Job Discussion Forums

KHS08 · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Brooklyn, NY

Hi all,

I'm a newbie and I'm currently in the application process for finding a job in China. I've heard back from a few schools in Huzhou, Guangzhou and Taipei. Yet, every time I search the school in the forums, all I find is reviews from angry teachers who hated their experience at the school. All the bad reviews are making me feel like I may never find a school that isn't corrupt and doesn't cheat teachers out of time or money. Have I just had bad luck, or do people who have positive experiences just not post about it?

Since I'm new, I don't want to sign my life away for a year to the wrong school. Can anyone make any positive recommendations for me for schools in South East China (cities larger than 1 million) or Taiwan?

I am posting this in the China board too.

Thanks for your help!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject:

You're interested in China, which I haven't made it to yet- but I wanted to try to add a grain of salt to the postings you're seeing.

While it's true that any school that gets a lot of negative reviews is probably getting them for a reason, it's also true that most people are more inclined to post their sorrows that their joys.

The more you can ask about specific schools, the more you'll find. BUt it people are truly happy in their jobs, it doesn't always occur to them to post to let others know.

Best,
Justin

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Have you posted this on the China forum?

People find it easy to complain anonymously on internet forums. Read the complaints carefully. I've done this for a decade. Sometimes the complaints are very legit, but sometimes it amounts to the teacher not knowing what he was doing when he took the job in the first place, or thinking that they could impose western morals on the job situation.

hollysuel · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Connecticut, USA

I found the school that I worked at for ten years on some EFL black list (not in China though). I was shocked! They treated me very well. For example, when my parents came, they rented them an apartment for four weeks for only 160 euro and later when my dad died they paid for a plane ticket and flew me home--took care of all the arrangements and even helped me pack as I was in such shock... just a couple of examples... This school didn't need to be on the blacklist, but someone was unhappy and put it on the blacklist although I haven't a clue who he/she was! So, always always treat these posts with a grain of salt!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

hollysuel · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Connecticut, USA

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

If you really want to know how things are, you need an insider's perspective.

My suggestion: ask the school for the contact information of a couple of current and recent teachers.

These people will have dealt with the current administration as it is. You might be thinking, "but the school is only going to give me information on the happiest teachers". Well, probably not. They'll probably give you the contact information of the teachers they like the best. These are not always the same people.

What does this do for you? Well, it gives you the opportunity to assess those people for yourself, find out what they do with their spare time if they have any, and pry into the positives and negatives of the school. With just a few 5 or 10 minute conversations (cheap or free with Skype) you will probably have a much better idea of whether or not the school's culture is the one for you.

If they don't want to give you any teacher contact information, steer clear.

Oh, remember that you're not signing your life away for one year. You're just signing one year away for a certain number of hours per day. You might lose sleep or have a nervous breakdown, but a year later you will probably be just a little older and wiser.