Job Discussion Forums

RUSTY · Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 7

Any body have any information on this School, experiences especially recent ones.Thanks Razz

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

The OP is old, but I'm curious about them too.

angelfire · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 29 Location: United States

I'm going to have an interview with them soon. Does anybody have any info? Thanks

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

Ameson is not really a school, but an organization, though they have some classes at their headquarters in Nanjing. They hire teachers for schools in various cities, so you might not have much say about which city you end up in.

http://ameson-global.org/ameson-news/6-ameson-news-blog/53-ameson-institutes-announce-their-teaching-positions-for-sept-2009

platinum peyote · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:14 am Post subject:

Totemic · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 118 Location: Nanjing

Raindrops · Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 142 Location: PRC

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

frank d · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 155

Oh, lordy, Ameson! Where to begin...?
They were the final employer I had before leaving China once and for all at the end of 2007 (having been there since 2003).

I was approached by them to develop a special English Literature course for a small group (10) of advanced students. Other types of humanties-related, college-prep courses were also discussed for possible development.

The woman running the school, Lica Zhang seemed quite personable during my interview and position negotation -- although the interview was actually conducted by a retired scholar who was helping Ameson (and Ms. Zhang) develop a new and special curriculum for Ameson.

I was to teach this first course at the Nanjing headquarters only (as the students were already there). They needed me to begin quickly, but I also needed materials specially selected for the course -- mostly western novels and short story anthologies.

"Just give us a list of what you need, and they'll be ordered right away." I provided the list (including URLs for each item and the vendor). I was unwilling to sign a contract until the course was properly put together, but agreed to step in and teach -- something -- in the interim.

Days and weeks began to go by, and no sign of the needed materials. Upon direct inquiry (to Lica Zhang), I learned they had never been ordered. They made all sorts of excuses but it was abundantly clear they had no intention of keeping their word about the course materials -- or anything else for that matter. Zhang claimed that she had nothing to do with my course, even though SHE was the one who personally promised to order/purchase the materials. Once she had me working, she washed her hands of any responsibility.

They were simply sticking a former university lecturer in the classroom, in order to calm down upset and disgruntled students and parents.

This might not seem so bad to many who read this, but really, how does one actually teach an English Literture course with NO English Literature?

I had spent lots of time and energy preparing a course syllabus, and the students were highly skilled and ready to take on challenging reading. They were cheated far more than I was.

After years of deceit from ESL employers in China, I'd finally had enough and walked. They weren't providing my housing, my visa, benefits, nothing -- only hourly pay for the course. Bye bye!

I was so happy that I had never signed a contract with them.

The other FTs I met there during my brief stint were quite unhappy as well.

I can only imagine what it must be like working at one of Ameson's remote locations. Eek!

angelfire · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 29 Location: United States

I was suspicious of Ameson, but frank d's response solidified my decision - I'm going to give them a pass. My first interview with them was for "Science Coordinator". After this initial telephone interview (which went very well), they waited two weeks to contact me. After two weeks, they downgraded the position to "Biology Instructor". After three more weeks of waiting, the position was further downgraded to Chemistry Instructor". By this time, I was highly suspicious of them and they put someone on the phone that only asked chemistry questions. Well, another month passed and I thought they passed me over, but then I got an offer and contract on my e-mail saying that I passed their "screening" and offered me a position of "Biology Instructor" with half the salary they promised in the beginning.

I passed on this offer and never looked back. This strange behavior by Chinese employers is par for China. Good luck to anyone considering them. (by the way, this was for a teaching post outside of their main headquarters in Nanjing, some small town).