Job Discussion Forums

keep_on_J · Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 28

The following is a summary of my work experience at Xi'an Bo-ai International school.

They hired me as their sole foreign teacher even though I didn't have any EFL training or teaching experience. I was payed 3000Y a month plus $500 for my flight and also recieved free room and board. In my contract I was promised 2 guided trips a week to the numerous tourist sites around Xi'an, but it was such a hassel to get the school to organize these tours that I ended up going on only five over the whole seven months I was there. It took about the whole seven months for me to become comfortable in my classroom. The students were unmotivated and difficult to control. They viewed Oral English class as a time for fun in their otherwise busy day. As their teacher, it was difficult for me to have fun with them, and it was also difficult for me to have fun with my coworkers. They liked to speak with me but few seemed interested in developing friendships or even in hanging out off campus. Just outside campus is a village which was fun to visit for a haircut, it's market, or some tasty noodles. All around the village I heard mostly Shaanxi Hua. There is an hour long bus route into Xi'an, where most people speak Mandarin.

hope this helps anyone considering teaching at the above mentioned school.

by the way, should I be posting a school review here, or is there a special place for such things.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

You know you didn't get that bad a deal, really; the word "warning" is inappropriate!
First of all, you were treated fairly judging by your own story; no rip-off, no shortchanging, no working to the bones.
The rest of your wailings is run-of-the mill observations; if you had the relevant training as a teacher you might be better able to handle such issues.
Be grateful you lasted long enough!

Besides, your employer took you out several times; this is not his duty, believe me! My university invites its teachers for an excursion about once a semester!

keep_on_J · Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 28

so why did you introduce the word "warning"?

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

I beleave the warning would be to indicate that this school is on the low in of the pay scale and is located in a regon where communication is difficult and the local supply of fun depends on small village/town action such as grabbing a bowl of noodles...in other word boring..a post that serves to let furture FT applying for a job in this school know of the isolation that awaits..no small consideration...By the way...Wikipedia does not have a listing for "warning"... yet,...... someone better get busy

myesl · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:11 pm Post subject:

Don't mind my dear friend, Roger. He's paid by the CCP to harass anyone who doesn't write a glowing report of their time in China. You were right to post what you did. Just because some people choose to put up with the many hassles here and say they don't mind, doesn't mean you have to or that you can't warn others (even if the word 'warn' was introduced by a later poster).