Job Discussion Forums

icedout921 · Joined: 13 Sep 2010 Posts: 17

Hey everyone I am new to this site and was wondering if anyone has heard of this school in China? I am looking for my first ESL job and of course I am extremely nervous. I want to pick the right school and make sure everything is legit. As I google them nothing comes up so that gets me a little nervous. I have interviewed with them via video chat on skype and everything seems great and I feel I would take this position despite the salary not being the best and having shared accommodation. It is a small city but it seems like a comfortable place to make the transition.

The school is in Jining, Shandong Province. Any help would be appreciated.

Tetris · Joined: 11 Feb 2010 Posts: 24

I live in Jining. I have not heard of the school you mention, but I've been around long enough to know that several places are either opening or hiring (did not catch the names). It would not at all surprise me if this school were one of them.

I warn you, however, unless your primary source of joy in life comes from pool halls, bars, and KTV you are liable to be very bored here. You will be warmly welcomed by our tight-knit community of <20 foreigners, most of whom seem to enjoy it here far more than I do.

Also, how long were you thinking of staying? Any reason you chose Jining?

seamallowance · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 4:39 am Post subject:

I am in the exact same boat as icedout921.

Go figure.

icedout921 · Joined: 13 Sep 2010 Posts: 17

Thanks for the response. They did tell me the school was new so that could be the case.

As far as fun I was looking for a more laid back setting and to soak up the chinese culture. The school actually found me after I posted my resume on this site. Is this a place you would recommend living? I also have a offer from a school in Guangzhou.

icedout921 · Joined: 13 Sep 2010 Posts: 17

seamallowance · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 4:51 am Post subject:

"Jasmine" is sending me an invitation letter (she sent me a .jpg of it; it looks official) and a contract by FedEx.

There is one video and a blog by someone who taught from Aston there. It appears to be a large and very dull city. It also will be bitterly cold this winter. (I'm a California boy. We do "do" winter.)

As they say that they're expanding fast, I wonder how many other foolish newbies they are bringing in besides us.

icedout921 · Joined: 13 Sep 2010 Posts: 17

ya i didnt get the fex ex contract yet but got the pictures and interview via skype. It looked great and I am guessing it is legit, just have to decide if a small cold city is for me Smile

.

Tetris · Joined: 11 Feb 2010 Posts: 24

Hello,

I'm sure the school is legit, especially if they were willing to engage you, et cetera. Jining IS boring; I suppose what you get out of this experience depends on your motivations for coming to China in the first place. If you're looking for a small town where you can practice the language and watch authentic Chinese life go by, this is exactly what you need. Winters are apparently quite harsh everywhere in China; this is not unique to Jining.

If you, like me, need social support, people to talk to in English, and feel depressed without natural surroundings, then maybe this steel and concrete jungle isn't the best place. Though believe me, there are many worse places to be.

seamallowance · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:33 pm Post subject:

icedout921 · Joined: 13 Sep 2010 Posts: 17

seamallowance · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 9:26 pm Post subject:

icedout921 · Joined: 13 Sep 2010 Posts: 17

Well it was described to me by jasmine as a small city. Maybe I misunderstood what she meant. She may of been referring to the lack of things to do. I am not sure.

Tetris · Joined: 11 Feb 2010 Posts: 24

It's definitely a small city. I was under the impression there were only two million of us, maybe more in the surrounding prefecture (also called Jining). Actually, I was under the impression that Jining proper had only about 200 000. Ah, statistics!!

seamallowance · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:26 pm Post subject:

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

I now have their contract in my hands.
I have a visa.
I have a R/T ticket.
I have my life on hold.

I am going to a city that is so small that you cannot book a flight to it via Travelocity. They say that JNG doesn't exist.

I am going to a city that is not mentioned anywhere in the Lonely Planet guidebook. (and yes, I realize that this means little)

I am going to a city where I know nobody.

Waaaah!!!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Welcome to the reality of Planet Earth. Every third person is from China. The outside world is still astonishingly ignorant of the Middle Kingdom !