Job Discussion Forums

Luvinlife · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 6

It's me again. I have an additional job offer that I was wondering if anyone can give me any insight on. Good , bad , etc. Has anyone ever heard of this group before.

This is the offer

It is our pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into the UCE (US-CHINA Education and Culture Exchange Center) One year and TESL Summer Program.

The Program is a unique educational experience, which combines teaching English, studying the Chinese language, and taking part in a meaningful cultural exchange. Beside teaching and learning at schools, you will have excursions to Beijing and other cities. Your round-trip ticket from the U.S. to China, in-country transportation in China, room, and board are all covered by the program.

With a fee of $250. And a salary of $4000 RBM a month.

I have one major problem. My teaching location is unknow and I will not know until the end of the month.

Also in the contract it reads " I understand that the placement assignment is subject to changed based on program needs at any time during this period of the program."

I am supposed to send the $250 upfront. Does this sound right?

Please give advice this is my first teaching job and I dont know who to trust.

Tessio · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:25 pm Post subject:

I am not exactly sure, but I think that this program does not pay you to teach. It is a cultural awareness exchange.

As for the other program you asked about, I've read that it is legitimate but I do not have any personal knowledge. I am new to this as well, but I suggest that you look at the www.abroadchina.org and www.chinatefl.com websites.

I found my summer job via AbroadChina and then a regular job in September via ChinaTEFL.

If you go this way, you do not have to pay any fees. I am not sure if the fee you mentioned includes airfare to Beijing. If not, then you would spend about $1000 air and $1200 program. You could easily find a job where all you have to do is get to China. I am required to pay my way there, but will receive the money spent at the end of the year. No other fees, except for around $100 for the initial Z visa.

Not that my opinion matters, BUT, if the $1200 includes visa fees, airfare and 3 weeks in Beijing. It sounds good. Have fun.

Tessio · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:40 pm Post subject: Sichuan

I am not sure of your objectives, but if you are interested in teaching in Sichuan Province, famous for its spicy food and Panda Bears, there is a company called Sichuan Ruide. They are listed on ChinaTEFL. They contacted me recently and said that they were going to begin the procedures for placing me in a school for September. I lined something else up, but the point is - they are looking now. Look into it. They do not charge anything for their services. In fact, there are other services known as Recruiters who do not charge any fees to you and you can pick a school/location. I communicated with Angelina's and ESL Consultant, but found my jobs directly without an agent. Also, I'll be earning more than 4k per month. Good Luck.

Luvinlife · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 6

UCE (US-CHINA Education and Culture Exchange Center) One year and TESL Summer Program.

The Program is a unique educational experience, which combines teaching English, studying the Chinese language, and taking part in a meaningful cultural exchange. Beside teaching and learning at schools, you will have excursions to Beijing and other cities. Your round-trip ticket from the U.S. to China, in-country transportation in China, room, and board are all covered by the program.

With a fee of $250. And a salary of $4000 RBM a month.

I will be receiving a salary and the round-trip airline ticket will be covered by the program.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

You are going to fork over some hard-earned dough and you don't even know where in God's name they would be putting you? For all we know you could be somewhere in the middle of no man's land. Then there is the "changes" that can take place. Sounds like they are just looking for another sucker. You are better off spending some time and effort and look for a school yourself.

Norman Bethune · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 731

Employment Rule #1: Never pay to get a job. The Job is supposed to pay you.

Keath · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 7:13 pm Post subject:

Avoid this organization.. I've written volumes about these guys.

Midlothian Mapleheart · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 623 Location: Elsewhere

Edited to remove offensive content.

Middy

chengdude · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 294

OK, maybe I'm missing something here, but isn't this just a very creative cover for a job recruiter? So creative, in fact, that they are asking you to pay them to do their job and will probably ask the school at which you are placed to do the same.

-Sure, you will be paid 4000RMB a month because that is a common salary for a middle school or a university in China.

-Sure, your roundtrip flight will be taken care of because that is a provision found in many, if not most, contracts.

-Sure your room and board will be provided because everyone provides room and board.

-Sure you will "combine teaching and learning" because many contracts promise those "3 free Chinese classes per week" that everyone wonders what happened to after they arrive. And, of course, you are free to pursue your language study with all your new-found students/language-exchange partners.

-Sure, your in-country transport will be taken care of because that is often covered in a contract -or- the school will be close enough to a major city to simply arrange a car. Besides, you're paying them the equivalent of 2000 RMB...more than enough to get you where you're going.

-Sure you don't know where you will be teaching because the recruiter/"unique educational experience" is shopping you around to schools as we speak.

-Sure, you will "take part in a meaningful cultural exchange" ...part and parcel of teaching abroad, isn't it? Besides, you will probably be asked to "take part in a meaningful cultural exchange" known as English Corner. Or, if your partner in this "unique educational experience" drops the ball, you'll be able to report back here to ESL Cafe about your "meaningful cultural exchange" ...AKA "I got hosed by (fill in the blank)."

-Sure, you have to sign off on a waiver because if the school doesn't like your teaching or can't afford to pay you, they will need to ship you off somewhere else.

Or am I way off base?

Giantbudwiser · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:10 am Post subject:

lol, 100% right chengdude

wonderd · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Shanghai, China

I've got to agree with everyone here. The only thing a company may ask you to pay ahead of time is the airfare if you are out of the country. This part I understand, as I remember a somewhat humourous (not for the company) story of a bunch of Americans that were hired to teach with airfare paid and the day they arrived they dissappeared.

Paying the airfare should be (at minimum) as follows. You pay the airfare yourself, and the company will pay you half when you get here and the other half at the end of your contract.

There are many places I have seen out there that take your money and run. And what are you going to do when they're in China and you're ????

Second note... there are many companies out there paying more than 4000RMB for English teachers. This is my experience, but I'm in Shanghai, so it may be because this is a big and quite rich city.

Take care, hope it works out for you. It might be easier to say what you are looking for in China, and see if others can steer you in the right direction.

Luvinlife · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks to all that have replied. I think that you all have helped me tremendously. I guess I will continue to look for a legitimate teaching job in China. Wink

If anyone knows of any jobs please feel free to drop me a note.

wonderd · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Shanghai, China

Well, there is a forum on here for good job postings on the net. I've found a few that look good. Although there are a few that don't agree with me, I've been working for a place for three years that's pretty good.

Good luck on the hunt. Did you know what city you wanted to work in? Is that important to you? In the big cities you'll find far more opportunities.