Job Discussion Forums

[minna]

Tread lightly, folks. www.chinaesl.com, run by Rebecca Tang, is a very unprofessional organization. Rebecca is a wheeler and a dealer who does anything for the fat check from her clients. Her juicy jobs suddenly disappear: "they just told me no teachers needed." She bad mouths her alma mater, Behishida. And she tells the prospective teacher one thing and her client (school) another thus resulting in contract and/or living problems. She will not meet you at the airport but at the Xidan KFC--and she will be 30 mins late, talking on the phone as if she's terribly, terribly busy a la PR man in "Telephone Booth." She won't pay for your bus ticket from the airport; she won't pay for your overnight stay in a hotel, which just happens to be the hotel in which her 5th floor office is located. She has been in Beijing for upwards of six years and doesn't even know where the (intra-china) bus station is!
minna

[rocketboy]

I've just found this post about ChinaESL. I was considering taking a psition through this women, but after reading this, I'm having doubts
Has anyone had dealings with China ESL or second what minna had to say about China ESL.

Cheers Rocketboy

[clark.w.griswald]

Have you got a link to their website? The one in the original post does not seem to be correct. It takes me to a generic website with google ads but no information about jobs in China nor a recruitment company.

[rocketboy]

Thanks for the reply Clarke.w.g.

I've sent a pm to the poster to find out more about what happen to her.

Can't get their website as well.

I've also done a search in the local Beijing expat magazines and posted a tread, but nothing has turned up yet.

The position she has advertised is what I want anyway, the salary, the location and number of working hours. I have never been screwed before teaching in China, but don't want this to be the first time. Asked her for the contact number of someone(the Chinese Teacher in charge of foreign affairs) at the school twice in the last few days, but she hasn't yet given them to me.

Clarke, I also agree with you, a lot of Chinese don't know much about where things are in their cities. Most folks have never even been out of their cities.

[minna]

Well. . .say what you will. Let's see. . .most recruiters will meet you at the airport, will pay for your hotel--and not take you to a hotel that will charge you more on a deal with, in this case, Rebecca.

You know. . .go ahead and play devil's advocate. Work with her and find yourself looking at more hours and less pay--even after signing a contract. . .for another place. Get the idea?

Would you bad mouth your alma mater? I can say things about my course of study (doctoral level) but I'd not bad mouth the school as, at the time I was there, it was one of the top 10 for theatre.

Keep on keeping on. Yes. If you're running a business that utilizes buses, trains, etc. you damn well better know where the stations are. It's called efficienty and professionalism, perhaps.

If you want to trust yourself, and refer without any first hand knowledge another, to an unreliable individual, please do so by all means.
minna

[clark.w.griswald]

Minna it was just not clear to me why others should be wary of this company. I understand that you were not happy with the services provided, and you have the right to voice your dissatisfaction, but I just wanted to point out for the other person interested in that company that they may want to still consider the company - just exercise care.

[rocketboy]

Well, I've email Rebecca Tang again yesterday requesting more information, but haven't heard from her again yet.

[clark.w.griswald]

[rocketboy]

Well, I think that taking this job isn't a good idea.

As I have received an email from ChinaESL today, what minna has said is starting to make sense.

I asked Rebecca Tang for the contact teacher's phone number at the school and she said "The school person's contact number is not convienent to give you because they didn't pay my introduction fee yet. But you can meet him in Beijing when you arrive". (That made statement made me laugh)

She also stated that when I arrive at the airport, catch the airport bus to Xi dan and wait outside KFC for her. My god!!!!! What if someone didn't know Beijing at all or you have never been to China before, and can't speak the language!!! none of those bus drivers in BJ can speak English. Beijing is a huge city, you would be up the creek without a paddle. Of all the jobs(2) I've had here, someone has always met me at the place of arrival (the Chinese always insist on this, in my experience) and haven't had any problems.

The visa situation.................I won't even bother going there!

[clark.w.griswald]

Agreed that asking teachers to get into town is less helpful than her taking the time to do an airport pickup. At least she tells you upfront however so that you can make the decision to find work elsewhere - which you will apparently be doing.

I can understand her point about not wanting to allow you to contact the school, but she should definitely put you in contact with current or past foreign teachers from the school. I would be very wary about accepting any position for which this was an issue.

Good luck in your job search.

[AnomanderRake]

Rebecca is something other than a recruiter. If you interview with a school through her you can never work for that school! She has teachers sign a contract directly with her, not the school. She takes half your monthly pay and gives no benefits. The contracts state that you can't ever be hired directly by the school and she pays off administration to keep them happy. She is not trustworthy and has been caught in several lies including incorrect pay.