Job Discussion Forums

Aphrodite#5 · Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 49 Location: Hangzhou

Has anyone heard of Greentown school in Hangzhou? It's relatively new, and looks like a great institution, but I was wondering if ya'll have heard anything negative or positive about it. I am going through Footprints Recruiting Inc., and they've corresponded with Greentown a couple of times, but I want to know what I'm dealing with here. Thanks!

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Aphrodite#5 · Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 49 Location: Hangzhou

[/quote]When you say "new", do you mean a new campus or a new school? If it's a new school, how new is new? If it's just a few months old, then they are not legally allowed to hire new FT's.[/quote]

I was browsing through their profile in Chinatefl.com, and I think the school started in 1992. As for the campus in Hangzhou, I'm not sure. If you know anything about the school specifically, I would appreciate the insight. Thanks! [/quote]

gulam2 · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 137

I visited this school which was brand new (two years ago)
It has a relationship with the (so called) University in Australia called Monarch. (look out for the mail on that one!!!!)
I was not impressed by the man in charge. (He is still there but I have misplaced his name). His English was good but he came across as arrogant and condescending.
Also the school is a little out of town and taxis are expensive in Hangzhou.
I would need a good salary to work there.
Contact me by pm if you like.

Mephisto · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 27

Hello Gulam,
are you sure the Aussie Uni wasn't Monash? That is quite a good institution, I hear. Anyway, I'm personally still in the contract deliberation stage, so my input into anything Chinease is worthless and untrustworthy, which means that I'm not either endorsing or bashing any Chinease English school as I'm not even in that country yet.
Cheers to all,
Mephisto

Aphrodite#5 · Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 49 Location: Hangzhou

The address lists the school to in Hangzhou...is this not correct? Anyway, I haven't gotten a contract yet, but it looks like they'll be offering between 5500-7000 RMB per month, plus airfare reimbursement, and an extra 1500 RMB per month for an apartment. I believe there is also a bonus when the year is completed. Also, the Australian school they are affiliated with is called Monash. Anyone find any problems with that? Let me know what you think or what you've heard. Thanks a lot!!!

gulam2 · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 137

Yes, sorry, Monash.
Salary sounds OK, though you may have difficulty getting an apartment
(reasonable standard) in Hangzhou for that amount.
I did not like the guy and I certainly would not trust him. But note: I would trust very few in China - I have had so many bad experiences.
Ask for the e-mail address of some of the teachers already there that is always a good tactic.
gulam2

Aphrodite#5 · Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 49 Location: Hangzhou

You would go as far to say that you didn't like him? I think the coordinators names are Amy and Frank, but I'm not sure if Frank is th guy that you met. Also, they (of course) seemed to think that 1500RMB would be plenty to get a nice apartment there, but that's not so? Where can I find out what the going rate for apartments is these days in Hangzhou? I know that the program I am going through is dealing with this school for the first time, so I guess in the event that I'm offered the contract, I'll ask the school for email addresses of former teachers. Thanks fr your help and any more suggestions that you may have.

gulam2 · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 137

Yes Frank was the guys name.
I think a reasonable apartment would cost at least 2000 Rmb a month.
But I am not sure about that, as I lived in Yiwu in Zhejiang.
You could e-mail Noelle.
In Yiwu you also had to pay rent "one year in advance" not an easy thing to do.

gulam2 · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 137

Yes Frank was the guys name.
I think a reasonable apartment would cost at least 2000 Rmb a month.
But I am not sure about that, as I lived in Yiwu in Zhejiang.
You could e-mail Noelle.
In Yiwu you also had to pay rent "one year in advance" not an easy thing to do.