Job Discussion Forums

tide · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 12

I was hoping someone would have an opinion on World Link Education.
They are a corporation based in Seattle, WA USA. I would be teaching at the Real Life English Institute in Beijing.

Questions:
Does anyone have an opinion about World Link Education or the Real Life English Institute?

Is the pollution in Beijing "that bad"?

I will earn 3,500 RMB/month, with airfare, free accomadation, free visas, and mandarin lessons. Good Deal? Bad Deal?

I would like to hear all opinions!

Thank You,
Peter

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

I have never heard of this organisation, but I can tell you the pollution really is that bad. I have a question for you though, "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?" Why on earth are you accepting a position, in Beijing of all places, for 3,500 RMB????

Clearly you have not done any research. I would recomend you spend at least 2 weeks trawling message boards like Daves and work out what is acceptable.

lollercauster · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 418 Location: Inside-Out NYC

Now, I've not yet begun any jobs or gotten paid for anything, but from reading tons of accounts of various wages, that sounds horrible, especially for Beijing.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

3500 seems incredibly low. My guess is that the Beijing school is paying that organization, I don't know, maybe 6000 and they are pocketing the difference.

Old-timers here that want to actually see a more fair and balanced pay to FTs (sorry Chinese teachers, we can't do much for you!) are hyperventilating when they read posts like this with "newbies" (sorry) accepting such low salaries and thinking they're still getting a great deal because, after all, those Chinese lessons don't come cheap you know! Wink

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

If I were paying 2,500 per month for Chinese lessons, I would expect to be fluent in a very short time.

To the OP, the minimum you should accept in Beijing is 6,000. Schools will try to flatter you with all those perks you mentioned, but ignore it. A return trip ticket is required to be given by law after completing a 1 year contract. A free appartment, must be suitable for foreigners, is also required by law. Those Chinese lessons are always offered, but in reality they will probably never happen, and if they do you would be better off without them. It's only gonna be some English teacher wanting to practice her English with you.

tide · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 12

well...I haven't accepted anything yet...they've accepted me.
I would still like to hear more opinions about the pollution in Beijing.

Thanks for your opinions

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 161

I had been looking into the same organization which also offers programs combining martial arts and Chinese language study. It seems they have been running for quite a few years and have many overseas offices. They also have onsite support in Beijing if you have any problems. I think you wouldn't have a problem with their organization if you go with them.

However, I do wonder at the nature of the organization who is 'arranging' this teaching position for you. It seems that anyone who applies will automatically be accepted. They can gain business ground on arranging locally to provide a cheap English teacher in exchange for providing you with a 'cultural experience'. There are similar such programs I've read about, but which require the teachers to actually pay for the teaching placement themselves. The latter is at least worse.

Yeah, I'm sure if you're really keen to come to Beijing, you can shop around and find a better paying option if money is an issue for you. I wouldn't go for anything less than 6,000 month - although you can get even more. But, if I recall from researching the program myself, I think you only have to 'teach' just a couple of hours a day with Worldlink - that means you have the rest of the day at leisure...not bad.

tide · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 12

actually you work a full week

sojourner · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject:

Tide,

A "full week" ? But how many HOURS, during a week, will you be working ?

As the other posters have indicated, you should shop around for something much better. Don't think that you are doing the "poor" Chinese a favour by working for such a pittance ! The school is probably charging their students "the sky" for their lessons.

Peter

tide · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 12

20-25 contact hours which I am assuming means 25 contact hours!

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

15 is a handfull (remember genuine preperation time takes a lot of effort) - 25 at those wages in Beijing is nothing more than slavery. Thanks for bringing this near criminal organisation to our attention - any body still thinking of sighning up, please visit your local shrink!!!!
By the way after those hours in the clasroom - you still think you have the energy to learn Mandarin Confused

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

tide,

When you are looking for/responding to jobs, don't make the mistake of thinking you will only work the hours advertised.

For example, you see a job for 5,000 RMB to work 16 hours a week.

Your first question should be, are they classroom hours or clock hours? Most places vary but usually 16 hours would mean 16 classes (40 - 60 mins).

Your next question should be, how many grades are those classes spread over? lets say for example, 5 grade 1, 5 grade 2, 6 grade 3; all in highschool. Do you really think you can teach exactly the same thing to both grade 1 and 3? The answer is no, so that means you have 3 lessons plans per week.

Your next question should be, how often do you teach the same class? once a week no problem, we remain at 3 lesson plans per week. Twice a week, up to 6 lesson plans. I have to do 16 lesson plans per week.

Now, obviously you are somewhat of a newbie, you should think about how much time you will need to plan a single lesson. When I started it took me on average 2 hours per lesson plan, now though, I have experience and a stock pile of lesson plans. I can create all 16 in the matter of 3-4 hours.

So, using my example figures, your 16 hours has gone up to 22 hours. Cutting back and skimping on you lesson plan time, could very well lead you to getting a bad rep, complaints and even the push. There are so many so called teachers out there who complain about the schools, but nine times out of ten the real problem is, they are not teachers. All this 'free time' that gets advertised makes me laugh, teaching can easily be a 9-5 job. It's not a holiday.