Job Discussion Forums

dalong · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 116 Location: China

I want to be situated for my new post at the start of August, so I am looking for one or two or three weeks' work during July. Does anyone know of a decent summer camp or other work to keep me busy during this time?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

Where are you going in August..I just hear of one in Beijing today...

Songbird · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:14 am Post subject:

I'm jumpin' on the bandwagon here too- I wanna summer camp too!

Okay- specs- I'm only available from July 18 and looking for a 3 week MAX camp anytime between July 18 and August 21. I say MAX 3 weeks because I also want to travel and generally have a break as well, I am NOT working the entire holiday. So far I have seen tons and tons of camps offered on various sites, none have been suitable- pay is crap, too long, too hard to get to etc. I did have 1 promising offer in Chengdu, all a goer, then the place mysteriously changed the dates and lowered the pay so I said forget it. I thought that was pretty sus Evil or Very Mad

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Okay, I gotta ask if (and if I don't someone else will) - - why are you looking for a July summer camp position . . . in July!?! I know they've been advertising since May.

Of course, maybe you've been looking since May, but didn't find any you like and now you're scrambling. You may be able to find something, but time's a-wastin'. Most have either started or will start very soon.

Songbird · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:42 pm Post subject:

Hi Kev,

I have been looking for the past couple of months, and most of these camps start too early (like you said, have already started Shocked

) which I could never figure out why- the college/ uni semester is only just finishing up now! Also, (maybe this is a little stupid??) I know that schools are now just starting to panic and scramble looking for teachers, can't fill the positions and therefore upping the pay Cool

....a little risky on my part, but hey!

It's not going to kill me if I don't end up finding one, it's just I have 6 very long weeks on holiday.....and I get bored and into mischief very very easily!!!

dalong · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 116 Location: China

It seems I have to address each of you in turn.

cj750, where I am going in August is irrelevant. Any summer camp should provide a return ticket (plane or train) so I can return to where I am and continue on to my new post from there. In other words, Beijing or any other place is fine. I would much appreciate it if you could provide with any details (including contact details).

Songbird, welcome. If you come across any decent ones, let me know.

kev7161, no I'm not scrambling. I have been flat out searching for a new contract for next (school) year and have now found a very good one. My original plan was to move there now and find some casual work (it's a big city) but, unfortunately, they cannot accommodate me until August 1. So now I am facing a month of no activity if I don't find reasonable summer work, which would drive me (and my wife) crazy (I'm not into travelling just for the sake of it).

Further, I agree with Songbird that there must be some schools/camps that are getting pretty desperate right now, so maybe this is the best time to be finding a school that needs a teacher NOW or next week.

I repeat, much thanks in advance for any leads.

ryleeys · Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Posts: 1101

I know it's late, but I've got work in Guangzhou for anyone this week.

6 days, 21 classes, 3,000rmb.

It's a nice school and I'd do it myself, but I'm too ill.

So, whoever wants it, let me know.

Songbird · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:13 am Post subject:

Hi Dalong,

Glad to hear you found a new contract, hope they're paying ya well Wink

, it's amazing how much salaries have plummeted this year! I'll let you know if I see anything decent- I've been checking here and at the ESL teachers board, well well as the TEFL ChinaJob Yahoo messageboard (not a lot, but occassionally something will be mentioned). Like I said, it's not imperative that I get work over summer but I do get bored very easily, don't think I can travel for 6 weeks straight Cool

Rylees- good luck with finding someone, hope you get well soon Very Happy

!

oiboy · Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Posts: 142 Location: Middle China

Hi Guys,

Any leads would be helpful. I'm currently in An Hui. I flew down here and on day one my camp was cancelled due to poor enrollment. I've been here over the weekend where we met with the parents aand did a Q&A session. I was under the impression that students had already enrolled. The manager of the school has paid me for my travel there and has put my up at a hotel. I'm just stuck with little notice and the positions that I had interest in have been filled. Any advice or leads would be helpful right now. I'm not sure what to do. I will be available till August 19th.

amandabarrick · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 391

Summer Camp in Shanghai, starts July 18th and ends Aug 4th. Total of 13 days of teaching, 4 hours each day, students age 13-17. Salary is 5000 yuan. I am not sure if they still need teachers or not. Call Linda at 0512-6520-8860.

Good Luck!
AB

oiboy · Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Posts: 142 Location: Middle China

Thanks!

She has offered me several jobs. I don't think she likes the colour of my skin though. Holding a Canadian teaching license and a degree does not seem to be help. This is getting to be a bit disheartening.

Mad

Update: She just sent me a message...

"I'm sorry the school needs native speakers"

What the (*&(*& ? I always assumed I was a native speaker. Being born in Canada, English was my first language.

I guess some recruiters would prefer to hire anyone as long as their white regardless of if they are a "native speaker".

Maybe this b*tch is just confused of what a native speaker is.

Sorry for the strong words. I'm not going to put up with this garbage. How the hell does having white skin equate to being a native speaker.

5000 years of history and still developing.

Rolling Eyes

Zanada · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 500 Location: Here

I understand how you must feel. It isn't fair!
I once got a weekend job because the parents at the School complained that the teacher "looked" Chinese.
The person who hired me didn't think it was right either but she had no choice. (The customer's always right.)

Good luck and don't give up

Z

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

I heard a rumour that the government is cancelling some summer camps due to the fact that they say that students are in school too long and they need a break (which is true). I heard this is in Zhejiang. Anyone else hear anything?

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898