Job Discussion Forums

[powderfinger303]

I posted this on the off-topic forum, but in the end I guess it is job-related. So here 'ya go.

Hi, I came across this web site: WWW.VIPLILY.COM while looking for apartment details in Shanghai (I am not in Shanghai yet). This seems to be a company, which, among other things--and for a fee, offers a service that helps match up native English speakers with host families to live for free in exchange for English lessons every week. The site itself does not look too professional but I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of this or of something similar. I would especially love to hear from anyone that has any experience with this.

Scam? Thoughts?

Thanks,

[Anda]

Um, without going to the site I'd say beware as I tried this in South Korea a few times and found it to be a no go! If you are a student here then yes give it a try but there are plenty of jobs that supply you with accommodation where you can relax after work and do your own thing. A room somewhere is worth one or two hundred RMB a month which is equal to two hour of paid private teaching. Your home stay will probably want one or two hours each night, so go figure!

[vikuk]

Scam or no scam - living in with a Chinese family who expected you to give them free-English lessons!!!!!
my initial reaction on how I would cope with that situation - well taking into regard my experiences of the ways that the average Chinese family might want to test my concepts of social privacy - imagining how they might want to show me off to all their neighbors and friends (their loa wai pet) - thinking about how �just� living together with that special Chinese person you love can sometimes turn into conflicts of cultural collision (jeez what would it be like if you had to live Cheek to jowl with them you really couldn't get on with) - thinking about the levels of noise pollution an average Chinese family emits (those soaps at high volume - that awful pop music - gawd I just hope they aint into home karaoke) - the number of family members packed into the smallest space possible and how much space would I really get (even the rich often live in large extended family units with country relatives often in town for long visits) - the list could go on and on -
ohhh that initial reaction must be something along the lines of - arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
But on second thoughts -
what an interesting experiment - I'd love to see the TV series that it should generate - but taking part - I don't think it would suite your Mr. Average from back home.

[Anda]

Um, I lived in one rabbit worren in South Korea! It was like main street at rush hour. Another place was; "What's he doing here"? In other words things had never been talked over before I arrived on the invite of one family member. Another place was hell on earth with mother going off her head, at her lazy son because he wouldn't study, at all hours of the day and night. Yep fun!

[Katja84]

Did you notice there is a one-time placement fee of 200-650 USD? That plus demanding 5-6 hours of teaching a week (which would quite likely be upped to 10 at a minimum). I'd say stay well clear of anything that costs that much and also works with things like matching Chinese wives for rich Westerners...

I'd be very curious to try out something similar though... I've lived in host families elsewhere (including a year in the US) and it really is the best way to get to know a country. The problems vikuk describes you may find anywhere, and though I don't doubt it must be more difficult in China, it would certainly be an interesting experience.... I had a homestay at one point for just a few weekends, and would have loved to stay for longer periods with them, so there must be good families out there... Let me know if you find something similar but a bit more serious

[InTime]

Pending the response of folks w/direct hands-on experience, my advice is also "Xiao Xin." Beware.

Ask them for Emails of satisfied foreigners,

They also describe a "Chinese-English Corner"...I wrote them twice and no response.

RE: rooms/shared apts. in Shanghai...check out www.thatsshanghai.com
"SHARE APTS." section

[lychee]

I have had the idea of having students live with me. I have a spacious apartment, I could charge them a third of what they would have to pay in a foriegn country and quite frankly they would learn more. No going back home to the dorms to speak Chinese with their friends.

I may have 2 students a ratio of 2 to one is nothing they would get in a foreign country, prep them for IELTS.

I saw an ad on the internet a couple of months ago, a family wanted a teacher to live and teach their 2 sons, age around 19 and 20 . They were offering 13,000RMB a month but with the promise of 100,000-200,000 if you did a good job.
If you are young and enthusiastic or old and interested and into Chinese culture and language, go for it.

But as one poster pointed out I would definitely not pay.