Job Discussion Forums

[rico4444]

In a general sense, any info about Xiamen would be helpful. I've done a considerable amount of research and have narrowed my choice to Xiamen. I have a ton of experience in Korea, Thailand, and USA so I think finding a job shouldn't be too difficult. To be more specific, can you answer these 3 questions:
1) When is the best time to apply? I assume September is the best period but what about around Lunar New Year?
2) Can you save any money if the salary is about 6000 RMB plus housing or housing allowance?
3) Do you know anything about this school....Xiamen Yingzhifu Language Training Center, or King's International English? I have a job offer pending at the former.
4) Any other schools you'd recommend to either work at or stay away from?

Thanks for your help.

[simrishamn]

Hi,
Hello, I have lived in Xiamen for two years and been teaching � Xiamen University.
I would recommend that you stay away from King�s International; they have problems keeping teachers for longer than 3 months at a time. One of the better training centers believe it or not would be English First in Xiamen.
Regarding the salary it depends what you like to do on your spare time. A decent apartment would cost at least 1200-1500 for a studio/month. Overall, Xiamen is not too expensive but I doubt you will be able to save much.

[Mister Al]

Xiamen Yingzifu is actually English First, I believe. It was a good centre to work in when I was there.

Kings has a poor reputation.

[therock]

Search and you will find quite a few threads about Kings. From the feedback it seems they are like a nightmare school.

[rico4444]

Thanks for all the helpful info, especially about Kings. I did check the threads and was totally scared off, just in time too.

What about universities in Xiamen? Can I get work there without a Masters? I have a BA and a CELTA and 6 years ESL experience in America, Thailand, and Korea. I'm particularly interested in Xiamen Univ......any chance?? And when is the best time to apply?

[simrishamn]

The best way is to send your �stuff� directly to the FAO � Xiamen University. They hire a lot of foreign teachers but most of them have a MA or a PhD.

[therock]

[rico4444]

That's totally encouraging. Do you have any idea when the best time to send my "stuff" would be? Is after Lunar New Year too early? Is it better to wait until June or July as they get ready for the September session?

[simrishamn]

You could sent them your documents already and keep sending them emails until they respond.

[jeffinflorida]

King's English = a very very bad place to work.

Moron's run it, extremely high turnover, work you 40 + a hours a week, fine you for the stupidist things... Clock in late by a minute fine you 10 rmb, crap like that.

My friend worked a whole year there and at the end asked for his contractual airlfare bonus - they gave him 100 stories as to why they would not pay him even though he worked there the entire contract time...

AVOID KINGS ENGLISH in Fujian if you have some common sense.

And yes, I worked there and regret it. And they still can not give you a legal working visa even though they may tell you they can.

[bisognor]

I am considering Xiamen in early 2008 too. I wanted to add some related questions to the OP:


1. Are you able to get internet in apartments? dial up? High speed?

2. If I secured a University position would it be easy to get some extra work? I am especially intersted in some "business english" opportunities.

3. I have a JD but don't practice law in California. I have read some on the net about growing demand in the ESL market for "legal english" but most of what I see on the net is related to Europe. I'm curious if people have seen signs of a "legal english" market in Xiamen or China broadly?

[jeffinflorida]

[ontheroadagain]