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scottinchina
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Soul Mountain
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 Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:57 am Post subject: Aston in Suzhou |
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Hi everyone. I've buzzed around this site for awhile, but this is my first post. I'm pretty close to accepting a job in Suzhou with Aston English, and was hoping for some feedback from you guys. I'm familiar with the reputation EF has as far as the quality of their franchises varying wildly from one location to the next. I haven't heard much of anything at all concerning Aston. Any experiences out there you'd like to share? Also I'm curious if Suzhou is an expensive city to live in, as it directly impacts my salary expectations. I'm negotiating between 7000 and 8000 for the position. I've been living in Jilin City for two years on 6000 a month and thats been quite comfy, as Jilin is an inexpensive city. The cabs start at 5rmb here, versus 10 in Suzhou - thats like Beijing! Thanks for the feedback. Cheers!  |
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cj750
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
Posts: 3081
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 3:11 am Post subject: |
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| Aston and future school are one in the same..I believe..correct me posters if I am wrong...and Aston use to be considered a backpacker's school..but I have known some good folks working for them..the manager of the one in Changchun was a good sort ..and a long standing FT..he told me he was happy with his job..but that was a year ago or so...I believe you will need 8k to equal to the purchase power you had in Jilian... |
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scottinchina
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Soul Mountain
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| Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:17 am Post subject: |
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| Also wanted to mention this is for an assistant manager position with 15 class hours and 35 total hours per week including office hours. Does that sound like low pay for such an investment in time? |
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BlakeS
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 87
Location: Xian
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| Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:12 am Post subject: |
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cj: Aston and Future are the same. The "Future" school in Dalian is an Aston school - but I believe it's the only one (I may be wrong). There are other Future schools that aren't Aston.
Aston is a good school. That's a decent pay - and Alan, the person listed on your contract as complaint and appeals manager is a great guy. He will ensure that, if there are any problems, they are handled quickly and on behalf of the staff whenever possible.
EF is the leader....internationally. Aston is quickly becoming the leader of "reputable" (sp) franchised ESL schools in China.
I don't know anything about Suzhou, unfortunately - but it sounds like a good deal that you've secured. |
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frank d
Joined: 07 Dec 2005
Posts: 155
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chinaamber
Joined: 06 Jun 2006
Posts: 73
Location: Guiyang
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| Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Aston don't have a school in Suzhou, they have one in Xuzhou in the north of the same province. The city is just ok, but nothing like the beautiful Suzhou. Check their website. Don't know if this will affect your decision!! |
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scottinchina
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Soul Mountain
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| Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 1:36 am Post subject: |
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| Its a brand new school they are opening in Suzhou in September. They will be bringing me in to hire new teachers and open that baby up. |
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BlakeS
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 87
Location: Xian
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| Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:07 am Post subject: |
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Hey Frank,
Thank you very much for posting my story elsewhere. I hope it makes a difference and helps others avoid the problems that I and others have had to endure.
The most recent - another staff member tried to leave the school and after much fighting and a 7000RMB fine, she was pushed infront of a bus. Luckily the bus stopped in time.
But honestly - the Aston that I have found myself at - they have bent over backwards to do everything they can to make me comfortable. I don't doubt that others have had negative experiences (any franchised school will have it's horror stories) but this one inperticular is treating me much better than my previous....obviously!
RE: The discussion involving Aston (which I haven't checked out yet). Would you mind if I passed the link on to my manager at the head office? As I mentioned, he truly is a good guy and if there is someone/are someones having problems - he *will* intervene and make sure any problems are put to an end as well as he can.
If the parties involved don't want anyone involved, then I won't....but it might be of help. |
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frank d
Joined: 07 Dec 2005
Posts: 155
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| Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:18 am Post subject: |
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BlakeS,
I am genuinely happy to learn that your experience with Aston is an exceptionally good one! YOU DESERVE IT!
I was not the one who posted your testimony on ESl Teachers Board.com, but I did contribute a post the the thread regarding your terrible experience.
Thanks for asking my permission regarding te weblink, but feel free to pass it along to any and everyone you please.
In fact, I have an on-going argument with a regular poster on ESLTB. He feels that posters should give a "fair and balanced" account of all situations posted, but I don't agree. I say that many FTs are emotional, and psychologically (and sometimes physically!) battered and abused, and so they cannot present a "fair and balanced" account, and are not obliged to do so. I say the "balance" (if there is any) should come from a representative of the school or organization. Perhaps your manager will contribute to the discussion (as has another Aston manager).
ALL best wishes to you, BlakeS! |
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BlakeS
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 87
Location: Xian
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| Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:52 am Post subject: |
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| frank d wrote: |
In fact, I have an on-going argument with a regular poster on ESLTB. He feels that posters should give a "fair and balanced" account of all situations posted, but I don't agree. I say that many FTs are emotional, and psychologically (and sometimes physically!) battered and abused, and so they cannot present a "fair and balanced" account, and are not obliged to do so. I say the "balance" (if there is any) should come from a representative of the school or organization. Perhaps your manager will contribute to the discussion (as has another Aston manager).
ALL best wishes to you, BlakeS! |
Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of "fairness" in some of the situations that arise. I've seen some rather slanderous posts, which are very emotional and maybe even sometimes not fully justified. As long as it's truthful, that's what matters. I think a lot of us may dance around the truths of what occurs in our line of work, rather than being direct and straight-forward about it.
I did my best to be truthful about my and my girlfriend's experience. Of course, it's impossible to leave emotion out of it, given the circustances but hopefully it came across as honest - rather than dejected.
I'll give what input I can on the ESLTB and possibly even try to get some problems rectified. Perhaps these Aston employees don't even realize the outlets they have to improve their situation. |
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frank d
Joined: 07 Dec 2005
Posts: 155
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| Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:33 am Post subject: |
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BlakeS,
Aside from the horrendous chain of events that happened to you and your girlfriend, what makes your testimony particularly powerful is the objective, chronological, and detailed account you provide of the entire saga.
Your post is am exemplary model of how others should compose their unfortunate and wretched experiences.
I LOVE China so much. I adore my students, and receive tremendous reward and satisfaction from teaching here (otheriwse, I would have left long ago); but so often "school 'administrators' and 'managers'" (and their goon squads) can be our worst nightmare!
Keep the faith everyone! |
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