Job Discussion Forums

JohnnyBravo1989 · Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Posts: 2

Hi

I have been offered a job at Rockies im wondering if anyone knows anything about this school?

many thanks

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

What city?

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

It depends.

Like EF, McDonald's, or Starbucks... franchises depend on who is managing that particular location.

I worked for Rockies English for one day before deciding it wasn't for me. Salary and hours were a big factor, but the nail in the coffin was teaching inside a 'fish bowl'. That is, a great big sound-proof window separating the class from the hallway. It was like Barnum and Bailey's circus with all the folks coming and gawking at the very first white person they have ever seen without the aid of a TV or magazine.

It was in 2005, and I was offered 10k a month for a max. of 25 hrs. a week, 100 RMB overtime, just for reference.

There was another guy working there, but he was at 6k a month for the same hours and only had a TESOL with a high school diploma.

Good luck.

JohnnyBravo1989 · Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Posts: 2

at Shenyang,

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Yeah Kid Castle is another chain with parent windows.
A bit disconcerting.
Shenyang is getting into the colder parts of China.
I met one of the founding brothers in Dalian in 2004. Chinese Canadian I recall. Hence 'Rockies'
He did make a big thing about the school adhering to the contract, but as others have pointed out franchises are notably variable in attitude to such detail.

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

I had an interview with the recruiter for Rockies, I found him a bit pushy and pressuring.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Shroob: I wonder was the recruiter working across all Rockies outlets or just the one?

LongShiKong · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 1082 Location: China

I was offered a position but I wasn't given much information about the school, more about Ernie, the guy who was hiring who wanted to assure me he knew how to hire: "Ask me any question you like." I never bothered to respond even when they wanted to discuss managing a school in Dalian.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I think Ernie is one of the co owners.
Dalian is i think where Rockies started. I visited the school once - seemed OK, but it was a while ago.

Mr. Leafy · Joined: 24 Apr 2012 Posts: 246 Location: North of the Wall

It's been almost four years since there was a post on this school. Can anyone offer updates?
thanks

JB140767 · Joined: 09 Aug 2015 Posts: 135

Rockies advertise on Dave's it is interesting to track their advertising timeline - every-time they start a new recruitment drive the go in with low salaries, then, assuming the uptake is poor come back a few weeks later with a higher offer and follow this pattern, presumably until their quota is full. This can be easily verified by going to Dave's job page and searching out Rockies ads. What is the moral of the story?

1) they will pay you as little as they can get away with.

2) You have a lot of leeway to negotiate.

I don't like people who always lowball, which is the vast majority in China (everywhere I guess) but there are schools, even training centers in China trying to provide quality services paying suitable teachers a higher rate. Not many but they exist.

I have just moved to Shanghai where I shall teach 3 days a week for a British uni. Looking to make some extra scratch, I contacted a bunch of training centers thru EChinacities, if they refused to discuss money before a face to face meeting I passed, if the offer was below 250 / Hr I passed. It takes a while but I eventually signed up part time with two outfits @ 300 / 333 per hour doing a day for each, still leaves me two days off.

Bottom line, Rockies will low ball you, therefore I would skip them and find a better offer, most of the well known TC's will not pay a decent wage