Job Discussion Forums

enigma · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 68

Sorry to make my first post on the board a "what's-this-school-like" post, but I'm really hoping someone here will have some information on this school. I have an offer from them that looks legit, but anything you can tell me would be helpful. This is my first job in China, so I am doing all the research I can and I don't want to walk into a trap. Thanks.

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

So is there a Dalian Technical Normal Maritime Railway University??? I will work there free if there is.

Sorry enigma but I guess nobody knows.

klasies · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 178 Location: China

Mystery person

I have two sons teaching in Dalian. Under normal circumstances(No Corona Virus) it would be a good place to go to, because if the Uni didn't work out there are plenty of places that you could get a position!!!!! But at the moment.......................!!!!!!
I have no info on the University, but I have not heard anything bad neither. Try to get the e-mail of teachers working there and talk to them. If they don't want to supply that info to you, then be carefull......spells danger, methinks!
I have seen their website and it seems pretty good. Hey, take the chance and pull in cousin, even if you do get burnt, it is all part of the 'Chinese Experience,' learn from it and don't make the same mistake next time!

Andre

travesty21 · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 56

I am living in Dalian right now. I also got an offer from Dalian Railway Institute and am not sure if I want to take it. By the way how much are they offering you in terms of pay? I was offered around 3000RMB for 14-16hrs a week. I would not be teaching there for the money, but for the type of students you get to teach. The University seems nice it is close to downtown and is in a new area of Dalian near the Carrefour. The woman who I spoke with and went to see is nice and they were willing to work with me. They have many foreign teachers there right now and I think for a University it would be decent. Only problem is when you are planning to go. Right now all universities are closed off and all foreign teachers as well as students are not allowed off campus. This could change in the next month, 2 months, 3 months, who knows?

enigma · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 68

That is interesting, travesty21. They have offered me 6000RMB for "up to 25 teaching hours" per week. I like the pay, but had been hoping for something with fewer hours, as it is my first teaching job in China and I want to have some personal time to get my bearings and get to know the area, at least at first. So I am considering this job, but looking at others as well. By the way, do any experienced teachers want to tell me if 25 hours/week feels like too much, or if it's doable? I put a lot of energy into the music classes that I teach now, and it would be a shame if I were working too many hours to perform at my best. Any thoughts?

travesty21 · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 56

That is interesting! I was offered to teach 14-16 hours a week for about 3000RMB, so you would be working almost double the hours and it sounds like you are a teacher already, so I can possibly see why they are offering you the 6000RMB. As for the 25 hours a week compared to 15 hours a week. I feel it depends on who you teach, ie if you teach children who don't care about english then 25 hours is too much. I worked 25-28 hours a week and didn't mind it, but it did not allow me a ton of free time. Dalian Railway Institute said in there posting for new teachers that you could work 14-16 hours a week and "Extra fee will be provided for those who want more classes in their spare time." Perhaps you should consider starting on with the part time hours and if you want more you could possibly get them. Just a thought.

Gray000 · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 183 Location: A better place

Enigma - Check your offer again...

You will be working AT Dalian Railway University, but FOR the America-China (beijing) whatever company.

These guys have not responded to my email questions! I got an offer too, quite an attractive one for a no-guanxi position in Dalian, but if they can't be bothered to respond I can't take it seriously. Did you find out any specifics about the accomodations etc? And scheduling, and if the position is teaching at multiple campuses or only one?

Also, if you have a contact number for the HR dept, I'd appreciate your pming me w/it.

Maybe I'll see ya there too! Dalian is a great place.

Gray

enigma · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 68

Yes, you're right - they call it a joint venture between the America-Asian (Beijing) Science & Education Center and the Dalian Railway University. Apparently they offer bus transportation for teachers between the 4 campuses (could be a pain). The details I know about the accommodation are only what was in the contract: "High standard housing free of charge with heating, air conditioner, television, furnished bedroom, sitting Room, bathroom, access to cooking facilities, Internet, etc." Should I be asking for more detail than this? And I don't have a phone number. They have been answering my emails, but taking their time about it. By the way, are they asking you to commit by June 1 as well?

travesty21 · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 56

I think that you both would be working for the joint venture and that Dalian Railway Institute has no say in your housing and many other things. You would be living off campus and that means you are definitely not hired directly by the Institute. When I talked to them they told me of some teachers living off campus and getting a salary through another company that hired them. But they insisted I live on campus because they were hiring me directly.
I would say be careful, but I also don't think it would be a bad deal. Of course being shuttled from one campus to the next would get old really fast and you can definitely find a job that is more suitable to you and would not have you running around.

Owen · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2003 2:28 am Post subject:

Sorry if I am too late in this reply, but all the flaming before Dave made the changes turned me off and I stopped even reading the board until now.

Stay away from these clowns! They suckered me while I was teaching in higher ed in the US and the still owe me a couple of thou US. They contacted a Chinese professor from Dalian who was well connected in China and on an exchange program in the US to help them establish connections in the US higher ed community. He passed it on to me (former classmates). I made the contacts, arraigned the meetings, even drove their president around and took care of all the arraignments while they were first in the US. They totally stiffed me. Never paid a dime. They then had the nerve to contact me last year and ask me to teach for them! Turns out that they real purpose of the visit was for him to see his son and daughter who were studying in America.

I was teaching in Dalian last year and was able to find out that they have a bad rep locally as well as being a bunch of crooks.

MartinK · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 344

enigma · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 68

Thanks, Owen. I decided on another job anyway. I'm going to Linyi!