Job Discussion Forums

margittarget · Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 7 Location: USA

Hello all,

My name is Margit Hammer. I have just been hired to teach with Expertise Education located in Beijing, China this coming September. To get started, I am fresh out of college. In fact, I haven't even received my physical degree yet, though I am done with all the classes. I was surprised by how quickly and easily I was able to get what sounds like a good job so fresh out of school. Can anyone on here tell me a little bit about what it's like living and working in Beijing, especially if you have worked with this particular company? Be your experience good or bad, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks,

Margit Smile

sojourner · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 4:32 am Post subject:

Hi Margit,

Congratulations on completing your studies - and, getting a job offer so soon !

If you want to know more about the school in question, as well as about life in Beijing, you would probably get far more responses if you were to submit your queries to the two China fora, here at Dave's.

Peter

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I dont have first hand experience, but a close friend of mine went to Beijing and worked with them for almost 10 months and it was fine. I believe they are an agency that place people with kindergartens? If so, it must be the same people.

They managed to get him a Z visa and RP even though he is degree-less, and he never had problems getting paid on time etc.

I dont have any more details really. He has since moved on and has married, and doesnt keep in touch as much as he should these days! There is nothing overly negative or any red flags for this company though. Good luck and enjoy it!

idrinkthewater · Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 10

I was just contacted by this same company and would appreciate any follow-ups on your story.

kukiv · Joined: 13 Dec 2009 Posts: 328

Not everyone seems very enthusiastic about this company
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/review/index.pl?read=29632

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I have to say....the negative posts that often appear, and are linked to by Kukiv, are best taken with a pinch of salt IMO. Of course, you may also take my comments with the same pinch of salt LOL!

My friend went there in December 2008, and stayed until Jan 2010 when he moved back to the UK with his wife.

He arrived there without a degree or any sort of TEFL cert, and they did secure him a Z visa and RP after a visit out of China, which he was happy to do anyway. He had been in China on an F visa for around 18 months and was just over the moon they could make him legal!

I was in Hainan Province with him for 18 months, and house shared with him...if he says they are OK than that would be OK for me. Infact, I am working in my current position on his recommendation too.

I take negative comments with a pinch of salt because in my (fairly limited)experience...too many people are just not suited to a) life in China and b) ESL teaching. Im more negative about FTs than Chinese employers at the moment, as I have just had a fellow FT do a midnight run just because she ....well, I cant see any reason for her to leave to be honest! And she may well pop up on a forum moaning later!

Sure, there are probably a huge number of dodgy employers in China..but I sometimes feel they are outnumbered by the irresponsible FTs who are here on a whim and a prayer without any relevant teaching skills, and without the balls to adapt and accept life in another country.