Job Discussion Forums

[ChinaBob]

Hi:

I've been thinking about this Memphis ESL program in Shenzhen. Has anyone done this? Does anyone know anyone that is presently in it, or completed this program? Please help.

Thanks,
Bob

[No Moss]

I believe it is affiliated with Memphis State University (Tennessee). From what I know, they get paid peanuts for working in one of the most expensive cities in China (Shenzhen). Haven't heard about it for a while, so maybe it has improved.

[Steppenwolf]

It's confined to Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and no other places in Guangdong or the rest of China.
But even so, you must be aware that you might end up working in a dump place on the periphery of civilisation, i.e. outside of town near the atom power station at Daya Bay (Dog forbid) or a monkey village near Gongming! You can end up working in a posh neighbourhood, yes, but your money won't carry you far as has been pointed out!

And yet I distinctly remember being asked by a member of Shenzhen's Education BUreau whether 3000 yuan was a decent salary at that time; well, that was many years ago. I hope they have upgraded it somewhat but I cannot assure you for certain.

Anyway, it is a run-of-the-mill job working in middle schools; beware of the antisocial tendencies among the spoiilt youths of one of China's most dynamic economic powerhouses!

[Kurochan]

I didn't know this program still existed.

I came to China through this program several years ago, when I didn't know any better. A few things about this program, at least when I was involved:

The man in charge did not like China or Chinese people (he made no bones about it), and seemed dedicated to doing as little work as possible.

He will tell all the other teachers around about your private life, so don't tell him anything personal (he found out one guy on our program was a virgin, and soon EVERYBODY knew -- not very professional).

There was clear favoring of white, as-Aryan-as-possible teachers. This means if you are black you may well end up way in Bao'an or Longgang, which are not the safest parts of Shenzhen. The one reason to go with a program is that they are supposed to go to bat for you and help you avoid discrimination and other trouble -- they certainly did not do that in this program. I felt like the leader felt like black teachers were trouble, and tried to get them as far away from him as possible.

People never got their promised TEFL certificate. We did get a "program completion certificate," which does not say TEFL, or anything about English teaching, or training, on it.