Job Discussion Forums

[gluzwick]

Hey, I got an offer to work for Jiangxi University. Has anyone heard of this University? There are a couple Jiangxi University so I don't know specifically which one this is... it's in Yichun City.

[frank d]

I apologize for speaking in such sweeping generalities... When I was teaching in China, two friends hailed from there. One was a lovely young woman who worked for the same school as I (in Nanjing), and the other a male teaching colleague at another school where I taught (also in Nanjing).

They themselves told me (along with numerous others) that Jiangxi province has a bad reputation among Chinese for crime and corrpution -- which is rampant thorughout China -- and so when CHINESE people label a place as "bad," it IS. Henan province is one most people (foreign and Chinese) will tell you is a "must" to avoid as well.

I hope you can get more detailed information than I can provide, but that's what I consistently heard during the 5 years I was living and teaching there (in Jiangsu, Anhui, and Sichuan).

[gluzwick]

Thanks, that actually helps a lot. I heard version of that on another site but wanted to make sure. I'm really interested in teaching in the Sichuan province. If you had any school recommendations, that would help me out tremendously. Or any school recommendations in general (South, West, Central China).

[frank d]

Hello, again. I'm glad the shred of info I offered was useful to you. Actually, I'm very sorry to say but I had a HORRIBLE experience in Sichuan -- in the small city of Panzhihua, in the southern-most part of Sichuan.

Most of my five years were spent living and teaching in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

In short, there were many wonderful things about my time in China -- mostly the people (made lots of warmhearted friends) and the food -- simply amazing, and always fresh. I hope you have a very open mind about food. I tried all sorts of things, and enkoyed most of them.

Too bad I can't say the same for the ESL business (and it is a BUSINESS) in China. No good schools/employers to recommend, no matter which province I was in.

I was a unveristy lecturer in the U.S. prior to going to China, and as I am older than most foreign teachers there, I ventured there expressly for the purpose of teaching.

What I encoutered as a foreign employee/dedicated educator was shocking.

I hope you have a wonderful experience in China. If not for the balance of good friends and wondrous cultural experiences (all outside the school) I could never have lasted there for five years.

Please be very cautious in choosing a school/employer. Ask LOTS of questions, and don't settle for stock answers such as "Don't worry about that," and "No problem." If they avoid giving clear answers to simple, appropriate, and professional questions, then avoid, avoid, avoid.

There's LOTS of traps in the ESL industry. Please feel free to send PM to me if you have questions regarding potential job offers, and contracts.

China is amazing in so many ways. Too bad the ESL business is so contaminated.

Best wishes... fd

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

i'm sure we can round up 30 or so people who each had a bad ESL experience in each of China's provinces. In that case, would the recommendation be: avoid China period? its not that bad. for every bad story on here there are about 0 good stories, and thats only because most people dont take the time to write those.

This post is just meant as a bit of balance against what frankd posted.

[frank d]

i consider my posts to be "balanced." I made a point of saying (repeatedly) that China has many wonderful things to offer, just not via ESL employment -- based on FIVE YEARS of varied employment experiences there.

It never ceases to amaze how these posters who show up to offer "balance" or rebuttal to engative comments about ESL employment in China, NEVER offer names/places where THEY recommend employment.

The OP is asking people to recommend schools. PLEASE, be my guest! I'm dying to know which employers and schools you happen to think are so terrific -- dedicated to real education and academic integrity, and professionalism.

Awaiting more of your "balanced" opinion and info...

[evaforsure]

[frank d]

From OP: "Thanks, that actually helps a lot. I heard version of that on another site but wanted to make sure. I'm really interested in teaching in the Sichuan province. If you had any school recommendations, that would help me out tremendously. Or any school recommendations in general (South, West, Central China)."

You see, they are asking for generic recommendations... and by the way, I don't buy your justification for avoidance of actual, concrete information and "good" schools. Personnel may change, but if your experience was good, what's the harm in naming the school? The deterimination whether or not to work there now is up to the perspective employee, yes?

Negative posts are made by people who've been burned and are meant to serve as a warning to those who might consider employment there -- something I wish I had gotten before I signed up with a few employers.

Such "balanced" baloney is useless and not the least bit illuminating or informative., just spoken like a recruiter.

[evaforsure]

[Hansen]

Frank d, as a professional educator, I'd be interested in hearing your view on ESL education in China. If not on this thread, send me a pm.

Incidentally, I live in Henan, the land of the pianzi.Of course, here, the Xinjiangren are the most dreaded. Henan is a good place for martial arts, being home to Shaolin temple and the Chen village. While there are some very nice people, there are multitides of barbarians. Truth is of little value. Honesty scarce, virtually nonexistent. Counterfeit money abounds and foreigners who are unaware will get it from cabbies, shopkeepers, greengrocers.

FTs are now limited to 6 month visas. My school is cutting back on English courses.

This is a good place to avoid for newcomers, unless martial arts is on their agenda

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[frank d]

Just more BS, blah, blah, blah... as if I would have any interest in reading/reviewing your posts of the past 3-4 months, especially if they echo the ones you've posted on this thread. Empty, boring... bye bye!

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[frank d]

Excuse me, you've served up what, 287 POSTS since joining in 2009??? Based on what you've contributed to this thread, why on earth would I -- or anyone -- want to review such an avalanche of non-committal nonsense? I think you are the one who is truly showing himself here. Hit the "red" button? Just because someone disagrees with you? You sound a lot like North Korea's Kim Jong-Il.

... and being a self-proclaimed "ever-changing cleric" is a slippery slope indeed.

You and "evaforsure" need to go back to your various, unnamed "sweet spots," and as many Chinese students often say: "Be happy every day!"

[evaforsure]