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Questions about Aston English School

 
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JasonT



Joined: 15 May 2009
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:21 am    Post subject: Questions about Aston English School Reply with quote

Hi,

I just got offered a job by Aston English School and I wanna know what people have to say about it, so if u worked there or just what you heard about it?

For people that worked there I have a few questions. 1. What were the accommodations like?(I know they wouldn't be great, but still) 2. Are there any good areas to go to from the locations they offer or all they all the same?? The utensils you get is that just it?? Is there internet in your room or just at school for a limited time?? I guess to sum up what were living conditions like and how much did you have to pay each month for your apartment?? Do they pay for your flight over or just for your flight back?? Lastly how was the school in general??

Now this isn't about Aston English School, but China in general. I wanna go over as China is the only place I can teach with a college diploma and TESOL. I would like to know what I should expect and be brutally honest. Though I ain't expecting much. Also what are the costs for basic grocery items just like an example would be cool. Also this may be a weird question, but are you able to make money off this or is it just for the experience really and you are kinda living the poor man life(this can relate to working for Aston as well) and lastly was it a fun experience ?
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Totemic



Joined: 05 Feb 2009
Posts: 118
Location: Nanjing

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You really ought to do a search buddy, there's loads of info on this board about every question you've asked. Just type "Aston" into the search engine and you'll find heaps of stuff.
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JasonT



Joined: 15 May 2009
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have been using it and found some good info. I would just like the specific questions I asked to be answered that's all.
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vikuk



Joined: 23 May 2007
Posts: 1842

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I wanna go over as China is the only place I can teach with a college diploma and TESOL.

well this kind of sums up the aston type set-up - need white face more than teacher, dance monkey dance!!!!!!
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Totemic



Joined: 05 Feb 2009
Posts: 118
Location: Nanjing

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

JasonT wrote:
I have been using it and found some good info. I would just like the specific questions I asked to be answered that's all.


Fair enough, I'll tell you what I know:

Quote:
1. What were the accommodations like?(I know they wouldn't be great, but still) 2. Are there any good areas to go to from the locations they offer or all they all the same?? The utensils you get is that just it?? Is there internet in your room or just at school for a limited time?? I guess to sum up what were living conditions like and how much did you have to pay each month for your apartment?? Do they pay for your flight over or just for your flight back?? Lastly how was the school in general??


1. My first gig in China was with Aston, a few years ago. I got placed in Taiyuan, Shaanxi Province: 6 million people and maybe 100 foreigners. Apartments were rudimentary (ie not beautiful to the eye) but had all the basics (western toilet, fridge, micowave, washing machine, air con).

I lucked out and got to live alone. Officially, Aston's policy is shared housing, so you should expect to have a roommate.

This can be a bit spooky, because Aston's hiring standards are low, and they attract a lot of social deviants...

2. Most locations are basically the same: situated in outlying areas with very little international experience. In most Aston locations, you'll have to get used to being stared at/ pointed at/ laughed at by locals, etc.

3. Living conditions are not great not bad, I found that Aston made a stable enough 'entry point' into China. As mentioned, their standards are low, which means that expectations are low = easy work, just monkey dancing and talking gibberish.
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Sonnibarger



Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 320
Location: Wuhan

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In Wuhan they will farm you out to a ton of different schools... lots of time on the bus... pay less than most other training schools..
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JasonT



Joined: 15 May 2009
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hmm, ok. I guess from what Totemic was saying is that it's Not a great school , but I could do worse. Well if anyone else has anything to add it would be much appreciated.

Well a question for Totemic is how much did you have to pay for taxes and apartment bill(gas,electicity, etc.). Also internet I guess is only at the school, any idea on how much a local service provider is??
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nickpellatt



Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 1522

PostPosted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I know you have asked for answers to specific questions...but your questions are a bit too general for the detailed answers you seek. Aston have more than one school in more than one town...they may differ wildly, as will accomodations and standards.

Re flights...doesnt the contract you have been offered specify this? Often though...its just a flight home thats paid for...

I just wanted to add that whilst you state your expectations are low to none...you will probably find things much better than you imagine...living conditions arent the same as at home, but they are very tolerable for most people...again this depends a lot on where you are of course.

Cost of living is very very low ... you mention costs of groceries, but in honesty, when I was in China I didnt worry about such things because salaries are enough to eat out pretty much all the time. This doesnt extend to eating in western restaurants ... but you can pretty much take every meal outside in Chinese places, and still earn enough to smoke and drink yourself to death if thats your thing.

Im sure you will have a great time
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