Job Discussion Forums

anonio · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 8

Does anyone have any experience with this program ( http://www.china-program.com/ ) or know anyone that does?

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

Never heard of the program - but 4000/15 contact hours in Shenzen is hardly up to the pay rate you can expect there - maybe a good experience, but you will be underpaid!!!

anonio · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 8

what kind of pay should i expect with no experience or TEFL certificate? (I do have a B.A. at least)

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

In an expensive city like shenzen at least 6000 for around 15 hours and accom seems a modest reachable goal for a newbie.

4000 is the kind of wage you would expect in a more exciting backwood location - although there are many who put up with this kind of money.

By the way maybe the program is a fantastic experience and joining it will be worth giving up a larger wage - but I doubt it, looks like just common FT work to me - many other jobs also offer some mandarin and its easy to find cheap teachers if they don't. You contacted any FT's who have worked for this outfit?

jotto · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Happy Everyday!

I can't offer any advice about the program you are talking about. However, take a look at www.shenzhenparty.com in the jobs and languages section. You will be able to find a better paying job through this website. Maybe not better quality as Vikdk stated but I don't know what type of job you want. There are several English First, Com-Com and Wall Street English franchise schools around too.

Kurochan · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 944 Location: China

I came to China on this program six years ago, and I'm still waiting for the TEFL certificate I was supposed to receive.

I don't know who will be running the program this time, or if it will even be associated with University of Memphis, but the guy in charge when I was there didn't want to be there, didn't want to do his job, didn't like China, and made no bones of the fact that he didn't like Chinese people (especially Cantonese people). Another thing to watch out for was the guy seemed to place black teachers in schools with chronic problems or schools that were furthest away from the city center.

I'd say at least half of the fifty students I went with were dissatisfied with the program, and a few talked about trying to start a lawsuit against U. of Memphis.

wetwet · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Beijing, China

I am considering joining this program. Despite the fact I understand 4000RMB/mo is not competitive w/ my credentials (degrees & 3 years exp. teaching ESL in an inner-city high school)

Here's why:
*I do not speak chinese, have never been there
*70+hrs a week, so I have limited time to research alternatives
*have worked my *ss off (seriously, ask my proctologist!) the past few years, so I only need enough $RMB to live well while I am there; no need to save!
*need a program I can rely on (for visas, housing, paycheck, etc)

Does this sound like sound logic??? Are there other ways to satisfy all these aspects, yet command a stronger pay (like 6000RMB/mo).

Anyone have any advice on the Memphis Program or other well-structured programs? I have already checked out some websites (shenzhenparty.com, jobsabroad, worldteach, umich int'l center, etc)
but I am looking for something dependable (I am very much a newbie).
I am still looking for some solid leads

Question

Thank you in advance...