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ESLemployment, First Leap School in Beijing (LEGIT OR NOT?)

 
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Vaxa



Joined: 03 Jul 2014
Posts: 74
Location: United Kingdom

PostPosted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:57 pm    Post subject: ESLemployment, First Leap School in Beijing (LEGIT OR NOT?) Reply with quote

So I read many horror stories about people being shafted with the wrong visa type and also schools not holding to there contracts etc etc...

So as the title reads... The recruitment agency is ESLemployment.

I have been dealing with Ms. Derlin Zhao

Also stated in her title inderneath is (Greater teachers union)


The school name is First Leap. I have heard both good and some bad with this school.

Are they legit does anyone know?

They have offered to get me over on the Z visa. As I know about the other types of Visa and working abroad I made sure they knew I knew what visa was required.

I have no Degree, TEFL of any kind or previous English teaching experience.

(Guitar tutor with kids for many years and long work resume experience is all I have with standard highschool grades)

I am from the UK.

The school I have been told is a private school not public.

Its obviously a big decision doing something like this so just want to know whats what especially with all the horror stories you hear.

Thanks guys.
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maxand



Joined: 04 Jan 2012
Posts: 318

PostPosted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

is this the school you are writing about?

http://www.firstleap.cn/english/map.html

where tadpoles become frogs...aiyaaaaaaaaaa
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Vaxa



Joined: 03 Jul 2014
Posts: 74
Location: United Kingdom

PostPosted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 6:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Haha yeah thats the 1
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MuscatGary



Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...

PostPosted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 6:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't burn your bridges at home and make sure you have enough cash to get home if it doesn't work out.
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Vaxa



Joined: 03 Jul 2014
Posts: 74
Location: United Kingdom

PostPosted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the tip Gary
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Vaxa



Joined: 03 Jul 2014
Posts: 74
Location: United Kingdom

PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Could I get a *bump* on this topic please?

Just to hear if there is anyone else who has heard about these guys as I can find very little on the school and nothing on the agency.

The school I can actually find 1 bad review about someone who worked for them on a tourist visa through the agency named "ODEN"


Other than that I cant find much else.
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roadwalker



Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 12:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

OP, first, sorry I don't know anything about this school. I am skeptical about the offer to get you a z-visa since you don't have the usual standard qualifications that are asked for, and this is Beijing you are talking about. Beijing is more likely to be strict on most things than places not so close to Beijing.

You said they offered to hire you on a z-visa? If you are at all interested, take them up on it. They need to get a work permit and a Visa Notification Letter (aka an "invitation letter") to you, at minimum, before you can apply for the z-visa. Take them up on it and ask them to send you the documents. If they hem and haw, forget them and treat it as a learning experience. Don't risk your own money flying over on any other visa.
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Vaxa



Joined: 03 Jul 2014
Posts: 74
Location: United Kingdom

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Walker.


I will try it out and see what is what I guess no harm in trying for it and if they try and mess me about I will quickly turn my back on it.

I have another offer in Yangzhuo which I know for certain is legit. Also a tier 2 or 3 city which I guess would be easier for any visa issues and cost of living also.

I just prefer Beijing as my friend will also be moving to Beijing with the job offer. So would be good to have a fellow country man with me lol
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Riff Raff



Joined: 09 Jun 2014
Posts: 85

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 5:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

maxand wrote:
is this the school you are writing about?

http://www.firstleap.cn/english/map.html

where tadpoles become frogs...aiyaaaaaaaaaa


Gotta put my college degree to work

http://www.allaboutclowns.com/clown_school_listing.html
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Vaxa



Joined: 03 Jul 2014
Posts: 74
Location: United Kingdom

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah I dont understand why one would need to have a degree in order to teach young learners.

I understand and am not taking anything away from people with a teaching degree. However why would a degree in say, mechanics or nursing etc etc make someone better off at being accepted for a teaching.

A degree may show hard work and commitment of course but people like myself without a degree have worked since I left high school for over 10 years at a professional level.
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Mdawg45



Joined: 12 Jul 2015
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 4:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I know this is old but hoping someone will answer. I've applied to work with First Leap and have been accepted. Except then I was referred to a recruiter named Sally Xia from Oden to continue the process. At first they needed just a few things like passport and references and that's all they needed, then they kept adding on other things like background check and such which is needed for the Z-visa but why didn't they list everything all at once? I do not have a degree which they told me would be ok since I would only train in Beijing and work elsewhere for First Leap, but it would be on the Z-visa (I do have TESL certification). I cannot find anything on this Oden company other than some unpleasant reviews about them and First Leap. I found a Sally Xia on linkedin that matches china esl recruiting but links to an Oden Construction Company. Has anyone worked for First Leap or gone through all this? Any advice?
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jimpellow



Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 913

PostPosted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, you do need a degree to get a z-visa in Beijing as well as the background check and two years of experience, which may be checked on. In fact, I can't think of a jurisdiction in China where you don't need a degree. This whole thing too about getting a visa for one area and working in another is also illegal and dangerous for you.

I would think that they are going to try to get you the z-visa by faking the credentials you don't have, and making you get the background check as they haven't figured out a way to scam on that one.

More red flags than May Day in Tiananmen Square. I can assure you that if the credentials they fake are ever to be found to be fraudulent, either before or after you get the z-visa, they will say that you did it and the authorities will believe them. Even if you and another dozen teachers they scammed are all yelling the same truth from your shared detention cell.

I think Chinese like to bring up the requirements bit by bit as they are masters of manipulation. They know that people are willing to do one more thing, if they have already invested in one previous thing.

Anyways, good of you to research this before making the leap. But my opinion is to leap away from this even if I didn't discern the details correctly.
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Mdawg45



Joined: 12 Jul 2015
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry for the late reply, but thank you for the response. I'm curious though if anyone has worked for them legit without being their first. I see many websites started and then left after working there. It would be me teaching preschool though 1st grade. Do I still need a bachelors?
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