Job Discussion Forums

[Madame J]

I'd never heard of this organisation previously, but upon both browsing the website and speaking to somebody there directly, it does sound as though it offers an excellent deal. Almost too good to be true in fact, which is why I'm casting my line out and seeing if anybody here could shed any further light on them?

In short, the programme offers a guaranteed paid placement in China with accommodation provided and (the part that makes me hmm slightly) no special qualifications required to take on such a placement. There is a programme fee of $799, but to me that seems extremely reasonable for a guaranteed paid job for someone like me with few quals and only a little experience.

Here's what they say:

For 4-12 month applicants

* A salary of up to 3,000 RMB per month for a native English speaker
* Up to 3,500 � 4,500 RMB per month for a native English speaker with a degree in English and some teaching experience
* Up to 4,500 -5,000 RMB per month for a native English speaker with a degree in English, at least one year of teaching experience, and TEFL or TOSEL training
* Free food and accommodations. In some cases (when there is no school cafeteria), schools provide food allowance/coupons for groceries, which are paid together with a salary on a monthly basis. Volunteers will then prepare food themselves
* Free health clinic at school
* 1,100 RMB tour cost offer for a 5-month contract
* 2,200 RMB tour cost offer for a 10-month contract
* Room and meals with a Chinese family. A host family can sometimes be arranged if you want to practice Chinese language skills with a host father and mother. Availability varies with each placement. Please check with us.
* Help in obtaining a visa.
* Services and support of field staff
* Guaranteed placement
* One-way international airfare reimbursement for a 5-month contract
* Round-trip international airfare reimbursement for a 10-month contract


What do you think? Does this sound reasonable enough?

[TexasHighway]

Madame, I think this deal is absolutely appalling. A salary of UP to 3000 rmb? That is not a salary, it is a stipend. Global Crossroad is a "volunteer" organization that apparently takes any warm bodies as long as they are native speakers. You don't know how many teaching/office hours you will have, you don't know what school or schools you may end up at, and they want to charge you $799 for the "privilege" of teaching for them? Don't walk, run away from them! There are plenty of schools in China that hire directly for free with a much higher salary...and many schools are begging for native teachers. My advice is to stay away from "volunteer" organizations, recruiters, and most of all English First. Do some searching on this forum and on the internet and hopefully some members here will offer some more specific advice or opportunities for you. Good luck, Madame!

[brsmith15]

In my 10 years here, this is probably the worst....very worst...offer I've seen. I agree with Tex: RUN!!

[North China Laowei]

Dear Madame J.,

There has been a great deal written about Global Crossroads on this board, almost 99.999% of it exceptionally negative.

Please do not get yourself involved with this agency under any way, shape or form. You are a qualified teacher, from what I can see.

If you need solid contacts, please let me know. I would have no trouble make you an introduction to a good, solid group of people.

As far as these people are concerned, please..avoid them...they will ruin every bit of your stay in China.

NCL

[bearcanada]

For the sake of newcomers to this board we should reiterate the warning that you NEVER, EVER EVER pay anybody any money to help you find a job in China.

.

[Madame J]

Gosh. This is all rather enlightening. Thanks everyone! I suppose the reason I see/saw Global Crossroad as being a decent option is that I am not in fact a qualified teacher, though I do have a few months' worth of voluntary teaching experience that makes me fairly sure I can do the job. I am, of course, prepared to take a CELTA as I realise I'll go absolutely nowhere without it.

NCL, if you say you may be able to link me up with some reputable contacts then I would be extremely grateful?!

Also: English First are dodgy? I'd always thought they were one of the most respectable organisations in the field. Ah well, you learn something new every day I suppose.

[Anda]

If you want to get a foot in the door without too much trouble then try public schools. The only problem with them is that some will only give you a ten month contract so that they get out of paying for the Summer holidays.

[North China Laowei]