Job Discussion Forums

[Luvinlife]

It's me again. I have an additional job offer that I was wondering if anyone can give me any insight on. Good , bad , etc. Has anyone ever heard of this group before.

This is the offer

It is our pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into the UCE (US-CHINA Education and Culture Exchange Center) One year and TESL Summer Program.


The Program is a unique educational experience, which combines teaching English, studying the Chinese language, and taking part in a meaningful cultural exchange. Beside teaching and learning at schools, you will have excursions to Beijing and other cities. Your round-trip ticket from the U.S. to China, in-country transportation in China, room, and board are all covered by the program.

With a fee of $250. And a salary of $4000 RBM a month.

I have one major problem. My teaching location is unknow and I will not know until the end of the month.

Also in the contract it reads " I understand that the placement assignment is subject to changed based on program needs at any time during this period of the program."

I am supposed to send the $250 upfront. Does this sound right?

Please give advice this is my first teaching job and I dont know who to trust.

[Tessio]

I am not exactly sure, but I think that this program does not pay you to teach. It is a cultural awareness exchange.

As for the other program you asked about, I've read that it is legitimate but I do not have any personal knowledge. I am new to this as well, but I suggest that you look at the www.abroadchina.org and www.chinatefl.com websites.

I found my summer job via AbroadChina and then a regular job in September via ChinaTEFL.

If you go this way, you do not have to pay any fees. I am not sure if the fee you mentioned includes airfare to Beijing. If not, then you would spend about $1000 air and $1200 program. You could easily find a job where all you have to do is get to China. I am required to pay my way there, but will receive the money spent at the end of the year. No other fees, except for around $100 for the initial Z visa.

Not that my opinion matters, BUT, if the $1200 includes visa fees, airfare and 3 weeks in Beijing. It sounds good. Have fun.

[Tessio]

I am not sure of your objectives, but if you are interested in teaching in Sichuan Province, famous for its spicy food and Panda Bears, there is a company called Sichuan Ruide. They are listed on ChinaTEFL. They contacted me recently and said that they were going to begin the procedures for placing me in a school for September. I lined something else up, but the point is - they are looking now. Look into it. They do not charge anything for their services. In fact, there are other services known as Recruiters who do not charge any fees to you and you can pick a school/location. I communicated with Angelina's and ESL Consultant, but found my jobs directly without an agent. Also, I'll be earning more than 4k per month. Good Luck.

[Luvinlife]

UCE (US-CHINA Education and Culture Exchange Center) One year and TESL Summer Program.


The Program is a unique educational experience, which combines teaching English, studying the Chinese language, and taking part in a meaningful cultural exchange. Beside teaching and learning at schools, you will have excursions to Beijing and other cities. Your round-trip ticket from the U.S. to China, in-country transportation in China, room, and board are all covered by the program.

With a fee of $250. And a salary of $4000 RBM a month.

I will be receiving a salary and the round-trip airline ticket will be covered by the program.

[tw]

You are going to fork over some hard-earned dough and you don't even know where in God's name they would be putting you? For all we know you could be somewhere in the middle of no man's land. Then there is the "changes" that can take place. Sounds like they are just looking for another sucker. You are better off spending some time and effort and look for a school yourself.

[Norman Bethune]

Employment Rule #1: Never pay to get a job. The Job is supposed to pay you.

[Keath]

Avoid this organization.. I've written volumes about these guys.

[Midlothian Mapleheart]

Edited to remove offensive content.

Middy

[chengdude]

OK, maybe I'm missing something here, but isn't this just a very creative cover for a job recruiter? So creative, in fact, that they are asking you to pay them to do their job and will probably ask the school at which you are placed to do the same.

-Sure, you will be paid 4000RMB a month because that is a common salary for a middle school or a university in China.

-Sure, your roundtrip flight will be taken care of because that is a provision found in many, if not most, contracts.

-Sure your room and board will be provided because everyone provides room and board.

-Sure you will "combine teaching and learning" because many contracts promise those "3 free Chinese classes per week" that everyone wonders what happened to after they arrive. And, of course, you are free to pursue your language study with all your new-found students/language-exchange partners.

-Sure, your in-country transport will be taken care of because that is often covered in a contract -or- the school will be close enough to a major city to simply arrange a car. Besides, you're paying them the equivalent of 2000 RMB...more than enough to get you where you're going.

-Sure you don't know where you will be teaching because the recruiter/"unique educational experience" is shopping you around to schools as we speak.

-Sure, you will "take part in a meaningful cultural exchange" ...part and parcel of teaching abroad, isn't it? Besides, you will probably be asked to "take part in a meaningful cultural exchange" known as English Corner. Or, if your partner in this "unique educational experience" drops the ball, you'll be able to report back here to