Job Discussion Forums

Mary-Debartolo · Posted: Wed May 28, 2003 1:50 pm Post subject: Fountain English School

Hello everyone:

I'm relatively new to this board. I have been reading posts for a while though. I am currently interested in several schools in China. So, I have been doing research and contacting teachers and managers, and even calling the locations of the schools to talk to people. Its been very enlightening to say the least. Another school I am considering is Fountain English School in GuangDong province. I did a search, but could not really find anything on this board. Could some sane ex or current teachers or managers post your thoughts on the area and the school.

Thanks to all.

Mary

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

In a word - underpaid.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Zhuhai is a reasonably beautiful place, not crowded, and quite well-to-do, in Guangdong province, next to Macau. I can recommend the city.

As for the Fountain School, I once was in contact with them, but it was a dead alley. I do not know why it ended as it did. If I remember well, pay is relatively low (was it 4000 for 20 hours a week?).

Mary-Debartolo · Posted: Fri May 30, 2003 3:31 am Post subject:

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

Sorry Mary, what I meant was the pay was low for the type of work and the area. I was in contact with them recently, and they are serious about finding good teachers - they insist on letters of reference and contacting former employers, which is a good sign. Have you checked out their website? The pictures are lovely.

Explorer · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 42 Location: China

It's a professional school with good management under Sam Gross, a supportive and caring British expat well-seasoned in ESL. The reputation is among the very best in Zhuhai and the location is centralized near good shopping, restaurants and transportation. Sorry, but I don't know about teacher housing.

I do know of one teacher at Fountain who is signing up for another year. The others I've seen seem to be quite professional.

Zhuhai offers a good introduction to China. It's not real China, however, as is attested to by low population density, light traffic, clean environment, high percentage of educated residents, etc.

Pay is relatively low because supply (of teachers) is high.

Fountain is a good place to start.

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

Mary,
would it be OK if I send them information discussed confidentially in off-topic posts? What do you think?

MT

Pepsi-Bones · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

As I've mentioned on my posting about Santana, schools like Fountain are being investigated by the Authorities in Zhuhai at the moment.

Stories are legion about how badly staff have been treated by Fountain in the last year or so (deducting wages, flouting contracts etc.) Teachers have posted about there horrendous experiences on www.englishschoolwatch.org

Fountain may have been ok to work at back in 2003 - but the situation as of 2005 is I think very very different.

At present I would not recommend anyone teach at Language Schools in Zhuhai (by this I mean Fountain, Santana, TPR or Oriental). This is not an attack on teachers there - I just think that the risks in working at these places are far too great at the moment.

Pepsi-Bones · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

Whoops, I meant to say *their* horrendous experiences !!

pc-pocket · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 218

Against Roger and Gray000 misleading feedbacks, which under the pretext of knowing it all, as we know them to sponsor their "friends" verbally; yet, following my personal investigation I would not recommend this Scholl to any one, period - !
Their high turnover is due to the fact that they are firing anyone for smiling the wrong side of the mouth� A transparency is not a part of their policy.
And yes, their are under the scope�

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

come on pc-pocket even I'll defend Roger on this one - don't slag folk off for posts they made in 2003 - especially such a polite one where even he acknowledges 4000 is low

pc-pocket · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 218

well.... i did not read the date of their ststments...

Plan B · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 266 Location: Shenzhen

Pepsi-Bones · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 33

Sorry Plan B. I would assume that the authorities will also be looking into GLV and EF. I'm glad that you are happy at Oriental and I hope that they have all their paperwork in order if and when the PSB come calling. Again, I would advise people to think twice about language teaching in Zhuhai - particularly in light of the authorities taking an interest into how all these schools are run and the background of the people they employ.

Plan B · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 266 Location: Shenzhen