Job Discussion Forums

jyl2011 · Joined: 07 Dec 2011 Posts: 33

Hello everyone.

I've noticed a position with this school and unlike many outfits in China, it looks professional and trustworthy. Their website looks great and they have information about the staff who are currently working there. I do however realize that what you see is not always what you get. I was curious as to whether anybody has had first hand experience with this school and would like to share some information.

Thanks in advance!

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

No thanks.

At 7k a month, pay is low for 25+ hours a week, plus mandatory overtime and mandatory teacher's meetings. Expect a full-time workload for little in return.

Worse still, housing is not provided. It is shared housing and the teacher has to pay 1k a month. One can easily find private digs in Changchun for 700 RMB a month. Why be forced to pay 1,000 RMB a month for shared housing with a complete stranger?

Again, no thanks.

By the way (bai da wei), lots of jobs on this very board pay far more and have you work less hours.

Zimmer · Joined: 26 Oct 2011 Posts: 229

Ask them for the email addresses of all their teachers, than ask the teachers how they feel about the school.

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

Paying 1k to live in shared housing is a joke, and really, an insult. Changchun is not a particularly expensive city. You can pay less than that and get your own apartment.

Phat0 · Joined: 02 Jun 2011 Posts: 21

I saw the ad. It say's nothing about having to share an apartment.

Do what Zimmer suggested ask for email addresses and contact teachers working there.

west2east · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 120 Location: China

Salary seems typical for dongbay, but hours might be on the heavier side.

They seem to state all the essential information in their ad, many ads do not.

Assuming they really are saefa registered, this is important. I arrived in China to find that I was expected to remain on a L visa. This is after they assured me they could get me a a Z visa!

No mention of shared accommodation, so get this checked out. I've lived in Harbin and if it's anything like Changchun, then 700RMB for an apartment is not going to get you much luxury.

They have what looks like an honest website, but echo others. Ask to email with the teachers that work there. Their ad seems to be very up front and honest about the job. Better to know all the facts now than after a job is taken.

You could find better, but I'd say there are a lot worse.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I say 'shared' because I always assume it is 'shared' unless they say 'private' or 'unshared' or 'single'.

The reason I assumed this was based on 10+ years experience teaching in Asia, the majority of those years in China. My apologies. I would also contact existing teachers there to find out, or ask them directly yourself to be 100% sure.