Job Discussion Forums

Backchannel Veteran · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 5

Hey, guys anyone heard of them? I am about to sign a contract and would appreciate any info on whether these guys are good and reputable or more in the gray area of the market. The recruitment officer sounds nice and professional, although... you know... By the way, what is the cost of living and rent like in Shengzhen?

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

BCV, You sound like a novice ready to get reamed.

How could you be "about ready to sign a contract" and have not thoroughly checked them out?

Backchannel Veteran · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 5

What I meant is that I am considering it an option but I got a couple of other offers in case something looks fishy. Anything concrete about English Me, Shenzhen in general, though?

Giantbudwiser · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 4:33 am Post subject:

Shenzhen is an expensive place to live, for example a 2 bedroom apartment there is gona cost from 3000 to 5-6000 per month. Here in western china its just as good and more foreigner friendly and its gona cost you from 700-1500. English me�lol what a corny name. Do you have to make an L shape with your fingers and put it on your forehead as a salute when you walk into their office?

T_Lanc · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 63 Location: China

A leopard simply can't change it's spots!

Recently, Simon Delahaye (a.k.a. Giantbudwiser) solicited and received advice (and a great deal of compassion, sympathy and understanding) under his thread "Chengdu airport security SHOT MY DOG!!! ADVICE PLEASE".

Now, he reverts to his usual personality and posts a worthless, unhelpful & unwarranted response on Backchannel Veteran's request for advice.

Any (crazy) person thinking about working for Simon's employer, Wancheng International (where he is the so-called Foreign Teacher's manager), can expect similar responses to his/her requests for work-related assistance.

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

The contract will be more or less meaningless and subject to only THEIR interpretation as they see fit; that's assuming they're typical and that includes about 90% of all Chinese schools with the private operations being much worse than the public ones.

Ask them for the phone or email address of a former teacher. See how they respond to that -- it should tell you a lot. They may say it's a privacy issue and if they do that ask if an FT now employed can email you or call you collect.

I agree. The name is horrid and to me names can tell you a lot. For example, the fetid chain called English First seems to actually be Teachers Last.

How long have they been in business? I've never heard of them.

Good luck and walk softly............

NateM · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 358

Since you don't seem to be getting any concrete answers here, there's a couple of other places you might want to try.

http://www.Shenzhenpeople.com
http://www.Shenzhenparty.com

They don't have forums here, but they do have classifieds, there's also a couple of staff listed there who might know something about the schools. Also the TEFLChina Mentor's list, (http://www.teflchina.org/jobs/mentors/list.html) has a couple of people listed for Shenzhen, (although not for this particular school). You might want to contact them to see if anyone has heard of the school.

tradinup · Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Shenzhen, China

i live and work in shenzhen so take for what its worth.

Rent is not as bad as said... 1br in highrises can be found for 2000-2500 and 2 and 3br for 2500-3000 in good areas.

You dont need to sign a contract before you come, come here with a 2 or 3 month visitor visa and visit a bunch of places.

Why dont you say anything about what the salary is and hours? how can we tell you if its good or not without that. If you take a full time job here for less than 8000 not including housing allowance/apartment you are missing out...

insideout · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 6 Location: Shenzhen, China

I just got a contract from them and it's real dogdgy, illegal too Idea

. I hit them with some response questions. They look like a Mickey Mouse operation. Don't jump in on tyhis one until I get a real response.

tamil_tiger_II · Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 56

I looked at their ad, but it seems there is no housing provided, only help with housing. What the hell. Shenzhen is a sleaze den and not particularly interesting. After you pay for rent you may have just 4500-5000 in hand. Why not teach elsewhere for that much. There are other schools that pay 6-7,000 with housing in the area. Tell them to English off.

insideout · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 6 Location: Shenzhen, China

The pay is 9000 a month. They may or may not help with finding and aprtment, and no subsidy for the rent etc. All responsibilities of the contract are for the teacher, none for the school. No mention of Visa. Instant dismissal afte three warnings if late for class and money penalty. I really can't get their pointof view because I can't get my head my bum that far.