Job Discussion Forums

entrynmbrv · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge of the Number One English Training Center in Dongguan. Aparently, it's a new private training center run by Americans, and I'm having a hard time finding any information about them.

Also, anyone in Dongguan who can tell me what it's like to live there?

Thank you for your help.

Ferne · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 177 Location: GZ

entry,

Dongguan is an amply spread-out factory city comprised of several districts; do you know where in Dongguan this school is located? The two main districts that make out the actual, 'nicer' city center are Dongcheng and Nancheng - if you end up anywhere else in Dongguan, well, it can take you up to two hours on the bus bus just to get from one end of the city to the center where the better shopping, food and nightlife is. Otherwise, Dongguan is its factories, restless, filthy, dodgy, unsafe, not very educated, and greedy. And most teachers I have met here who work at schools and training centers spend most of their time running after their pay, which is ridiculously low. In Dongguan, it's best to be an independent teacher. People here do have a lot of money that they are willing to put into English, but the market is tight and you really have to know how to sell yourself to the local market. For an experienced and realistic perspective of life as an ESL teacher in Dongguan, you should pm Mydnight; maybe he knows the place you are taking about.

entrynmbrv · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5

Thanks Ferne.

The school is located in Huang Jiang town, which, aparently isn't the center of the world, but very near a train station.

This school has posted often here on Dave's but is very new, and I am finding it difficult to find any information on them.

Mydnight · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:14 pm Post subject:

There a million and a half training centers in Dongguan. All of them are filled with lying scum that only want to use you to make a buck and don't care a ratzazz about Education.

I put it to you this way. DON'T EVER COME HERE...EVER. GO TO GUANGZHOU OR SHENZHEN. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T COME HERE AND GET STUCK IN THE MIRE LIKE THE REST OF US.

Huangjiang is a dump. It is more than half an hour from the train station in a which is of little use to you. Public transport around Dongguan is inefficient and dangerous, so I wouldn't advise it unless you are strong and vigilant enough to be able to handle yourself.

Ferne · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 177 Location: GZ

Yes, Huangjiang would be halfway between Shenzhen and DG city center out in the Dongguan boonies. Don't know about a train station there. Have you contacted the school itself yet to find out more about who the "two Americans" are and get an inital feel for the place? Maybe then it would be easier to get more information because I really haven't heard about that school before; it seems like they haven't advertised on any other platforms besides Dave's. But personally I think, if it's so hard to find any (independent) information on the place, then maybe it's not worth researching any further. It might also mean that it's a new outfit, not established...and prone to problems.

And yeah, as Mydnight already mentioned...of all the places in China, why come to Dongguan to teach? Of course it depends on your motivation but there's not even a cultural life here or much to do in your spare time. And you WILL want to do something else besides standing in the classroom all day after a while. For learning Chinese (well, at least Putonghua), you almost couldn't do worse. Unless you are absolutely sure, have a GREAT offer financially and feel comfortable with your future employer, I also wouldn't recommend Dongguan as a place to teach ESL or get immersed in the Chinese culture.

Mydnight · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:15 pm Post subject:

Train Station is in Changping which borders Huangjiang. It is still about 45 to an hour away from there.

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

Although I am not the OP, I would like to thank all of the posters here on this thread. I had been offered a university position in the Dongguan area and in spite of the fact that I live in GZ, I was not at all familiar with it.

Your postings helped me make up my mind -- very definitely -- and I thank you again. It all sounds rather grim to me, to tell the truth.

HFG

Ferne · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 177 Location: GZ

Hello HFG,

yeah it is rather grim Wink

GZ is definitely not worth leaving for Dongguan, so a wise choice on your part. Good luck with everything,

Ferne

Mydnight · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:39 pm Post subject:

georginachina · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 193

This job is advertised on "China Connexions" a reputable recruitment company. I would suggest you have a look at their website.
http://www.thechinaconnexion.com/vacancies_detail.php?recordID=25&school=450
DongGuan is stinking hot and humid in Summer, but you get used to it.
I considered applying for this position, but then I noticed they only want USAnians. Elitist pricks!!

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

mondrian · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 2:57 am Post subject:

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

georginachina · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 193