Job Discussion Forums

CWanders · Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 49

I've been looking for a summer camp job. (I'll be in China in the fall for a graduate program, so recouping the airfare is not a concern.)

I'm considering Zhejiang University/Global TEFL Network's summer camp. I did the prerequisite search through old threads and the most recent comments I found were from 2005. (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=18689)

Does anyone have more recent experience with this company? Are they still up to the same old tricks or have they leveled out and become more reputable? (Their contracts now claim that they'll pay you even if they fail to have the promised position available.) I've taught in Taiwan before, and know that not all gripes reflect issues with the company as much as issues the foreign teacher is dealing with. On the other hand, I also know that there are scummy ESL companies to watch out for. Which side of the line does Zhejiang University Global TEFL Network currently fall on?

InTime · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 1676 Location: CHINA-at-large

Several years ago, I taught at 2 of their Summer Camps one summer.
I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do with the kids
ComicBook-based RolePlay/TPR
...they let me do it...
...kids liked it
No problems for me.
I didn't experience any tricks.
I haven't read that Thread you mentioned.

In China, many FTs' problems with schools are more related to
inefficiency, lack of initiative, lack of concern/time/awareness.

I am now working there...just started...developing some projects for them, (some of which will be available in the summer camps, others may manifest in On-the-Road English Camp across China to India... Cool

I can speak highly of the commitment of the CEO to truly create innovative projects. But I don't know anything about who'll be in charge for the Camps. I certainly hope I can help get things with good momentum, if/when/before we leave for India Wink

CWanders · Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 49

Thanks for responding InTime. It's very reassuring to hear from someone who has had a positive experience with them. (The thread I referenced was overwhelmingly negative.) Could I PM you if I come up with specific questions?

InTime · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 1676 Location: CHINA-at-large

Sure.
PM me.

Again...I can only speak about:
*my experiences...then
*my experiences...now
*my sense/commitment for the future

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

They're on the scummy side of the line, trust me. Can't remember the names any longer (I think the head guy's English name is "John" and of course there's "Helen") but you will reap what you sow should you decide to join them. The disgruntled vs the satisfied ratio with this mamby-pamby outfit leads to the side of the disgruntled. But, whatever. If you take the job I hope you balance your query for advice with an update on your own personal experience (either on this thread or as an update on the other). I'm all for being proven wrong when it comes to job satisfaction here in China.

InTime · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 1676 Location: CHINA-at-large

Here at the ChinaTEFL Network office, I just sat down with one of the 2 staff working w/foreign teacher/programs. I showed her this Thread. She read thru it with interest and concern. I politely emphasized that Forums such as ours can rapidly spread a bad reputation, whether deserved or undeserved.
(On Saturday, I talkd to the second staff person about QC/Repution/Internet...suggesting that when the company/new projects prosper...then the staff could more likely get a raise...)

I suggested to the 1st staff lady that when the bad rep is deserved, then a definite change in QC is required. I can personally verify the the CEO, Helen, has chosen 2008 for major new developments in the Corporate Plan, which is why she invited me, and why I consented.

She also brought in a Feng Shui Consultant, a Taoist scholar/practicioner, former Professor in the U.S., who just started a Taoist Center in the mountains outside of Hangzhou. He has an Aussie student there, also in long-haired Taoist monk-style, who is teaching English at a high school there, while cultivating the Tao.

This is one of several opportunities that give me a sense of long-term commitment to ChinaTEFL. Wink

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

Lobster · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:29 am Post subject:

Definitely cheaper than hiring someone with an MA in Applied Linguistics or an experienced Curriculum Designer. Who would expect that from

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Intime, you should show your colleague the other 20 threads concerning this outfit. Not that I would do it for all the tea in, well, China, but it would be interesting to go back to that company after reading your post and see, truly, if anything really did improve or not. The problem with MOST summer camps, in my opinion, is that their goal is not to greatly increase a student's grasp of English or even to encourage all that much learning and English creativity. I think they DO want the child to be happy . . . sort of. However, with the barracks most students are crammed in and the food they're fed and being in a classroom morning, afternoon, and night - - it's not all that much different than normal school. Sure, there are a lot more white faces singing Kum-ba-yah or The Lion Sleeps Tonight and there are game nights and spelling competitions and what-not, but it's a money-making machine where most companies are not going to invest a lot of time and energy in a top-notch summer program. If they DID invest more money and resources, that profit margin would be slimmed down and where's the fun in that?

Mei Sheng · Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Posts: 177 Location: With Yunqi!!

In Time is inspiring. Keep it up Roger. I appreciate our time together.

How about you?

"Balls!, said the Queen. If I had them, I'd be King. Well, I've got them and I ain't King"; said the Jack."

Happy Trails.

InTime · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 1676 Location: CHINA-at-large

Many of us here-on-the-board and here-in-China can agree on:
* what's wrong w/many English schools/classes-in-China

Next steps:
*Promote the new-ways (of being/learning/teaching)
*Make the switch

A while back I did on-line M.A. classes in "Human and Organizational Transformation" at Cal. Institute of Integral Studies www.ciis.edu.
Consider one of the transformation approaches:

What is Appreciative Inquiry? - The Appreciative Inquiry Commons
Appreciative Inquiry is about the [b]coevolutionary search for the best in people, their organizations, and the relevant world around them. ...
appreciativeinquiry.case.edu/intro/whatisai.cfm[/b]