Job Discussion Forums

TESOLman · Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 34 Location: Vancouver, BC

Has anyone heard of this American group or worked for them?

Jazz2000 · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 11 Location: shanghai

HI,

Yeah, I just finished a year long contract with them. I actually stayed for a few extra mobths to help them out over the summer. I've posted about them before and still hold my original opinions.

I would have stayed with the company another year if their setup in Shanghai had been with adults, but at the moment its in a school. I know the head teachers at the Shanghai and Shenzhen branches and they are doing a bloody good job. They have both teachers who resigned after completing a full year. Another taeacher in Shanghai has just resigned for a year and a half.

There were of course problems, but they were always down to communication issues and I was generally happy with how they were solved.

The pay isnt great. In Tianjin (where I was), it was certainly enough. If this is your first time to China then I would definately recomend this company, they will take care of you.

If you have any specific questions just PM me.

NateM · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 358

Is this the same ACES that only pays 2500 per month?

TESOLman · Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 34 Location: Vancouver, BC

Yes, Nate, the same one, but now they offer a whopping 2850RMB/month

NateM · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 358

Yikes.

Mydnight · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:26 am Post subject:

Less than 3000 is insane. That's working for the same salary as some of the Chinese staff in the school. I understand that many people come here for the experience and all that, but sheesh folks, I think you should at least be making 4500 which is the basically the lowest rate that most foreigners should make. Here, if you made less than 4000, it would be difficult to live unless you wanted to live in the ghetto.

TESOLman · Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 34 Location: Vancouver, BC

Today I told ACES I would not accept their offer. When even public institutions offer more than ACES, somethings wrong.

Thanks for the responses to my inquiry.

laska · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 293

Good on you.

The situation in Shanghai: If you are experienced, I think you should be accepting 10,000/month as a minimum for a full-time contract. It goes much higher than that. Shop around and negotiate.

I really don't like to talk about money, but at the same time I think it's important that we band together on this issue.

Public institutions are a whole different ball game. There you should be looking for a good atmosphere, freedom, space, acceptable accommodation, lower teaching hours etc.

Have you thought about coming over on a tourist visa and shopping around in person?

TESOLman · Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 34 Location: Vancouver, BC

Hi Laska:

Yes, I have considered doing that sometime this year, likely in late spring.
Thanks for the suggestion.

mount real · Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

Is a degree necessary if you have 2 year's teaching experience in Korea, say?

Spiderman Too · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:30 am Post subject:

mount real

How did you manage to work for 2 years in Korea without a degree?

mount real · Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 17

My recruiter helped. Wonder if that's possible in China. Thx!

Don McChesney · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 656

It was suggested 'come on a tourist visa'
From my reading of various postings, it is becoming harder and harder to get legit doing it this way, and many provinces will not now allow it.
Also it makes the FAO many more problems unless he/she has good guanxi with the PSB, and things may come unstuck.
If anyone can do it the proper way, ie Z visa first, it does guarantee they get a job on arrival. They also have the approval of the Foreign Affairs Dept. Shocked