Job Discussion Forums

[pompomouse]

I am looking for recommended private English institutes to work for in Hong Kong. I have taught ESL in a private institute before in Korea and so I am aware of the shady characters that come with some of these institutions and their undesirable hours. I would like to know of the ones you would recommend based on location, expectations for teachers, pay, paying on time and regularly, visa sponsorship etc.

[shmeagain]

It depends on what you're looking for - loads of variables in your post so if you give us some more info more people would be able to give you their opinion.

Adults or kids. Small groups (5 - 10) in centres or full blown 40 Ss per class in schools (as some centres send you to schools to teach).

What would you consider "undesirable hours"?

Lastly, what quals. do you have as this could make a difference?

If you're looking for ones to avoid, have a look at my post on Language School Convictions it's the one with NO replies...

OR try the Job Information Journal on this site.

I know you're asking about good ones, but it seems no one wants to go out on a limb?

What about the big companies like English for Asia? Anyone out there working for them?

[shmeagain]

See I got a few replies - now I feel whole again! People do care after all.

Come back and rant about your centre Ger - all is forgiven...

[prplfairy]

I think the lack of response can be attributed to the fact that there are very few quality learning centers out there. This stems from the very nature of their enterprise. A learning center is a business and the point of a business is to make money. So, you must understand going in that the education of the pupils and the welfare of the employees will always take a backseat to the bottom line. Most of these centers are propped up by investors and investors are not interested in hearing, "Well we're not making much money but the kids are getting a world class education" which is exactly the goal of every government school on the planet. Investors would much rather hear, "We are raking in the dough and the kids are getting a half-arsed education." And if you want to keep your investors you better tell them what they want to hear. This also assists in lining the pockets of the managers as well, so from everyone�s point of view but yours as the teacher there is really no interest in maintaining anything other than all around minimal standards. .

So to make a long story short every learning center out there takes as many short cuts as possible while still being able to maintain customers. This comes in many forms from things like terrible materials to denied mandatory benefits to not paying salaries and having to go through months and months of labour tribunal hearings and warnings to the employer just to get what you rightfully deserve.

So I would say do not work for a learning center but in the NET scheme or though a direct contract with a school as it is the only way to get what you deserve. When all you want is fair pay and treatment for the work you do and these centers repeatedly are not capable of doing it, why would anyone other than those with no other options even consider it?

If you want you can PM me and I will tell you some terrible centers and one or two that are just alright if you know how to play your cards.

[Susie]

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=16151&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=ready+learn

Ready To Learn is a great place to work. Elaine Shannon is a wonderful woman.


http://www.emb.gov.hk/index.aspx?langno=1&nodeid=480

Besides lists of secondary, primary, and kindergarten schools, there are lists of registered education centres - some of which may be great or unbearable.

[AndyinHK]

While it may be nice to get a direct contract with a school, many are asking for a pass on the LPAT. One would already need to be here to take the test.

[shmeagain]

See that's the problem, Susie mentions RTL. Good posts and other posts about them that makes you wonder.

You never know, some people with legitimate gripes, others with a bit of a vendetta.

Different priorities as well. For example, I worked for a place who never paid on time but is still being run by two really great people - personally and professionaly. Due to the reasons Prplfairy mentioned, they cut costs here and there and most of the time I had to throw away their materials and use my own.

But I could see they were always trying and were always concerned and ready to listen to ideas - even though they had no time to act on them.

Then I've worked for people who are more professional, pay almost on time ("the accountant took the cheques with him and he only comes to the office twice a month" - have you got any good ones to share? )

but they're in it for the money ONLY and it shows. I wouldn't want them near kids or a classroom.

Then again that's me - so my criteria for good would differ from someone else.

An open question: I see prplfairy asked people to PM her/him for names. When is it acceptable to post a centre/school/person's name?