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funkybear

Would like to know if anyone has worked for them before and if so, what was the experience. Advantages and disadvantages....

Lobster · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 2:11 am Post subject:

You're going to hear a lot about them, and you can search this site. I worked for them for 4 years. I was happy, and several teachers have been there a long time. They are one of the biggest employers of FTs in Shanghai.

Pros:

Legal working papers
Abide by contract
Ok money
Pay in full and on time
Big outfit with lots of pull
Gets better the longer you stay

Cons:

Materials not so great
Probable split shifts and weekend work
Contract sticklers
Probably lots of unpaid travel time
First year pretty hard

Those are the basics. You could do better, but you could do a lot worse.

RED

funkybear · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 9:42 am Post subject:

Thanks Lobster for the quick response Smile

so for instance it could be very long days?? could you please briefly describe a working day from start to finish?? Also what is the going rate for a decent flat in downtown area? were you able to save a bit of that money or not due to living in shanghai? thankk you

funkybear · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 9:49 am Post subject:

oh by the way, exactly what do you mean by contract sticklers? what would be a better company to go for? I have seen and heard about many other companies out there which do not pay on time and many horror stories.....

Lobster · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 11:48 am Post subject:

By contract sticklers I mean they expect you to abide by the letter of the contract exactly. Once you sign, don't try to re-negotiate things, and understand exactly what the contract states before you sign. They will follow the contract, and expect you to do the same. Watch out for vague clauses that may be interpreted differently.

Describing my daily routine will not help you, as I believe that you will be teaching kids. That was not my job with them. You should ask to be put in touch with Mandy or Brent to get those details. I think they pay about 11k/mo. so you should be able to save 4-5k and have a decent life; depending entirely on your spending habits (estimating 3k for rent and 3k for expenses).

I don't think your days would be particularly long, maybe 6-7 hours including travel. What some teachers have told me is that you may teach in one school in the a.m. for 2 hours and then have to run across town for a p.m. class. Considering the size of Shanghai, that could take an hour or more. You may get called into meetings, but there are no office hours.

A better company would really depend on your qualifications and experience. It would also depend on what ages you like to teach and how much prep and paperwork you want to do. I won't make any recommendations. The big players are English First, Kids Castle, Wall Street and Web. Each has pros and cons.

Rent downtown? Also can't be of much help there. I don't live downtown and haven't lived there for years. Others have said about 3k a month. I have my own place so I don't pay rent. Sharing can save money, but you have to be careful that the person is compatible.

Shanghai is a great city with lots to do. I think BSK would be an ok place to get started. But again, until you complete your first year and decide to continue you are just basically another small cog in a big gear, and as one of many FTs there you will get rather impersonal treatment.

RED

funkybear · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:37 pm Post subject:

Do you need to take any teaching material with you?
what other advice would you give to someone who is considering teaching and making a move to china to a big city like shanghai??

Thanks for all the advice Lobster Smile

Lobster · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:22 pm Post subject:

Flash cards
Games
Comic Books
Stamps and Coins
Readers
Grammar reference

RED