Job Discussion Forums

[Cathy OB]

Has anyone ever taught for this group, or does anyone know anything about them?

Shenzhen sounds like a great place, but I can't find much information about the ocmpany.

Any info appreciated.
Thanks

[suanlatudousi]

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&=&q=Sunmoon+Education+Group%2C+Shenzhen&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

[Sinko]

Suan,

I think the vast majority of readers understand Cathy wants people, who have been involved with this establishment in some way, to post some comments about the teaching (working) conditions, accomodation associated with it and general opinion on the management of the place. Nobody really wants the google BS that you posted. She can do it herself, as every half smart reader would know.

[suanlatudousi]

I rightly assume that people that don't know how to use the search function of the site may not know how to use Google as well (not necessarily in this particular case/topic, but in general).

But, golly, thanks for your input. Using the link I provided I am able to find a few comments on this company.

[Blingcosa]

I have taken a job with these guys. I start next month (Nov). Their contract is a little dodgy - fines for this and that, including if you work drunk!!! (shouldn't they fire your asre for that?!)

It pays well, the work looks dead boring, but easy - (they use the Callan method). They admitted that working for the Chinese employers could be a little strained at times. Basically what they told me about management married up exactly to my experiences of working for a Chinese owned school in New Zealand. This is why I went with them - I felt they were being honest about the difficulties involved in working there.

I will let you know how I get on.

[alter ego]

I live and work in Shenzhen and SEG tends to stay off the radar. I don't know much about them but one possible way to get some word of mouth would be to post a discussion in a teacher's group on one of main social networking sites here:

http://www.shenzhenstuff.com/group/shenzhenforeignersteaching

You have to join, but you might get the answers you're looking for. Also, don't forget to check out jobs at the other main networking site here:

http://www.shenzhenparty.com/

These links have been shared before but redundancy is a natural part of the Dave's ESL process and as the OP Cathy OB wrote:

[nobleignoramus]

I may very well have been Mr Shan Mu's (Englished as "Sunmoon") first foreign teacher.

What astonishes me is that Sunmoon is still in business - after so many years.

A while ago I came across Sunmoon adverts on board trains running from Shenzhen or Guangzhou farther inland. Think! Who the hell would invest in such costly advertising?

But credit for successes to those who succeed! Shan Mu certainly is one of this country's longest-established language mills. And in my days he certainly was pretty successful.

But there was nothing special about his management style that's worth emulating; he rented public school classrooms and offered Cantonese, computer and English classes.Sometimes also Japanese.

He lives on in my mind as the proverbial Chinese countryside bumpkin that struck it rich. He claimed to have a degree from Shanghai Jiaotong university, but whether that is true is a mystery. He was a very Chinese man, - hard-drinking, given to visiting karaoke bars with young girls (seldom with his wife). He gave me rewards (that came out of the blue).
But it is also true that he often bragged about his excellent connections to the authorities, and these were not always what he said they were (in the end his own blundering cost me my job).

I would say if he provides you with a legal job, try it out. Just don't expect too much. I personallydon't like the kind of customers training centres cater to - i.e. private company classes. I had a very good time for over one year, teaching self-paying adults.

I never liked Shenzhen, though.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]