Job Discussion Forums

[cmknight]

The Cambridge Foreign Language School of Meihekou, Jilin Province is another one of those "Talenty" Schools that FT's might want to stay away from.

The teachers are ok, but the owner is a shyster. They claim to be teaching the Cambridge YLE (Young Learners English) and give certificates to their students, but the certs are fake, and none of the teachers have taken the Cambridge workshops. They don't even know about the Cambridge syllabus.

When I was hired, my wife (Chinese) negotiated my contract for me. She got the school to abide by the advertisement (http://www.tefljobs.cn/School_Teach_Show.asp?TeachID=10415&SchoolID=3957) in that they had to pay my utilities, provide an apartment (they expected me to stay either in the 1-star hotel next door, or they would convert one of the classrooms into a room for me.), etc., etc.

The owner of the language centre refused to return my passport to me, stating that he had had runners before (wonder why?), and he did not want to take that chance with me. I had my wife phone him and explain that my passport was a government document, and that he was not allowed to keep it. He swore at her in Chinese, calling her every name he could think of, none of which is repeatable here. I called the Canadian embassy, and he also told them where to go. He even had the gall to tell them it was an "internal affair" and that they could mind their own business. The Foreign Affairs Bureau in Beijing finally got involved, and he unwillingly returned my passport to me.

The apartment that the school rented has to be about the worst in the city of Meihekou. Once a day (6 A.M.) the building super turns on the water. I have to fill the bathtub. This water has a strange sewer-like smell to it. It's so bad that I have to leave the room while filling the tub. With this water, I am expected to wash my dishes, do my laundry, and cook. Yes, I said cook. This water is also used to flush my toilet! He rented this apartment for a 2-year period.

The paint in the apartment is cracking and falling off. Every day, I take him a new piece that has either fallen off the ceiling, or one of the walls. I have pictures if anyone wants to see them.

Yesterday (9 December, 2008), he suddenly, and inexplicably cancelled my contract. He ordered me to give him my passport so that he could take it to Tonghua and cancel my Residence Permit. At the same time, he would get me a one month tourist visa. In his words, "You have one month to leave China." All I did was ask him to repaint the apartment.

My SAFEA contract states that if either party wishes to terminate the contract they must give a 30-day written notice to the other party. A standard part of any SAFEA contract in China. He terminated my contract, effective immediately, but wants me to write up the 30-day notice so that he is off the hook for breach of contract. He also wants me to reimburse him for the apartment rent because he was stupid enough to sign and pay for a 2-year lease.

Anyone know a good contract lawyer in China?

I know that some of you may see this as a personal rant. Maybe it is. After all, I did just get my contract terminated, and I am a tad bit upset about it. Some of you may say, "Welcome to China". I have been here for 5 years now, and this is definitely the worst place I have been to. My last gig was a 2-year sub-contract with a British College. That ended amicably because the college pulled out of its deals in China. I just felt that people should be warned about this Language Centre's Owner. I am not going to put his name here because I don't know if it's allowed.

I do feel sorry for the Chinese teachers there because they have to work for a guy who is selling a fake Cambridge program and defrauding parents. How do I know it's fake? As far as I know, there is only one Cambridge YLE testing centre in China and it's in Tsinghua University. Testers from England come and administer the exams, same as for the Trinity College London GESE. The Certificates come from London, not from a printing house up the street. Also, the Genuine Certificates don't have Chinese on them. The fake ones do.

Ok. Sorry about the long post. Rant Mode OFF.

[roadwalker]

You didn't give him your passport, did you? Sorry, I don't know any Chinese lawyers, but perhaps you should contact the SEAFA office first? I know you want to get the best settlement possible but I wouldn't write that 30 day notice at least until my last pay is deposited and verified. Obviously you have no obligation to pay the rent. What was the attraction to the school in the first place? Proximity to wife's family?

[cmknight]

I did not give my passport. I found the school on the internet, since I don't go with recruiters anymore. I made that mistake once. Yes I did take it because it was close to my wife, and because the owner fooled me into believing that all of their expat teachers were never displeased with the place. I was foolish to believe that, I know, but Google searches regarding this school turned up nothing, as did ESL site searches. We need a database of schools that consistently rip expats off.

[robchissy]

if anyone from the foreign affairs office reads this from anywhere in china, you need to contact beijing and do something about this, even close the school down

[Kibbs]

Is this school owned by Yifa Cai? You mentioned talenty, I'm quite surprised that they're still in existance. Back in 2000 they had horrendous school conditions and Chinese admins who hated foreigners. I can't believe they're still operational.

[brsmith15]

Have your wife report them to the nearest Tax Bureau. I'm willing to bet that, with all that you (and others) suffered, they haven't paid any payroll taxes either.

[Hansen]

CM,

Sorry about the misfortune that has befallen you. A good lesson here, for others, however. You put up with conditions from the get go that were unacceptable, thereby lowering your status in the eyes of the boss. Paint falling around? Almost cetainly toxic, including the dust that you have been breathing. Cesspool smelling water? What might be in there, even if you do boil it?

People who think the concept of "soldiering on," keeping "a stiff upper lip," and so forth are effective in China are mistaken. Demand, set time frames, set limits, and move on if they are not met. Sociopathic types, which many of the Chinese are from a Western view, do not respond as expected to Western virtues in the work place. Like in prison, if the predators think you are weak, they despise you all the more. You will be victimized again, as is obvious from the outcome.

Don't let this guy waste anymore of your time. Cut your loses. Move on.

[Eyrick3]

[cmknight]

Roadwalker, I've tried contacting SAFEA, but the email addy I have for them is dead. I can't get in touch with the Foreign Affairs bureau in Changchun, because the owner has "influence" there. I've emailed the Canadian Embassy, but unless I'm dead or in jail, they won't do squat.

But not to worry, as I type this, I'm packing. The teachers are stealing and bringing me boxes from the office, so I'll be outta here by the weekend. Imagine, 5 years ago when I came here, I had one suitcase. Now I have enough to fill a small truck.

The owner has told me I can stay and finish out the month. I can work it, but I won't be paid for it. LOL, Yeah, riiight. Like that's gonna happen. Seriously considering teaching HIM some English ... the one-fingered salute. LOL.

[theincredibleegg]

Ouch!

That's a horrible experience.
I'm glad you made it out of there. I'm also glad you posted the story here in case anyone else in contact with named language center.

[roadwalker]

Thanks for posting your warning and all of the red flags for newbies to look for. Good luck in the next place.

[gregmcd101]

Unpleasant. I asked my new school to send me a video of the accomodation before I signed. Also, I requested to talk to one of the incumbent FTs on the phone. Both were done and I was satisfied. I questioned a few things in the contract, all but one amended to my benefit. All these things help to put ones mind at ease. An employers williningness (or not) to comply is indicitive of their character. If they refuse a reasonable request go elsewhere. China these days is a sellers market, especially for experienced teachers, and OP has 5 years experience. A lesson learnt I guess

[El Macho]

[eddy-cool]

You can forget about taking your case to court - futile, costly and time-consuming. While you may have a realistic chance of at least winning the case in a formal manner you will hardly be able to get material satisfaction. The lawyers cost at least a thousand kuai an hour, and if the court finds your ex-boss has no charges to answer for they will throw your case out without giving you a chance at a review. Courts are swamped with pending cases so they are not exactly looking for more litigation!

Your best bet to get a sort of justice is by taking your case to the Labour Bureau, the P.S.B. and the Education Bureau. While they cannot force your ex-employer to follow the contract the two of you signed they can exert some pressure on him by pointing out that his own future might be a tad dicey.

By the way, those Cambridge Young Learner's textbooks are not of the highest quality though they are 'bestsellers' in China. They are produced in a shoddy quality by Chinese licensed publishers.

[cmknight]

eddy-cool,
There is a way to get non-monetary satisfaction. It would be a shame if his wife found that he had a mistress (and a son by her), wouldn't it?