend specific schools, I'd really appreciate it.