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GS1981
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Posts: 20
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 Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 3:22 pm Post subject: Help a newbie: Job offered in Ankang: advice please?? |
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Hi,
I'm pretty new to all this, but I would appreciate some advice from those with more experience. I have been offered a Job to teach in Ankang in Shaanxi province, ages 10-12 for four months. The pay is about 4800RMB/month (accomoodation all inclusive), and I get a reimbursement for air travel (3600RMB) at the end of the contract.
However, the contract is with Owen Buckland, yes I have done a search, but I am actually looking for feedback from people who have taught in this city or actually completed a contract with Buckland. I'm not really interested in hearsay, only actual experiences and so forth. I have asked for contact details of a person who has taught there before, still waiting to hear back. I am worried that accomodation in Ankang may not be up to much, at least not what was offered in the contract..
Also, I have been asked to take hard copies of my certificates (CELTA, MA, BA) with me: is that standard practise?
Please don't flame me for being a newbie!
Ta! |
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tw
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
Posts: 3898
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| Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:55 pm Post subject: Re: Help a newbie: Job offered in Ankang: advice please?? |
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| GS1981 wrote: |
| Also, I have been asked to take hard copies of my certificates (CELTA, MA, BA) with me: is that standard practise? |
No it is definitely not. Scan your certificates and make photocopies. Tell them you can not and will not risk losing or damaging them. I think the employer might want to scan them, store them on their computer, and tailor them to appear to be certificates for other job applicants who are far less qualified than you are. |
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Steppenwolf
Joined: 30 Jul 2006
Posts: 1769
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:43 am Post subject: |
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I don't know your particular would-be employer but I visited An'kang many years ago and I also know Buckland.
As for the town, it's ideal for westerners who want to get the feel of small-town China. An'kang is not a very touristy place but it has charms few other towns have: an existing old town wall, several mosques and a number of old and quaint buildings. The natives are friendlier than they tend to be in Xi'an. I visited a Chinese English teacher there and she and many folks gave me an unusually warm welcome!
As for Buckland, they have one of the best organisations in China and the least tarnished reputation of all agents. The school you are going to work for has to ensure you get your dues, and believe me, 4800 is quite a decent pay!
Good luck |
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GS1981
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the responses
tw> I figured as much, thanks for confirming my suspicions! |
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Girl Scout
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Inbetween worlds
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| Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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I have been asked to take hard copies of my certificates (CELTA, MA, BA) with me: is that standard practise?
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I have to diagree with tw.
| Quote: |
| No it is definitely not. Scan your certificates and make photocopies. Tell them you can not and will not risk losing or damaging them. I think the employer might want to scan them, store them on their computer, and tailor them to appear to be certificates for other job applicants who are far less qualified than you are. |
This is the same thing the government thinks of you. From personal experience, I know that there are many schools that WILL require the originals. I have met teachers have have faked their diplomas only to be caught part-way through their contract and fired. People at my first job were required to have theirs shipped from their home countries. The school would not process their applications without the original.
Besides, saying that you can not risk loosing or damaging them is a bunch a whiney crap. They are just pieces of paper. Take them and be careful who you give them to. |
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JordanClary
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:38 am Post subject: |
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"Besides, saying that you can not risk loosing or damaging them is a bunch a whiney crap"
It is not a bunch of whiny crap. This is China. Petty theft is rampant. If you're from the US it is expensive and not easy to get dublicates if you lose them. I know because when I came over here I couldn't find my M.A. degree. I got it years ago and never needed it in the US.
And why are so many of you people so rude and caustic on this site? The person asked a reasonable question. Can't you give an answer without putting them down?
Signing out and now I know why it's been a year since I logged onto Dave's. You can answer this post or not. I guarantee it'll be another year before I sign onto this site again. |
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cj750
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
Posts: 3081
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:46 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
This is the same thing the government thinks of you. From personal experience, I know that there are many schools that WILL require the originals. I have met teachers have have faked their diplomas only to be caught part-way through their contract and fired. People at my first job were required to have theirs shipped from their home countries. The school would not process their applications without the original.
Besides, saying that you can not risk loosing or damaging them is a bunch a whiney crap. They are just pieces of paper. Take them and be careful who you give them to.
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I have worked for international schools as well as Foreign Universities..and have never had to produce an original..which would be no good anyway..for documentation..a sealed transcript would be the only proof accepted...the originals can be faked so easy and it is necessary to receive the transcript to validate a diploma..
No only that but some folks are faced with Chinese trying to keep to control..I know of a woman in Dalian who will take the originals and keep them..this is what is taking place now..I hope in the future I can publish who this woman-is...but if in Dalian and working for a woman, Chinese with Japanese ties, careful and do not under any circumstance...give anyone your originals... |
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GS1981
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 9:34 am Post subject: |
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In any case, I had a response today, saying that it is fine to bring photocopies in place of originals, the main problems were over faxed copies being unclear.
One solution offered was that if it was a major problem, you could always get a photocopy in a legal office and then have it notarised (witnessed by a lawyer) which counts the same as the original certificate in a court of law.
OK!  Thanks for responses, everybody just chill out a bit!! 
Next question: does anybody know anything about the postal system in China? how reliable is it? I am thinking of sending some books out ahead of me as I don't want them weighing down my luggage. Is this a sensible idea? By books I mean my TEFL resource books (pronunciation/grammar games, newspapers, etc.)
EDIT: I just found this thread on the Chinese postal service but it's over a year old, anybody have any different experiences lately |
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