Job Discussion Forums

scott1618 · Joined: 07 Aug 2015 Posts: 5

If you are in China, you can get a bank account with a passport. This is my limited experience. For the record, I do not know the options for this company to pay its teachers. I was simply told that you'd be paid by bank transfer.

blackman75 · Joined: 17 Aug 2015 Posts: 25

foxman09 · Joined: 19 Aug 2016 Posts: 3

Hey guys. In case anyone sees an advertisement to work for DaDaAbc for $20 an hour, don't bother. Great platform and the employees I spoke with were great but there is a huge problem with their contract.

If you make 1 wrong move you are at risk of losing LOTS of money. In the contract you will see all of the things that can cost you 240 RMB per hour (about $36/hour) or even 20% of your ENTIRE MONTH'S SALARY if you are caught eating any food. Wow. Basically most of the contract is about all of the ways they can deduct HUGE amounts of pay for infractions that are even very minor. I don't know if this is standard practice for working in China but I'm assuming $20+/hr advertisements is their way to attract teachers and then hope teachers will still sign up despite the very high likelihood you will have a few deductions every month and you'll only end up earning $12-$15 an hour or losing your month's salary if you have to quit on short notice. I'm not a lawyer but I'm positive this contract wouldn't hold up in most courts in Western countries.

Here is a link to their contract:
https://www.scribd.com/document/321686334/DaDaABC-Contract

I was skeptical from the start but I had spare time to go through the interview process and get my hands on the contract. They didn't offer to let me see it until after 3 or 4 steps into the process (2-3 weeks of various meetings and practice classes). Don't waste your time with them.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 1:41 am Post subject: Re: dadaabc

CNexpatesl · Joined: 27 May 2015 Posts: 194

What are their hours like during weekdays? Evenings after 6pm? 6pm - 9pm?

theteateacher · Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Posts: 6

Hey everyone, I've been working at DadaABC for a few months now so I thought I'd throw my two cents in - Here's how I see it

Pros

- PAY - The pay was the highest I could find for any online company, after some negotiation I got $25US (150RMB)/hour, but it is based on experience

- SHORT CLASSES - regular classes are only 30 mins and trial classes are 14 mins, so it's over and done pretty quick.

- OWN HOURS - There are set hours to choose from (Evenings during the week, mornings on the weekend (Shanghai Time)) but you can choose to work as little or as much as you want

-50% PAY IF NO CLASS - during your set hours if you don't have class, you still get 50% of your pay, although personally my schedule filled up right away

-MATERIAL - the company provides it's own software that acts as a virtual textbook. It's not the best, but I've also seen worse. Either way I do absolutely no prep time before class, I don't even have to preview the material.

Cons

-THE PENALTIES - Every time you mess up they fine you, and the fines can add up pretty quickly. Be 10 minutes late for a class and you're basically teaching the rest of the class for free. If you miss the whole class, then not only will you not get paid for that class but they'll take an additional fine out of your paycheck. It compounding so it adds up pretty quick.

-TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES - as we all know sometimes your internet cuts out and there's nothing you can do about it. Well they consider this to be your fault and they'll penalize you for it. I find it acceptable however because of their high wages and the fact that these outages are fairly rare for me, but if your internet connection isn't stable, then it's going to be more trouble than it's worth

- LOOK PROFESSIONAL - for me this is a no-brainer, but I think they've had big problems in the past with teachers eating during class, teaching in their pajamas, teaching while laying in bed, being on their phone during the lesson, etc. All of these will get you penalized.

Overall, while not the best company to work for, I've had no major complaints. Just be on time and be professional and it's an easy paycheck. Sure it's frustrating when you get penalized for things that are beyond your control, but hopefully these are rare if you have a good internet connection.

Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

Here's the link if you're interested -
https://www.DaDaABC.com/teacher/job/r8J9p0q005/
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Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Thanks teateacher. I've got nothing against professionalism.
-TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES - as we all know sometimes your internet cuts out and there's nothing you can do about it. Well they consider this to be your fault and they'll penalize you for it. I find it acceptable however because of their high wages and the fact that these outages are fairly rare for me, but if your internet connection isn't stable, then it's going to be more trouble than it's worth

I note on the company site they recommend if in doubt use a hard wire from router to computer. That is ditch the wireless set up.
Anyone had this problem?
Did a wire fix it?

LongShiKong · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 1082 Location: China

The higher pay and professional expectations seems to explain why it has such a much larger percent of foreign web traffic than its much larger competitor:

http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/dadaabc.com#trafficstats
http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/vipkid.com.cn#trafficstats

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

"I note on the company site they recommend if in doubt use a hard wire from router to computer. That is ditch the wireless set up. Anyone had this problem? Did a wire fix it?"

I think this is based on the fact that the Chinese are way behind the times as usual. Wireless protocols are very stable now. The only online schools in general that are so insistent on wired connections are Asian, in particular the PRC and Vietnam.

Nice guy and his girlfriend moved next to me last week here in Merida, Mexico. He has been with Tutor 123 out of Taiwan for three years. He had a problem connecting and support blamed it on the city. LOL Some of the best Internet in Mexico now. Chinese tech guy recommended he move to another city. So he did and lost three months rent! LOL

Thanks for the good and balanced review on this company!

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

The penalty clause for interrupted lessons is harsh.

theteateacher · Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Posts: 6

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Thanks for that teateacher.
My connection is currently failing the upload speed but well exceeding the download. I'll get my tech guy in and he can also advise re wire.
It may be that my wireless router needs upgrading. I think it came in a cereal packet.
Best

theteateacher · Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Posts: 6

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Thanks again.
I'm not sure what guarantees my ISP has re upload but the techie will come tomorrow and will sort it hopefully.
My connection drops out all to frequently so we can look at that.
One I'm reasonably sure the IT details are OK I can address the actual job application, including the demo.
Best