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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Posts: 378
Location: Kwangchow
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 Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| denisovich wrote: |
Where did you read these positive reports?
Are they recent or a few years old? |
Your transitional phase explanation makes a lot of sense.
The posts I read are somewhere here at Dave's, circa 2007 I think. The positive ones weren't that enthusiastic, and some posters suggest that negative posts have been censored in the past. I dunno about that, but after reviewing the proposed contract, I believe that Yang-En might be fine for low-to-no-experience backpackers who like the convenience of rehashing approved lesson plans. Original lectures and media have to be pre-approved by the dean. For a business school, that's retarded.
They also charge for utilities. |
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denisovich
Joined: 12 Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Location: South-east China
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| Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 7:51 am Post subject: |
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'I believe that Yang-En might be fine for low-to-no-experience backpackers who like the convenience of rehashing approved lesson plans. Original lectures and media have to be pre-approved by the dean. For a business school, that's retarded.'
Not true. The transititional phase I referred to concerns the university administration and working conditions, it doesn't reflect the quality or professionalism of the FTs currently working there or in the last few years. Most are very experienced and well qualified. There is also great flexibilty allowed in designing your own syllabus which is generally, loosely based on the course textbook (depending on the teacher's evaluation of the textbook). In practice lectures don't have to be pre-approved by the dean, although it does say this in the guidelines. |
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flyingscotsman
Joined: 24 Mar 2010
Posts: 339
Location: Suzhou, China
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| Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 4:44 am Post subject: |
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I went to Yang En one day to visit a friend that worked there. The school is far out in the country from the city of Quanzhou. Maybe one hour on a short bus.
My friend gave it middle ratings. Not happy with the location and said the school asks for a lot of work from the teacher and most of the courses were repeated semester to semester and they weren't allowed to use or view the last teachers work.
If you like far out in the country its a good choice. |
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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Posts: 378
Location: Kwangchow
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| Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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| denisovich wrote: |
'I believe that Yang-En might be fine for low-to-no-experience backpackers who like the convenience of rehashing approved lesson plans. Original lectures and media have to be pre-approved by the dean. For a business school, that's retarded.'
Not true. The transititional phase I referred to concerns the university administration and working conditions, it doesn't reflect the quality or professionalism of the FTs currently working there or in the last few years. Most are very experienced and well qualified. |
What isn't true? That Yang-En University might be fine for lesser experienced teachers, or that pre-approving lectures, in a business school, is retarded? You've clearly suggested that some more experienced teachers have chosen to drink the Yang-En Koolaid. But there are many other experienced teachers, such as myself, who are mulling over their contract terms for this fall; for some of us truth-in-advertising is a valid consideration.
| denisovich wrote: |
| There is also great flexibilty allowed in designing your own syllabus which is generally, loosely based on the course textbook (depending on the teacher's evaluation of the textbook). In practice lectures don't have to be pre-approved by the dean, although it does say this in the guidelines. |
Speaking of equivocation, the "guidelines" that you refer to to are in the "Supplementary Terms" of a document called "Contract of Employment", to wit:
"Party B shall prepare his / her lectures in a professional manner. A course outline shall be submitted in advance to the Dean�s Office and one copy retained."
Now, any experienced China ESL teacher should already know that the main contract, from any school, is simply a boiler-plate that is loosely interpreted in an actual disagreement. We shouldn't worry too much about the language, as long as we believe that both parties are acting in good faith. I've never been in a Chinese contract that has been honored to the letter; nor do I ever expect that to happen. As you have pointed out, even this pre-approval of lectures may simply be ignored in actual practice. But can you take that to the bank?
"Supplementary Terms", or contract riders, are simply weasel clauses of advantage to one party, in this case Party A. Do you think they would attach a rider from Party B? If so, I'd like whatever it is you're smoking.
"Supplementary Terms" are not guidelines for practice, but contractual obligations. The teachers that you know have circumvented this all risked an administrator weaseling out on them, for they have also agreed that "Teachers who fail to perform their teaching duties in accordance with his/her contract and the teaching policies and procedures of Party A will be subject to fines."
Thanks for bringing this up. Now we should all be clear that both the Yang-En contract AND the Yang-En advertisement contain lies. Whether that's retarded or just typical, I'll leave to your subjective opinion. Caveat emptor? |
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shuanglu pijiu
Joined: 04 Apr 2010
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Yang-En University: Deceptive Advertising |
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| El Chupacabra wrote: |
According to Yang-En University's latest ad on Dave's: "Tax-free salary for the 10-month contract ranges from 60,000 RMB and up, paid monthly from September in 10 equal installments."
According to their FAO, via e-mail: "Frankly speaking, 5500RMB/per month is for Master degree candidates and 6000/per month is for PHD candidates.Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
Foreign Affairs Office"
Just be careful if you're thinking of working for this outfit. If they'll lie about salary, who knows what else they'll lie about! |
come on, don't you think "deceptive advertising" is a bit harsh? you can't figure out what they mean by that? either salary level is over 60,000 a year, so i fail to see what you think they were lying about.
did you really think you were going to make 60,000 a MONTH? a modicum of common sense would have told you that's absurd. |
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LanGuTou
Joined: 23 Mar 2009
Posts: 621
Location: Shandong
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 8:14 am Post subject: Re: Yang-En University: Deceptive Advertising |
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| shuanglu pijiu wrote: |
| El Chupacabra wrote: |
According to Yang-En University's latest ad on Dave's: "Tax-free salary for the 10-month contract ranges from 60,000 RMB and up, paid monthly from September in 10 equal installments."
According to their FAO, via e-mail: "Frankly speaking, 5500RMB/per month is for Master degree candidates and 6000/per month is for PHD candidates.Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
Foreign Affairs Office"
Just be careful if you're thinking of working for this outfit. If they'll lie about salary, who knows what else they'll lie about! |
come on, don't you think "deceptive advertising" is a bit harsh? you can't figure out what they mean by that? either salary level is over 60,000 a year, so i fail to see what you think they were lying about.
did you really think you were going to make 60,000 a MONTH? a modicum of common sense would have told you that's absurd. |
A modicum of common sense would suggest that the OP contacted this university expecting to be offered a salary of at least 6000 per month over a ten month contract as advertised but was offered less (by email) from the FAO. That's how I read it. |
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shuanglu pijiu
Joined: 04 Apr 2010
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 6:31 am Post subject: Re: Yang-En University: Deceptive Advertising |
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| LanGuTou wrote: |
A modicum of common sense would suggest that the OP contacted this university expecting to be offered a salary of at least 6000 per month over a ten month contract as advertised but was offered less (by email) from the FAO. That's how I read it. |
haha in hindsight, i must agree. |
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Sophisticate
Joined: 29 May 2010
Posts: 38
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| Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 1:34 am Post subject: |
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This university would appear to be entirely unprofessional, and a place which would seem suspect at best.
Last edited by Sophisticate on Sun Jun 26, 2011 2:27 am; edited 1 time in total |
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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Posts: 378
Location: Kwangchow
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| Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:57 am Post subject: Re: Yang En Is Flakey! June 2010 Beware. |
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| Sophisticate wrote: |
| They put me through the entire hiring process, said they were processing my Z Visa, I made plans to teach for them, they never wrote me again. Jordan Wang of FAO will not answer any questions. They will not respond to any inquiries. This university would appear to be entirely unprofessional, and a place which would seem suspect at best. |
As much as I agree that flakiness is underlying this, I would still encourage you to have patience. I too encountered unresponsiveness from Mr. Wang, however I've also encountered this with two other university FAOs who ultimately came through with reasonable, and legitimate, job offers. So don't let the slow exchanges discourage you, however be very very careful when you get any gut feelings that a negotiation is not quite on the up-and-up.
Also, don't worry about finding work, as the later in the summer it gets the more desperate FAOs are to fill slots. If you can handle the tentative uncertainty, you are likely to find a great job for the next academic year. Happy hunting! |
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RBJfaraway
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 27
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| Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| El Chupacabra wrote: |
| By the way, I hear the faculty housing is in a 20-story building. Wonder if that's average too, meaning no elevator! |
Wow, does that really happen? Tell me you're kidding! What's the highest building you've seen with no elevators? |
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daCabbie
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Posts: 244
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| Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:28 am Post subject: |
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| I think the rule is nine or more stories has to have an elevator. But that doesn't mean it has to work. And if you live on the 11th floor you might have to walk up the first nine to get the elevator the last two. Its good exercise. I live on the ground floor. |
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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Posts: 378
Location: Kwangchow
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| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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| RBJfaraway wrote: |
| El Chupacabra wrote: |
| By the way, I hear the faculty housing is in a 20-story building. Wonder if that's average too, meaning no elevator! |
Wow, does that really happen? Tell me you're kidding! What's the highest building you've seen with no elevators? |
I've been assigned housing on the top floor of a stairless 6-story building, and now opt for the 3rd floor of a stairless 7-story building. Some of my colleagues opted for the 4th floor. |
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Ariadne
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 960
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| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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Stairless? What would you do in case of fire?
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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Posts: 378
Location: Kwangchow
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| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Ariadne wrote: |
Stairless? What would you do in case of fire?
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Plan A is only if the fire is not in the stairway: Run downstairs with a blanket, so that I can break the glass behind the chained front door, without cutting myself.
Plan B is to jump and try to roll, hoping I only break legs and arms and not my skull or back.
Perhaps I should build a rope ladder, but I'm hedging that there will be no fire during the next 2 weeks.
Actually, your question is one of the main reasons I'm not renewing here. If a safety plan involves certain injury, that's not a good living situation. But each one of us should be able to answer your question no matter where we stay. How many of us can? |
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Ariadne
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 960
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| Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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I'm confused. If it's stairless, how is there a stairway? Is it just an open cavity in the building?
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