Job Discussion Forums

[checkmate]

Here is the scoop on Metro.
It started somewhere around 4-5 years ago with the original head office in Chongqing.
It has 3 owners Jason, Alan and Richard.
It has branches in Chongqing, Chengdu, Suzhou, Dongguan, Xiamen, Foshan and 3 schools in Shenzhen
The 3 schools in Shenzhen are in Luohu, Futian and Nanshan.
The school has a national HR department for hiring foreign teachers headed by Helen Zhou.
The academic department nationally is headed by Donald Si.
It has an R&D department headed by Jude Luo (ex Com-Com)
The school has recently changed its name to Meten International English.
The salary in Shenzhen is 10,000 plus 2000 housing allowance BEFORE tax. After probationary period the salary goes up by 2000.
The teaching schedule is 25 x 55 minute classes per week but you must be present at school for 40 hours per week.
There is a finger scanner clock in system. Failure to clock in or late clock results in penalties.
The class types are as follows; Private classes up to 4 students, salon classes up to 10 students, VIP 1 on 1. Most of these lessons have a lesson plan and although they are not great it eliminates a lot of teacher prep time. There are also regular social talks (like English Corner), Conversation classes (similar to social talk) complimentary classes, AV (audio visual classes) and some activity classes. Aside from the private, salon and VIP classes all other classes are prepared by the teacher.
All standard lessons are prepared by the R&D department.
There are 2 days off per week although they are never on the weekend and are not consecutive unless it is in your contract.
Class schedules come out usually a day before so sometimes you don't know what you will teach til you get to school.
The teachers have a single office and are required to share desks and computers. The school has an extremely high level of Chinese staff which include S.A (study advisers)Chinese teachers, as well as administrative staff.
Each school has a Chinese teaching supervisor as well as a Chinese T.A (teacher assistant)
The function of these 2 positions is more administrative and monitoring classes, and especially foreign teachers.
The good
The schools are clean and presented well from a sales point of view.
There is a mini cinema in the school where movies are played all day to help student improve their listening.
The school also operates the ELLIS system for those of you who know it.
All the S.A, T.A and school supervisor speak English with most of them being very good.
The students are mainly adults.
Salary is usually regular.
THE BAD
The school is still applying for its licence to have foreign teachers so the work visa's all come out of Chongqing which makes them illegal in any other place in China regarding work.
The administration like in most schools is very disorganised so getting things done is difficult.
The R&D department is all Chinese so the lessons are inappropriate or just bad.
The teachers office is cramped due to the many S.A and teachers who need to use it.
The school does not have too many academic resources.
Although the school offically says its for adults the offical age of students was from 14 up but now students as young as 11 are being accepted.
There is no program for teenagers so they are put into the same classes as the adults where the material is inappropriate.
There are always problems with salary but not in getting it just getting the right amount. The finance department is a law unto itself.
Conclusion
This is operated and managed the same way as most "training centers" where the majority of focus is on income rather than academic credibility.
Quote "We are a business not a school"
The school is trying slowly to improve some area's but withe the RMB being the bottom line it will be a long process.
We all know this is the situation with most centers of this type and it won't change tomorrow.
F/Ts are a commodity to use to increase income. No more, despite any academic qualifications that teacher has. A back packer gets the same as a qualified teacher because of his foreign face not qualification.
Meten is no different than other such centers just repacking the same stuff.
Same song new tune.
I hope this has been informative.

[chrisd]

checkmate. Very informative and thanks so much. I cannot understand why anyone would teach in China. I hear nothing but bad news coming from FT's there! What am I missing?

[DistantRelative]

This place in many ways sounds eerily similar to "Royal English" here in Xi'an.

[chrisd]

I have actually looked for good news. Any good news. I can't find posts that tell of the really good places to work in China, places where FT's are well treated and are happy to be there.

How come? Is there a string on this site that lists the good places to work and I just haven't found it?

[DistantRelative]

Your obviously not looking hard enough. Theres a lot of positive information posted about particular schools here.

IMO mines an awesome school, but I wouldn't name it. I don't want the competition. In my case, this year I'm assisting with the recruiting, and I've PM'ed a couple of individuals here on Daves that I knew were looking for work. I think others also PM from time to time. In the case of many of the better schools, over time, words gotten out, and they don't have difficulty recruiting teachers, so you aren't likely to hear about em. I'm going into the third year with my school.

Unless we know them personally, many of us are reluctant to recommend teachers to schools. If I recommend you, it's like putting my stamp on you, and if you turn out to be c*ap then it reflects negatively on me.

Also your success may require some time. If your constantly bouncing from city to city, it may be difficult to improve your situation. Pick a city you think you might like, spend some time there, do some networking, build a reputation. Thats what worked for me, and I'm sure some others can echo that.

With the restrictions this year I know many places are having difficulty finding teachers, so you may get lucky.


Zhuhao,


Shawn

[chrisd]

I completely understand. I think what's happened with me is that I receive a contract, check out the school on Dave's, only to find lots of negative info about that particular school.

This is a new ballgame for me and just a bit frustrating. I have a Master's in Education and have been the principal of a private school. But, none of that necessarily makes me a good teacher for your school or any other, for that matter.

I also realize that those of you working in schools you like, can't recommend someone you don't know. If you knew someone you could recommend, you would try to have him or her come to your school.

No hard feelings. Things will work out for me. And, thanks for being honest.

CD

[DistantRelative]

Chris you sound like a really good guy, certainly qualified. Do you have a preference as to which city your hoping to work in, preference for students (adults, high/middle school, or primary), salary requirements, etc..? Get some specifics out and maybe someone will contact you.


Zhuhao,


Shawn

[chrisd]

Thanks for the kind remark.

If I could choose, I would pick a warm, dry area. I was raised at the ocean, so that would work, too. My preference is to work with adults and in a university setting, if possible. If it matters, I have owned several businesses and an certified to teach business English. But, I like kids, too.

As to salaries, I've heard so many different ideas about this, I don't know what to say. What I'd really like is to see a contract that is honorable. That would be nice.

Picky, picky, I know. But you asked...

[SnoopBot]

[chrisd]

The "ugly truth" seems to be what I've heard from just about everyone. I really thank everyone for your time. CD

[Mark Beckman]

Some of my friends work at the Chengdu branch and have no problems. About 100 per hour I believe. Been there while I wait for them, modern spacious glass teaching rooms, pool table and big TV/video in the waiting area. Hot Chicks.