Job Discussion Forums

[Nodle]

Hi there!

It is really great I can share my opinion with you and seek some knowledge on this forum. I'm interested in enrolling TEFL course organised by DDDragon School located on Zaoyang Road, Shanghai in July 11, 2011.
I've been corresponding with ALEX - office manager, I suppose, for some time now and he seems to be quite reliabe a person. Has anyone of you heard anything about him and this school? From what I found here on this forum I understand that the school is well-organised and that the course is worthwhile. Has anyone been through some different experiences in Shanghai?

Also, ALEX told me I need to pay a deposit of $600 so that he will be able to reserve a seat for me on the course. I wouldn't like to be cheated if it is scam (I know there is some). Have you got any knowledge on this subject?

And one more thing. What is the reality of getting a teaching job in Shanghai in the case of non-native teachers? Would I stand any chance of getting one? When I get the certificate it will be September. Do schools in Shanghai seek teachers at that time of the year or will I have to wait months untill the school year begins?
Does DDDragon School assisst me in finding a position? They've assured me they will? What is it like in reality?

I know this post contains loads of questions , but this is what my present state of mind is like so any information or advice on this subject (Dragon School and Alex) will be appreciated.

Good luck to anyone who has completed TESOL course with satisfaction and fulfilled their ambition to teach better..
Cheers,
KINGA

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I'm sorry. Why are you paying for a job again?

[kev7161]

No, he's paying for a TEFL course, hoping to get a job soon after completion.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Ah, I see.

Do you have a university degree to go with your soon-to-have certificate? Shanghai is very strict about employing foreigners. There are quite strong rules that seem to be applied even stronger in Beijing and Shanghai than other places.

Native English speaker with a passport from one of the following countries: US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland plus 2 years of teaching experience and an age restriction of I believe over 22 and under 60.

[DixieCat]

Why not just do a course from a real educational facility.

[sunnyanna]

You can get TEFL certified through many institutions, both in a class setting and online. I haven't heard much about DD Dragon but the things I have heard have not been very positive. If they ask you to put down $600 to reserve your seat in the class, I would not do it. Anything in China that asks you to pay in advance is not good.

[Legeril]

I did a TEFL course at GLV in Zhuhai, they asked me to pay a deposit in advance of $500 and it was a great course. Although GLV was only a host school, the course was by TEFL International - I would highly recommend them.

[The Edge]

[Nodle]

I highly appreciate all your opinions... Still looking forward to more...
Cheers!!

[problembears]

Hmm I wouldn't pay for the DD Dragon TEFL course...I wouldn't give them a deposit either. I did a TEFL course at a Shanghai DD Dragon branch in September. I'm not sure if it's the same one. I didn't have to pay for anything for that, they actually paid me - they covered my hotel and train fare while I was there. It was a 5 day course. It was not the most organized but it was a decent enough (if very basic) introduction to teaching ESL. I'd expect a lot more if I was paying for it.

[Big Poppa Pump]

If you really want to do a TEFL cert in Shanghai, why not do the CELTA that is offered there?

It is pricey, but you get name value and actual useful stuff out of the course if I'm not mistaken. I've never taken one myself, but I have taken one of those dodgy little certs.

Dodgy.... dodgy.. dodgy..

Waste of time and money.