Job Discussion Forums

[Anderson]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Has anybody here worked for, or know someone who has worked for, Shengda College in Henan Province (outside of Zhengzhou)?

I am a soon to be first time EFL'er, and any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I have a bachelor's degree and am TESOL certified, and am being offered 4000RMB a month for 20 teaching hours and 2 English Corner hours. Extra hours are 50RMB an hour. Does this sound about right?

Alas, I have nothing to say about my muscles growing muscles, but I hope I am responded to nonetheless.

[goldstar]

Don't stop, don't slow down, keeping running.

There must be worse schools, but there are much better ones too. I worked there a few years back myself. I don't know of anyone who has stayed more than a year, though many have moved on to greener pastures in China. It is in the boonies, and the administration is not helpful. Just getting into the city is a hassle. I remember they gave out medicine for tape worms a few months into my stay because the college's water supply had become contaminated. There are a few warnings floating around the net, one on Dave's job journal from last year. Working there is in no way shape or form a "holiday". Find a job in the south where the sun shines most of the time, and the feeling is laid back. Good luck.

[arioch36]

don't listen to Goldstar! She is vindictive drug peddler>Only kidding.

I worked there with Goldstar. There is one or two nice things about the college. The administration will do nothing to make your stay worthwhile.

Goood...If you teach Business English students oral english, class size is 30. The apartments are large.

They give you the cheapest furniture and will replace nothing. They say Zhengzhou, but it is in the middle of nowhere. Several colleges are now located there. An hour via a bumpy bus (longer when there is construction or heavy traffic.The students at all of these colleges are not allowed to leave Mon- Fri. So Staurday morning, on your day off, you will have to fight 60 students to get on a bus that holds 20. (literally, I mean fight, students jumping through open windows)

As said, the administration may be the worst part. they will do nothing to help you, and things are worse since I have been there.

If you are talking to an Australian named Tony Lee who know fancies himself as a teacher, but spends most of his time recruiting, don't listen to a word he said. He was the biggest complainer of ShengDa when he was there.

20 hours now? Plus 2 for English Corner. That's a con. When I was there it was 18 hours. This is not a competive salary. There are better jobs in Henan. 16 hours, 4,000 sounds better. TheEducation bureau says it should be 16 hours, Beijing, I believe says 12 hours should be the norm for a college teacher. Oh, you can only have visitors in your apartment during certain hours, and they have to leave by ??? 10:30? Can't remember.

Goldstar talks of the south, but he is doing his 3rd year in Zhengzhou. I like Henan. I liked the students. I wish I could go back there sometimes. the administration makes it impossible. I'd give them the pass. PM me for more info if you want.

Enough fo now.

[struelle]

[Anderson]

Thanks a lot for the info. Guess I'll keep on looking.

You'll probably get real sick of seeing post by me along the lines of...

'Anybody ever worked at or know anything about school X?'

Luckily for me, I am in a situation where I have all the time in the world to research and find a good school to work at.

Of course, suggestions of good schools are always welcome! I have been scouring the net, but the majority of ESL posts concerning specific schools seem to be pissed off teachers simply venting. Although those are entertaining and informative, that's for sure.