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]

[Anda]

I thought that Madame J had a non teaching Uni degree and was prepared to do a CELTA. Nanjing education starts beginners in public schools but at the lower pay rate or at least they did and they will also arrange an in country TESSL course cheaply if needed.


Many adds I've seen for public schools have been for ten months. My first contract was for ten months with a government teachers college. My current contract is for 22 months at a middle school so they get out of the summer holidays in the second year. I wanted a two year contract and I'm happy getting the 22 months of straight work as I expect that hard times are ahead. I have just had to pick up casual work for the last two months due to the fact that my last contract finished on the 5th of July.

[TexasHighway]

[Madame J]

Well, your point about my susceptibility towards unscrupulous organisations certainly hits the nail on he head. If it helps, I KNOW I did a good job in the school I was at for four months previously, but extrapolating simply from that seems a little naive. Of course I would abandon such caution when faced with a potential employer, but who doesn't bluff their self confidence levels during interviews? In real life, I am trying not to cross that line between confidence and cockiness.

Anyway, the point I was trying to make is that the reason that such organisations reach out to me a little more than they probably should is that I am so inexperienced, and realistically placements such as these may be my best bet in terms of getting a foot in the door. Especially as most "reputable" employers seem to desire two years' experience. I'm currently on eight months, if you tot all my short term placements together.

I shall put this organisation on the back burner, however. The idea of ending up in some remote location I have no control over is admittedly a little scary.

You you not a qualified teacher and are fairly sure you can do the job? With such an anemic level of self-confidence, no reputable employer would give you a chance. That makes you vulnerable to unscrupulous organizations that charge a placement fee and revolving-door corporate ESL sweatshops such as EF. Before you try to presuade others, first persuade yourself that you will be a great teacher. You seem to be an articulate, intelligent native speaker with a real interest in teaching which is more than I can say of many FTs in China. I have seen some with advanced degrees and impeccable credentials that are horrible teachers and who show contempt for their students and everything about China. The fall semester is starting throughout China and with the number of no-shows and washouts that is epidemic this time of year among FTs, you may find some decent schools that are willing to give you a chance.[/quote]

[Madame J]

Bah. Learning to use the "quote" function properly would also help.

[TexasHighway]