Job Discussion Forums

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

Ok, this bunch are definitely going to be hiring soon-due to unforseen departures, so here are a few reasons, as to why this place should be avoided.
1] Workload/ Salary. They offer a pretty standard government Uni range between 6-9k a month, dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the teachers. However, for many this isn't your standard government Uni gig where teachers are conducting oral communication classes. Those unfortunate to be assigned the writing classes can expect a large amount of planning classes, in order to supplement the excrutiating text books, grading and correcting essays set as homework, correcting the students journal entries, + the same grading of essays again for both tests and final exams. A hell of a lot of work for that salary.....
2] Accommodation. Some teachers are fortunate to be housed in newly renovated and moderately well-furnished apartments, others are housed in unsanitary hovels that aren't fit for human habitation. Respiratory problems caused by severe mould infestation anyone?
3] Professional assistance/ help for new teachers. This is basically non-existant, cos SCIC runs things on such a shoestring, in order to maximise profits, that there are no academic support staff to assist with essentials, such as bank account and obtaining services. I'm sorry but a 'student helper' assigned to assist each teacher- in order to improve their English, is a pretty bloody lame excuse for not 'taking care' of the teachers....3 points then for anyone considering working for this crew. Smile

danshengou

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

What is an SCIC? Guangxi U.? No comprendre,

max71081 · Joined: 05 Aug 2015 Posts: 125

danshengou · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 7:11 pm Post subject:

Google 'catbird scic' and you will find a good blog about the place. She also mentions the unfair workload for the writing teachers. So this isn't a one-off. My guess is that newbies get the writing because the senior teachers get preference. You should tell them up front that you will only take the job if they make you a reading teacher. In then end, if enough people make this request, something will have to change. It seems the best suggestions were either to share the workload or to offer a pay incentive to teach writing.

danshengou · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 7:29 pm Post subject:

Don't let the hyphen in the name fool you. This place doesn't even offer a year contract, just 10 months regardless of whether you renew or not, and most likely as a newbie you'd get the short end of the stick in terms of workload and accommodation. I would only take this job if you don't need money and just want to travel around south China...and can stomach the bad housing and heavy workload. Otherwise, I'd say this is place should definitely be avoided.

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

They will pay on time-and eventually, the correct permits and documents will be obtained. Those are the positives-about the only I can think of...another thing any potential candidates should be aware of is the rather 'brutal' split-shifts that writing teachers face for the spring semester. 8-10 am, followed by 7.30-9.30 pm anybody? That's 2 working days a week....oh well, suppose it allows ample time for all that grading!

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

I agree with the above, pass and nothankyou, don't mind if I don't--much better work conditions to be had elsewhere.

Thanks for the tip about SCIC, Guangxi U., Tazz.

twowheel

danshengou · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 4:42 am Post subject:

Tazz, do you happen to know how much they charge students for tuition there? You said they were mostly rich kids who couldn't get into university. So I imagine they can charge a good amount, especially as a direct feeder school with a guaranteed pass rate.

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

I've no idea of the actual cost but sure that it's a considerable amount per semester.....sure that some of them come from wealthy Chinese families-but also sure that for some, the fees entail a considerable amount of sacrifice from the families to be able to afford it.....the students are committed-it's a 2nd chance for them. Sure that myself and all the staff there always put 100% into the classes we gave, pity that SCIC don't have an equal level of commitment to the people that they hire.

danshengou · Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 2:47 pm Post subject:

astrotrain · Joined: 18 Apr 2013 Posts: 96

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

It's a private business enterprise operating within Guangxi University. It's a Canadian registered company, with it's base in Toronto, I believe. The recruitment is done via a couple of ex-teachers based in Canada-who communicate with the 'International English Department' to provide housing and the processing of documentation-such as Z via and residence permit. The teaching positions [for next academic year] have been regularly advertised here since early December.....in the full knowledge that annually there is such a high turnover-for obvious reasons!

danshengou · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 7:56 am Post subject:

astrotrain · Joined: 18 Apr 2013 Posts: 96

At my old school in was a 10 month contract as well (no pay for summers off) even though salary was higher. If you no work, no pay, if you do work it was at the VIP center.

I think this is common in Guangxi schools not having paid summer offs. I would like to know how common is it, at the high school level @ other schools and provinces for the school to give you summer off with pay?

I figure it was a Chinese couple (ex teachers) that setup the program at Guangxi Uni? Was told by another FT a kid in our international program barely speaking any english going from one course after another failing, year after year would eventually move on to some College or Uni in the West.