Job Discussion Forums

kungfupanda · Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Posts: 24

Has anybody worked here in or know somebody who has?

If I am accepted I will fly over there and then I'll have to do a demo after 2 day training to see whether I am hired. This scares me a lot because I risk the chance that they may not like my teaching style after already paying for an expensive flight.

So does anyone think this is abnormal or is it common procedure?

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Its kindy right?

My friend left Yangshuo and went to Beijing with his fiancee in Dec 2008 and stayed with them until Feb/March this year. He then went back to the UK with his newly married wife.

He had a good time I think...and also had to do a demo. I dont think its too strange, my Yangshuo school also asks for demo lessons now. They are giving you two days training first, so I wouldnt worry too much, Id laways be confident of acing a demo.

I dont have specifics, but my friend was in constant email contact and never made massive complaints about his job....it was his first kindy gig and he seemed to quite like it!

kungfupanda · Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Posts: 24

Apparently they pay 5,000 RMB a month in Beijing. I think this is very low, should I just pass on this company?

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Im pretty sure he was on more than 10k. I know he managed to save a lot, pay for his wedding, honeymoon in the Maldives....if they offer 5k in BJ, absolutely pass.

Gtomas · Joined: 03 Jun 2010 Posts: 100

I to have been looking at Expertise. The pay looks low and I've hard some bad things about the placements--but I've heard bad things about all the placements.

It seems like there are much better deals out in the sticks of China, while ein Beijing/big cities they are less favorable... I have some contacts in Beijing so I'd like to go there.

Someone who has taught abroad said they thought it was weird Expertise would only pay 1,000 RMB towards a flight.

I don't know. Anyone have any advice? I can post the contract here if it helps.

donb2222 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 134

5K a month in Beijing IS very low, and 1K for airfare is ridiculous.
8K or more for airfare is typical.

eclipse12 · Joined: 03 Nov 2010 Posts: 18

I'm looking into the company as well. Anyone have any updated info?

The 5,000rmb a month is if you choose to have a free apartment. Otherwise I believe the pay is 9,000rmb

The 1,000 airfare is 1,000USD not RMB, so the airfare bonus is reasonable.

How bad is 5,000rmb if you have a free apartment and free lunch everyday. I imagine it's still pretty low but is it still possible to live off of it if you are smart with your money?

The Mellow Peril · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 4

As far a money driven middle men are concerned there are a lot worse out there. Yes they are a business first and foremost, but they understand the need to protect their sources of income.

The demo system of hiring, whilst I agree with, could be better planned out with regards to which people are sent to which schools as I know many people who found the process a little degrading.

The base salary is 5300 with accom included and visa services/fees but not Medicals. If you are not looking at saving/sending money home/ being a Sanlitun sexpat then you can have a very comfortable lifestyle on this. It raises to 9k for no assistance with owt.

One of their plus points are the assistants who work for the company. They will literally do anything from arranging a cleaner to picking you up and taking you to the hospital if need be.

sainthood · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 5:35 am Post subject: CAUTION! Expertise....

One of our latest colleagues here was done over by Expertise in Beijing.

They currently have his passport (refusing to return), and told him 'what to say' when the police ask certain questions - ie, he was working illegally!

He was extremely lucky he has friends here who could help him out with something legit!

I will get him to answer here himself ASAP... but for now, KungfuPanda, be cautious!

The Mellow Peril · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 4

How was he 'done over' out of interest? If you meet the (pretty basic) pre-requisite for a z visa they will get one for you. After all it's in their best interests to have you tied to them for a year.

I know many who are taking the revolving f visa charade willingly because they do not meet Z requirements, or they have another agender.

I find it hard to believe your mate would have travelled half way around the world without checking the requirements for a work visa which means he knew he would be working illegally. If that's a route you choose to take then of course you need to play the game.

Apologies to him if I'm off the Mark, but I can't see any other scenarios here.

sainthood · Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2010 2:51 am Post subject:

I will get him to post a reply - or thesis - on what happened, but as a possibility...

It's not actually in "their best interests to have you tied to them for a year". It's in their best interests to get someone over and to sign a contract, get paid by whichever school wants them here whatever sum of money they are paid as a commission, and pay off a few officials for less than the actual value of a visa, to make more money than doing things the right and proper way.... and tell the foriegner what to say when the police come looking. As well... keeping the passport allows them to do other nefarious, and profitable, things. Smile

The 'best interests' you suggest are only in regards to legitimate businesses.

But, as I said, I shall get him to post on here himself.....

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

5000 would be a decent housing allowance in Beijing. Of course they'll need to include a decent salary too.

Insist on a proper working visa and guaranteed airfare and per deim if for any reason they refuse to hire you. Nobody is stupid enough to pay out of pocket for a job interview 9,000 mile away, right?

I'd run from this deal. But, if you are really. really desperate (i.e., a fugitive who didn't graduate high school in a third tier country and not a native speaker of English) then this might be your (last) option.

Cheers.

sainthood · Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 4:44 am Post subject:

Tea-time... Northern Iraq is after teachers - and much better pay ... :p

eclipse12 · Joined: 03 Nov 2010 Posts: 18

Anyone know about the locations for the schools Expertise works with. They don't put you in a school until after the training and demo so it's hard to know where in Beijing you may end up working.

Anyone have any experience on the typical locations of their schools? I have a feeling I may go out there and end up in some small middle of nowhere area in Beijing.

They list the schools on their website, can anyone look at the list of schools and know what the general locations of them are?