Job Discussion Forums

[North China Laowei]

Almost all of what has been written here is quite accurate.

Let me add my two cents at today's rate of exchange.

Indeed, Aston is better than the other chains. They pass less than Wall Street and are on a par with English First in cities where they both compete. Aston is an American company; English First is a Swedish company.

I went through the interview process with both. I was offered jobs with both. English First does not aspire to qualities of honesty, transparency and truthfulness. Aston was transparent and open in the entire process. English First offered little choice of cities -- they assign you or take-it-or-leave-it. Aston will sincerely try to match you with what you want with what they have is open. Huge differences. As English First, you are given a housing allowance. At Aston you are given an apartment but it is shared (there are provisions for non-shared apartments, though). Both cater to the same audience. Both farm teachers out when they have to. English First has an atrocious turn-over rate. If you survive four months at English First and are still there, you are deemed to be an experienced veteran. At Aston, most of the time, the teachers work the contract. If you don't like the school, they will earnestly attempt to transfer you elsewhere. EF is their-way-or-the-highway-in-all-things.

You should easily be able to determine whether or not your school is a true Aston school or affiliate. Just ask them directly. They do their recruiting out of Dalian, I think, or at least they used to.

NCL

[jimoin]

I must interject here. I hated the Aston school branch I was at but had no option to change out mid-semester, and had to break contract as a result.

[kungfukitten]

[rach24]

I worked at Jinan Aston and had no problems. There were one or two people who handed notice in mid-contract but there were no problems with that. They left for own reasons not because of Aston. Most people stayed for min 6 month, many for a year. I would stick to a large school, have heard negatives about the small franchises. I'm headed to Xian Aston next yr for 6 months, hoping its ok there and its a big school so even if there are any problems i won't be alone.

[jimoin]

They want to fine me but it remains to be seen if they will. Yeah I think it's pretty unreasonable how schools fine us for changing jobs. In the west I'm pretty sure that doesn't happen!

[Pilot82]

I'll be starting at the Aston Dalian school chain this coming month in Jan. for the winter intensive contract, and then Aston school in Lianyugang for the year contract.

[Paji eh Wong]

Does anyone here work for (or know someone who works for) Aston Business Consulting, Aston Global or Aston Associates? PM me please.

A beer to the kind soul who can hook me up.

[dadczak]

Hey Pilot 82...

How was your January with Aston in Dalian?

[Dan The Chainsawman]

I work for Aston at the moment, Yinchuan to be exact. I've definitely worked in worst schools in South Korea.

While Yinchuan isn't the best, I do get paid on time, I work 17 of my contracted 25 hours, and I'm rarely harassed by my school overlords.


I'm fortunate though that the foreign manager, a fellow from south africa, fights hard for us foreign teachers. He has gotten us days off that they didn't want to give and other things as well.

[Pilot82]

Yo hey there dadczak....my January here in Dalian has been quite an experience to say the least. I'm actaully located and teach at Future 6 in Kai Fa Qu Development Zone.

The Manager and Assistant Manager, and CT's are nice and helpful, no one's really pressed me about anything as of late, in fact I was asked if I wanted to stay for another term! I just show up on time, do my job, and everythings all good !