Job Discussion Forums

MO39

I've found several ads from Yakup International Trade and Legal Consultancy on the English Job Maze for ESL jobs in China. Is it as fabulous (or even half as fabulous) as its website would lead you to believe? If you've had any dealings with them, I'd love to hear from you.

Many thanks.[/b]

Guest · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 9:57 pm Post subject:

Hello

I came over to China with Yakup at the end of August last year. The only reason I came with a Recruiter was that I was short of time as the School term was about to commence on the 1st September and I only made up my mind to come two weeks prior to that.

The ONLY reason to come here with a Recruiter in my opinion is if you have never travelled before. They will meet you at the Airport and arrange your Hotel for a couple of nights (and they pay for it also) while they sort out a school for you. I stayed in Beijing for 3 nights and I did not have to put my hand in my pocket once during that time for anything.

On the DOWN side, take what they offer you with a pinch of salt as not all of it will come true. For instance they promised me the following:

4,000 per month (which did not materialise)
A new bicycle (which has also not appeared)
To teach older children (12 years and up) did not happen
A self contained flat - I share a kitchen and laundry
Return Air fare after 10 months (I believe I will get 2/3 rds of that only)
3 days of training (very important to me as I was a newbie) did not happen

Having said all that, I am VERY HAPPY with my School here and plan to stay for at least two years. That, however, is just good luck, and no thanks to YAKUP INTERNATIONAL.

There are plenty of sites on the Internet where you can find jobs and deal with the Schools direct. Recruiters are ONLY interested in their commission and not your welfare or happiness.

If you are confident, I would recommend you find a School for yourself, but if you have not been here to China before, you may be more comfortable dealing with a Recruiter, and in that case, Yakup is probably as good as any.

Good luck

If you want some more info. email me on
[email protected]

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Yakup has made headlines here many times over the years.
These days, it is ever more rarely possible to avoid getting trapped by some go-between such as Yakup; the only one I would recommend is Buckland though.

A business that doubles as "consultancy" is a scam, no matter what lines fall under "consultancy".

I have heard the business is owned by Turks; how come Turks recruit English teachers for Chinese public schools???
Why can't I go sell shishkebab in Istanbul?

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Talk directly to the school. I half -wonder if you work for Yakup? The reviews on Yakup are consistently bad, probably the second worse agency in China...many bad stories, research it at Dave's

Kitegirl · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Posts: 101 Location: Lugdunum Batavorum

This link will tell you all you need to know about Yakup. It's a wonderful, very inspiring account of an American's experiences with Yakup.

http://www.yakup-international.com/asp/index.asp?user_name=Sean%20Fitzgerald%20Brogna

It certainly made my mind up for me about Yakup.

whitjohn · Joined: 27 Feb 2003 Posts: 124

Rhonda, you are such a sweetie! How are your orphans doing anyhow? I even thought about sending you some money to help your efforts. You are the sort China needs...good heart and accepting of what is!
Cheers,
John

Guest · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:41 pm Post subject:

Hello

My 68 Orphans are doing well (I think). After nearly 6 months I still have not seen about 20 of them. I think they are too badly "damaged" and they just do not let people see them. I fully expected to see everyone on Christmas Day but I was wrong. It is a bit of a problem for me as I am scared stiff that there may be kids in there with useless bodies but with good minds - who are going crazy!!! They are the ones I would like to get to. The ones who are mentally "out of it" do not suffer the torment - they just accept life as it is.

I was invited to the staff New Year's Banquet on the 18th Jan. and I was very honoured. I have been fully accepted by everyone there now and it is a great relief. I am giving the children a Birthday Cake and present each this year (I have 8 Birthdays in some months) and also I am going to start to take them on outings in March.

It will be interesting to see what happens when I turn up with a Birthday cake for one of the kids I have not seen yet - if they will let me see him/her. I have been given a complete list of ages etc (in chinese) and have to get it translated.

In January I took a cake a present for a boy who is in a wheelchair but who is really bright. He turned 16 (but looks about 13) and by the look on his face, he had never had a Birthday cake in his life before. That spurred me on and made me all the more determined to continue.

ChadwickKent · Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 55

Is YAKUP INTERNATIONAL a top-notch recruiting agency?

Well of course silly! And the Internal Revenue Service is here to help you while the Pope is really an athiest!

Louis · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Posts: 275 Location: Beautiful Taiyuan

If you want to teach in China, go with Yakup. If you actually want to know where you will be teaching, what age group, salary, etc... before getting on the plane, don't.
I just arrived a few days ago, official work invitation in hand for sunny Wuxi. Upon meeting Dr. Yakup, I found out that I would instead be in Taiyuan, which isn't exactly as glamorous...
Personally, the only reason I did it is because of my lack of qualifications. The school here in Taiyuan seems to be run by competent people, and although I'm not holding my breath for my free bicycle and newspaper subscription, I don't think this is a horror story in the making. However, if you have your degree and/or TESOL, try dealing directly with the school, and not a placement agency that can ship you anywhere at its whim.