Job Discussion Forums

Dude Love Japan · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

I got accepted quite easily into TEFL Int'l's Beijing Special Project. Please kindly look at http://www.teflintl.com/beijing_special_summer.htm. Is this a good deal? I don't yet know how much I'd make (if anything), where I'll train/live/work or who my students will be. I intend to find out before making a commitment. Thanks everyone for helping a newbie.

johnchina · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 816

I've heard of this outfit, but don't know anyone who has any experience with them, so feel free to take my comments with a bag of salt. My points are often related to the way they advertise themselves.

However ...

1. on another thread, I stated that schools that actually list a "Welcome dinner" as one of their good points are suspect. Lo and behold, TEFL International offers a "Course orientation dinner held at a traditional Beijing Courtyard restaurant."

2. The marketing blurb is slick, which always makes me wonder about the substance. Examples:

a. "Beijing is one of the few cities that has remained culturally intact around China and kept its cultural relics." Really? Relative to other Chinese cities perhaps, but not on an 'absolute' basis.

b. "Just steps away from the Summer Palace and the Great Wall." Physically impossible.

c. Beijing duck is actually listed as an advantage. I mean, I like Beijing duck, but c'mon!

d. "Your teacher trainers are some of the most experienced and well-trained in the industry." Absolute rubbish!!! Name them!!!

e. "The locals are peaceful, friendly people who generally like spending time with foreigners." Peaceful? Yes if you are referring to the level of violence. No if you are referring to the level of noise. Like spending time with foreigners? Absolute rubbish!!! The vast majority of Chinese people are wary of foreigners and certainly do not hang out with them. I agree that the situation in Wu Dao Kou is better than in most of China, but TEFL International's claim doesn't hold water IMHO.

f. "Fill out an application form and take that next step towards learning amidst the surreal beauty and excitement of Beijing." It's "surreal" alright!! The myth of the "beauty" of Beijing is currently being dismantled on another thread.

3. The cost of a home stay is WAY too high!! Do NOT choose or accept that option!! You will almost certainly be expected to be "on call" for an English class virtually 18 hours a day. The shared accommodation looks like a reasonable deal.

4. "Couples coming together"!?

5. They claim to be a non-profit organisation. Well, they charge as much as profit-making organisations for their courses, so I'm suspicious of that claim.

Having said that, they are British Council accredited - though the BC would probably accredit any school that met the criteria of sending them a cheque.

Someone, somewhere will no doubt be offended or disagree with some of my comments, but my general experience is "More hype, less quality" and I'm sticking to that opinion.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

I gotta big feeling this maybe a recruiting troll.
look at his other posts - he writes he has 4 years experience in Korea - what kind of Ft with that kind of background would get themselves employed through such a dubious offer.
Newbies beware - this may be a ploy to get you interested as well!!!!!

By the way this outfit and the BC -

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

Legit or not, Thailand IS the place to go for certification.
Why ?

#1. Fun
#2. Has well established (and numerous) certifying programs.
#3. Heck of a lot cheaper than China, and Beijing specifically.
#4. Friendly people/friendlier people
#5. Thai is a pretty cool language(more tones and a rolling "R")
#6. Beaches, jungle,activities
#7. Central to heading off to many (cheap) places
#8. Beijing is not a down-to-earth place
#9. In Beijing there are Scams,scams,scams everywhere

Don't do it, save yourself! Wink

adamsmith · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 259 Location: wuhan

I took a look at the link, boy does it look bad. My interpretation of this is that you pay 350, they give you in return free, shared, accomodation, 3 hours of mandarin, and a questionable certificate, plus airfare. In return, in addition to the 350 dollars, you will also work for 15 weeks - there is nothing in there site that says you will get paid for this work. The way I am reading it is that you will work for nothing but the aforementioned benifits.
This does not sound like fun to me.

johnchina · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 816

tw - I clicked on the link and was informed that the page had expired. I followed another link and then another to get to courses in China.

http://www.teflintl.com/tefl_course_china_beijing.htm

About halfway down on the right, there's a link to a "Location and information guide" to Beijing.

Visas are mentioned - apparently, you get an F visa.

A few quotes from that guide:

"Various books are provided for use by trainees. However, no books should be removed from the classroom on the 2nd floor without specific permission from the Course Academic Director."

I did my CELTA a long while ago, but this rule seems rather strange to me.

"One big difference between Beijing and other Asian cities is the nightlife. From bars to nightclubs you can stay out all night and have a lot of fun. Bars range from local spots to glamorous clubs. You can get it all here."

Has this person never heard of HK, Shanghai, Tokyo, Bangkok, Seoul, Singapore or Manila?

"You'll be shocked when you go shopping in the Yashow and Silk Market in Beijing. You can buy an array of designer brands for next to nothing. Polo shirts can start at 4 dollars."

Do reputable schools really advertise where people can buy FAKE products?

I honestly wonder who wrote this stuff.

This particular branch could not have been accredited by the BC in China, since they don't do that. The BC is part of the embassy and is not permitted to accredit schools. However, that does not exclude the possibility that the school has been accredited outside of China by the BC.

WW - Agreed!

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

Beijing uohhhhhhhhhh!

SnoopBot · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 740 Location: USA

I feel this is another "No degree, No Experience, NO Problem" group that recruits newbie teachers who do not know much about the industry.

If you do not know much about TESOL, these agencies maybe can help you get your feet wet. They offer a short term program, so don't expect much and you should be ok.

However, if you're qualified I would not use agencies like this to secure long-term gainful employment.

I do not KNOW this agency to give an honest answer if they are legit or not.

Dude Love Japan · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

I give you my word I'm not a recruiting troll. I wasn't sining praises for the program, just asking questions. I specifically said I knew little about it and that I hadn't made a commitment.
Thanks for so many replies in such a short time. I think I'll play it safe and stick with the CELTA. I need to work in the meantime and even if this Beijing deal pays it wouldn't be much.

johnchina · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 816

Language Link runs a CELTA course in Beijing. I'm probably beginning to look like a troll myself, since I recommend this course so often! Three of my friends have taken it and all have been extremely satisfied. The trainer is imported from the UK. Sorry, I don't have contact details, but they must have a website.