Job Discussion Forums

[ChinaLady]

just toured the facility or campus. it seems to be a construction zone. no one really friendly. I was told this was a good place to work by a few Canadian friends. really? some information from present or former teachers would be really helpful. their salary package of 8,000 y a month sounds good. haven't seen the housing as yet.
comments would be great!

[HunanForeignGuy]

Has their salary package gone up to RMB 8000 per month?

Congratulations..it used to hover around RMB 6000 and there was a housing allowance included, which perhaps may have brought it up to RMB 8000.

Alcanta is one of the most-discussed schools in GZ on this Board. Prudence, caution and more prudence. It is by far not the worst -- that is Baiyun and the infamous Nancy Dragon Lady. Nonetheless, it has a reputation as a bit of a revolving door to say the least.

The foreign teachers' room is large and spacious; the computer room for the FT's is off to the side. They change Foreign Affairs Officers / Liaison for the FT's at least once every three months -- perhaps it has stabilized a bit by now, however. You could have a very nice schedule and you could have the schedule from hell -- it all depends. You most likely will work on the weekends and you most likely will have midweek off.

It's just one of those places that is either hit or miss.

You will have large classes and in most cases the desks are bolted to the floor which does not allow for true student-centered classroom. Nonetheless, there seemed to be a more-than-average camaraderie among the FT's, which is not something that you will everywhere here in GZ. There was a preponderance of Brits, New Zealanders and Aussies, for some reason, so if you are very "Commonwealth" you might feel right at home.

If I were you, before I leeped, I would go back -- sit in on a few of the classrooms, talk to at least two or three of the FT's. This year, in any case, they were paid on time, etc.

Any more questions, PM me.

As we say in New York, at least for me, the jury is out on this one. It needs another look.

As for housing, it's all off-campus and frankly that allows for a maximum of privacy. They will cover your housing expenditures up to about RMB 1000 per month (maybe that's changed) but in their neck of the woods, that won't get you much.

All the best,

HFG

And please do a search on this Board for Alcanta -- you will find numerous threads.