Job Discussion Forums

jane1 · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 10

I am planning on working at a LUODING INSTITUTE OF VOCATION AND TECHNOLOGY. I was wondering if anyone has heard of it? Is it a nice school? Is the staff pleasant?

Also, is there anything to do in Luoding? NIghtlife, malls, scenary..

Apparently, it is 2 hours away from Guangzhou. The network thats recruiting me told me that and i don't know if he is lying to me in order to get me to go there. Hopefully, someone will be able to help me out there!

bearcanada · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 312 Location: Calgary, Canada

The Chinese Ministry of Education lists only this one institution in that city:

The "Luoding Vocational and Technical College", but that isn't exactly the same name you quoted.

Google and Baidu didn't turn up anything for the institution you mention. It might be helpful if you post the full ad for this school; maybe we could tell more from that.

You'd think the school would know its own name, though.

Disclaimer: Do not eat. Do not leave in direct sunlight. Not dishwasher safe. Do not microwave. Not suitable for children under three. May cause headache if worn instead of hat. Colors may vary. Batteries not included.

(Courtesy of DOSDOSDOS - who appears to stutter)

goose · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 32

Did you get this position through Chris Ryall at China Teaching Network?. I got offered this position but turned it down. I too couldn't find anything on it, but the recrutiment agency seems to be reputable. Maybe they gave you the shorten version of the schools name. Luoding is about 100km from Guangzhou. Its just over an hour bus ride, but I'm unsure if there is a train that connects the two cities.

Goodluck!!!

jane1 · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 10

[quote="goose"]Did you get this position through Chris Ryall at China Teaching Network?. I got offered this position but turned it down. [/quote]

Why did you turn it down? Are you taking any other jobs?

goose · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 32

I turned the job offer down, because they wanted me to sign a year contract, but I will return home after 6 months so that was out of the question. I have taken another job that for a 6 month period. My rejection of the job had nothing to do with the job, location or recruiter. Actually the job sounds good, the salary is good compared to other public schools. But I am unsure if that school is a public school. The conditions overall sound pretty decent. If its your first job teaching then this offer is a good introductory to teaching.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

It took me quite some time to find Luoding on a map; I have been in Guangdong for several years but never been there. It is NOWHERE NEAR Guangzhou unless you would agree to saying the Kilimanjaro is somewhere near Cairo...
The town is more like 300 kms from Guangzhou, far to the west and quite near the provincial boundary with Guangxi; however, it is not near the highway to Wuzhou and GUILIN, hence its relative backwater-yness. From Guangzhou to ZHAOQING the road is a motorway, and buses take one hour and a half (for 110 kms); the rest of the journey is, probably, on country roads. I would guess 4 to 6 hours for the total journey!

Bear this in mind before committing!
From LUODING, your most likely day trip destinations would be Zhanjiang, Maoming in Guangdong, or Liuzhou and Beihai in Guangxi. There is no railway in your part of China - nearest station is at Zhaoqing.

On the other hand, it is no doubt more scenic in Luoding and surrounds than in the Pearl RIver, and unpolluted at that. If you want a calm and relaxing TEFL experience, I can only say: go for it if you find the working conditions good.

There are some 3 or 4 institutions in Luoding (according to the GUIDE TO EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN EXPERTS) in that town. Don't be too afraid!

pete_esl · Joined: 21 Jan 2011 Posts: 2

I have seen a lot of old and incorrect information posted here about Luoding Polytechnic. I feel I should update this information for those considering applying for a job at this college.

Firstly, I have worked at this college so I can give you the information the college will not.

The college is not one hour by bus from Guangzhou at stated in other posts, it is at least 5 hours.

There is no nightlife in Luoding and in fact there is absolutely nothing to do there. This is a city on just one million people, poor farmers.
If you gain employment at this college then stock up on chocolate, coffee, butter, and any other foods you consider "normal". You will not find these in luoding, though at the market you will be able to buy dogs, cats, bats, rats, bees, and turtles for consumption, and anything else that moves.

The students at this college are fantastic and you will love them. I cannot say the same about the staff. As a foreigner you will be isolated from all staff, they will not communicate with you, they will not even say hello, they will not even look at you as you pass each other. You will not be invited to any staff or department meetings.

There are just 4 foreigners in luoding and they are the teachers, so once you walk outside the college gates you have no one to communicate with.

As is expected when applying for a new position you would have many questions to ask the college. Remove these thoughts from your mind. You are wasting your time asking any questions. The answer you will get to all of your questions is "I dont know".
When you ask about public holidays and which date they fall on so as you can make plans, the answer is "I dont know". You will be given 1-2 days notice about public holidays and this information will come from the students, the staff will inform you on nothing at all.
After the semester is over and you want to know when the next semester starts, the answer to that question is "I dont know" you will be told to start work with about 4 - 5 days notice. To bad if you are overseas.

I did not see out my one year contract, not many do. A quick internet search will show that this college is always advertising for teachers. This is because no one wants to work there and those that do leave promptly.

Good luck

Vaporate · Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Posts: 19 Location: United Kingdom

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

Luoding Institute of Vocation and Technology
Luoding Vocational and Technical College

are the same in chinese; both translate to "罗定职业技术学院 ."

yet the website uses Guangdong Luoding Polytechtic

website is here: http://www.ldpoly.com/

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

The link to the school adds a lot to the conversation and have to say, having worked at 2xvocational colleges and one nationally ranked uni the amount of information provided is outstanding.
The airfare refund is a bit light but the other conditions seem OK, although would like more info on apartments. Doubt there is A/C in classrooms, but from my small experience of Guangzhou and Hainan buildings are generally designed to catch whatever breeze is available.
I have found vocational college students great. Generally they are the first in their families to experience tertiary education and any kind of exposure to Westerners.
As they are in a vocationally focussed stream the mind set seems more of 'I'm doing this to get that' than the 'too cool for school' students at a big national uni. Just getting in to a national uni usually assures a good employment outcome.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

ADDITION
Have just scrolled down through the photo section of the FT info and apartment looks good.
As OP says, his/her beef is no 6m contracts but that's pretty standard.
However these types of non-monetary conditions are the first to go if they are desperate.

pete_esl · Joined: 21 Jan 2011 Posts: 2

Day trip to Guangxi?????? you have no idea what you are talking about. Unpolluted???????? once again you have no idea what you are talking about. You have not been to luoding so do not comment on it.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

Six years changes a lot. Laughing

xi.gua · Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Posts: 170

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Hey this is a good thread on an interesting location about which most of us know very little.
For someone to go to a map (o-b-v-i-o-u-s-l-y they've never been there) and give us some distances and reference points is part of the discourse and is not a reason for haughty dismissal by one poster.
If your teaching motivation is bars and nightlife first then maybe remote vocational colleges are not for you. If on the other hand you put motivated students and no hidden agendas above that, then this place is worth looking at. The teacher information provided by one poster via a link is a model of detail and clarity. Wish they were all as good.