Job Discussion Forums

Matson · Joined: 20 Mar 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Canada

I am entertaining an offer from WEB International in Qingdao. Without going into any specifics, I'm looking to see if anyone else has any experience with this school. Good, bad, or indifferent. FYI, I'm ESL certified, modest formal ESL teaching experience in the past year, no degree. Can I expect to be treated as all newbies?

slareth · Joined: 29 Jun 2010 Posts: 82 Location: Shandong

Matson · Joined: 20 Mar 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Canada

"...based on your educational background and working experience, you are expected to come on a L-visa(Tourist visa) or F-visa(Business visa)..., We would suggest that the easiest way for you is to apply a Tourist(L) visa from the nearby Chinese Embassy. And once you arrive in Qingdao, China, we will be responsible for your visa... Notice: Please do not mention anything irrelevant to Tourism when filling out the application form for a tourist visa. You might consider the service of professional visa agent/company back home whose main job is to help facilitate the visa application by charging a fee."

I got this response from the "recruiter" representing WEB along with a generic contract that only fills in the blanks under the $$ area. I think they want me to sign it to get the May 1 start. Based upon all the wisdom collected on this forum I think I'll take a pass and look elsewhere.

It appears I am destined for a mill......anyone know a half-decent one to crack into the wonderful world on ESL in China!

Dr. Dow · Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 24

Try Wall Street English. It has a better reputation than Web or EF.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I think Wall Street are quite strict on the degree. I applied to them and was advised I didnt qualify at that moment in time. They request that applicants hold a degree, a CELTA/Trinity or equivalent, and have the 2 years work experience.

Whilst I have a Trinity and a degree, my BA was done quite recently and I didnt satisfy the two year work experience as it MUST BE POST DEGREE. I completed my BA late 2009, so I was invited to re-apply late this year.

OP - I think you will find it will get harder and harder without a degree, might be worth investigating a distance learning option if you intend staying in EFL.

Little Tiger · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 1:49 pm Post subject:

If you have no degree then take what you can get, once you are in China there a few 'options' you could consider.

Web is a franchise school so branches will vary from place to place, QingDao is a lovely city although cold in the winter..

Matson · Joined: 20 Mar 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Canada

My friends at WEB have not gotten back to me about a counter-proposal.....I was advised that they expect to be negotiated with!?

They are advertising the exact same job online at three times the salary what I have been offered........I think I'll just let these guys go and move on to greener pastures.

Does anyone know of a site that posts all the private (mill) schools or (variations of such) in China?? I have been there many times an thoroughly enjoy many aspects of the culture and am constantly fascinated by the environment. I'm also a Chinese history nut, and I believe that is the cause of my ongoing infatuation;)