Job Discussion Forums

[mengli]

Hey everyone!

So I've been sending applications and resumes to many of the job postings in which I am qualified for (which is not many because I just graduated from uni with a bachelors, have no TEFL, and no post graduation work experience in the education field).

It's through Rockies English and I've only seen at best cautious reviews, so I just want to hear your opinions and tips before I decide to accept this job or walk away.

The offer is this:

8000RMB/M
15 total working hours a week
In the city of Changzhi, Shaanxi
4-6 year old kids

Or I can choose:

9000RMB/M
22.5 working hours a week
In the city of Shenyang, Liaoning
4-6 year old kids

I've done an interview with Ernie this morning, and he didn't seem pushy, stupid, corrupt, or anything bad..it was actually a good impression from him.

From what I've read, if/when I discuss the Visa process, I will only accept a Z Visa and if they say no, then I will definitely walk away.

Here is the sample 22.5hr/w Shenyang contract sent to me for your critiquing pleasure, and if/when I get the actual contract, I will post that as well.


Rockies Management and Consultation Company Contract
�
This contract is between Rockies Consultant Company hereinafter referred to as RCC or Rockies and ___________, herein after referred to as the definite article "the teacher".� The contract dates are from September 2011 to July 31st 2012 (Depending on the location, February and August � the school holidays in China for winter holiday and summer holiday -- maybe off without pay for teachers) (Contracts start dates and end dates are based on the length of a teaching term. The start date will begin from the date of the first scheduled class. Days allocated for training are not paid for.)�
�
Responsibilities of Rockies or RCC

(a) Salary:�� (1)�� RCC will pay the teacher a base salary of 9000 RMB ((base pay of 7000 RMB and 1000 RMB per month for attendance bonus (no missed classes other than illness and national holidays and not being late as well as a 1000 RMB apartment stipend) base pay 9000 RMB for 22.5 scheduled teaching hours per week, 97 hours per month obtained from 22.5 hours�multiplied by�4.3 weeks) with the month starting on the 1st and ending on the last day of the month.� �If the teacher begins or ends this contract on a day other than the 1st, their salary will be prorated by the number of days lost�multiplied by�pay per day, as defined by dividing 9000 RMB (prorated by year) by the days of that month. Salaries are paid on the 10th of every month.

RCC will pay the teacher a yearly bonus. This bonus is 8000 RMB (prorated by year) RMB upon the completion of 12 months contract or 6400 RMB for a 10 months contract to account for transportation and travel to obtain visa.

RCC gives teachers 1000 RMB per month to seek out their own apartment, but our Chinese teachers will assist in the house searching process.

(b)�� Teaching conditions and hours: The teacher will have 2 days off per week. In exceptional circumstances, such as an annual school event, the teacher might be required to work more than 5 days, but this should happen no more than once or twice a year.

Once or twice a week, a teacher may be required, with the assistance of Chinese teachers, to give feedback of teaching and communication with parents. This may take 1-2 hours per week in addition to teaching hours depending on the need of the school.

(c) �� Subbing: Teachers who sub for other teachers will automatically be paid 150 RMB. This 150 RMB will be deducted from the sick teacher�s pay at the end of the month and added to the subbing teacher�s pay.
This type of sub pay does not apply though in the following cases:
(1) If a teacher who is under hours and is scheduled to cover for a teacher who has yet to arrive in China to teach.
(2) If a teacher who is under hours and is required to take over (not sub) another teacher�s hours who is unable to complete their schedule (teachers who are leaving early, end their contract suddenly, lose their class because of student complaints or get sick and are unable to finish their contract).
Sub pay in these two cases will only apply if the teacher is required to work over 22.5 hours a week.
(3) If classes have to be cancelled and made up in a different week.

(d) Salary start date: the teacher�s salary period will begin on the first day of the contract dates and cease on the last day of the contract dates irrespective of whether this is a working or an off-day.
(e) Work hours: the teacher will be required to work 22.5___class hours per week. ( __97___ hours per month) Class hours include scheduled lesson, substitutions, outside teaching, one-to-one tutoring, educational promotional events

(f) Overtime: In the event that RCC requires the teacher to work more than __97__ hours per month teaching or dealing with administration work, overtime will be paid at the rate of 150 RMB per hour.

(g) Pay day: Salary is paid on the tenth of each month following the relevant pay period. The pay date may be adjusted to allow for special situations such as Chinese festivals, school holidays, weekends etc.

(h) Off-days: The teacher will be off two days per week (with a week starting on Sunday and ending on the following Saturday), unless the teacher and Rockies mutually agree to a change.

(i) Beginner Chinese lessons: Rockies will arrange free Beginner level Chinese language classes for the teacher to consist of not less than two (2) hours per week. Classes are scheduled from mid-September to mid-December in the Autumn term, and mid-March to mid-June in the Spring term. The exact meeting times will be determined by the location manager as the policies, resources, and circumstances of the particular school necessitate. Chinese lessons may be scheduled on a teacher's day off.

(j) Internet access: Rockies will provide at-school internet access to the teacher. Said time and length of access to be decided on a case by case basis as the policies, resources, and circumstances of the particular school permit.

(k) Government regulations: In the event the school is required to close for an extended period of time due to circumstances that are beyond the control of the school including, �catastrophic events� like �SARS�, �Acts of God�, government policies but solely not limited to these factors listed, teaching salaries may be reduced. The teacher is required to comply with Chinese laws and income tax regulations.�

(l) �Emergency funding or advance: Rockies is willing to give out one advance to teachers per 6 month contract. The maximum Rockies will give out is one-half of the completed teaching hours on the date the advance is given out. However, RCC does have the right to refuse to give out an advance.

(m)���Resources: Rockies will provide the teacher with training, curriculum, and other resources needed to become an effective teacher.

(n)���Day to day assistance: Rockies will provide help to the teacher with basic problems dealing with day to day living in China including but not limited to: escort from the airport, ease in payment of bills, and an appropriate Chinese liaison as determined by Rockies.
�
�Responsibilities of the teacher
�
(a)�� Hours of work: The teacher will be required to spend _22.5__ hours per week on the following: Teaching in class, one to one tutoring, English corners, administration work (eg. Student placement interviews, or assisting with writing teaching manuals) and other specific expertise related work as required (any work related to a teacher�s expertise is assigned only in consultation and then agreed upon by the teacher). 22.5 hours are counted toward teaching hours only, and exclude water breaks, lunch hour or washroom breaks in between classes.

Due to the nature of the school�s scheduling and the need to ensure the standards of Rockies are being met, schedules may be rearranged by Rockies with prior notice given to the teacher. Please note that schedules often change a few times at the beginning of a new term. During this time teachers are asked to be patient and flexible. Tutoring may change more than once or twice.

Due to government holidays the school sometimes has to reschedule classes which may result in teachers teaching on their day off. This may occur once or twice a year. These hours are not considered overtime hours as they are make-up classes in lieu of the ones cancelled.

Also, sometimes tutoring classes have to be rescheduled. If rescheduled, those hours will not be considered overtime if it requires a teacher to work over ___22.5___hours in a following week.�

In addition, teachers may be required to teach at more than one location. If a teacher has to go from one location to another location on the same day, a transportation fee / taxi fee would be given.


(b)� Training and planning: The teacher will be required to attend 3-5 hours of training and class planning sessions per week especially at the start of the contract (weekly training times may be reduced or cancelled as a teacher accumulate more experience). Hours accumulated during these times will not count towards the paid teaching hours but are considered part of a professional teacher�s job. These sessions are mandatory to ensure the teaching standards of the school are upheld.
�
(c) �Lesson summary: Teachers must prepare for their classes as well as write a short summary report after each class. Class preparation time is the responsibility of the teacher and is not considered part of a teaching hour. Teachers are required to write out lesson plans in advance of classes with the student�s assigned textbooks in mind. Open conversation periods during class are not considered to be teaching of the standard required by Rockies. Teachers who fail to follow the methodology and standards set out by the school may be required to attend extra training classes. (Please note that the time a teacher normally spends on writing up lesson plans and marking per week averages between 3-5 hours a week).

(d)��Code of conduct: If at any time during this contract the teacher breaches the school's code of conduct, they may be terminated without concession. This may result in a loss of bonus and/or pay depending on the circumstances. Ex. Actions that damage the reputation of the school or unethical behavior that results in the school losing students.����

(e)��Conflict of interest clause: The teacher will not accept employment or volunteer English teaching to any other entity without written consent of the Teaching Director or School manager.��

The teacher may undertake private tutoring as long as it does not interfere with their responsibilities with Rockies and the student is not a registered Rockies student.

The teacher will not, in any way or form, be employed by past or present client of Rockies. Clients of Rockies include any schools, companies, universities, kindergartens or any parents and students of Rockies with which Rockies have a working relationship and/or contract with for the past 3 years. This clause includes employment actively sought out by either the teacher or the client. Violation of this clause would result in the forfeiture of all earnings by Party A during the period of employment and possible action in the court of law.


(f)��Visa and travel fees: The teacher will be responsible for costs incurred in travel, the first visa application to enter China, related costs to obtain the first visa, passport fees, and any other fees related to arriving at the target city. The cost of airfare is not reimbursed by the company. However, a bonus is paid to help offset these costs. The reason is that Rockies cannot wire money overseas prior to the arrival of the teacher. Rockies will pay for visa renewal fees after the first one.

(g) �Intellectual property rights: Rockies owns the rights to the Rockies teaching manuals and any teaching material prepared by Rockies. Teachers are not allowed to pass on sections of information from the teaching manual to people not working for Rockies. Doing so is �just� cause for dismissal.

(h) Professionalism: Teachers are required to be on time and in their classrooms at the scheduled time and be fully prepared. This includes having all material required before beginning class. Teachers should be in the school at least 10 minutes before the beginning of their class in case any problems arise or messages need to be passed on. Failure to do so would result in a verbal or written warning from the school management as well as relegation to probationary status.

Leave entitlement

(a) Type of Leave: Leave falls into three categories: personal vacation days; public and school designated holidays; sickness/other absence.

(b) Leave and holiday are not paid and would be pro-rated.

(c) Early termination of contract: Teachers that give three months prior written notice to leave a school will not be subject to a fine, but will still forfeit all rights to any contractual bonus. Teachers who leave a school's employment or have their employment terminated before the end of the contract dates as specified at the head of this contract and do not give three months notice, will be subject to 5000 (five thousands) RMB fine.

Grievance procedure and disciplinary appeals

(a) Grievance procedure: In the event that teachers feels they have reason to be dissatisfied with any aspect of their employment including but not limited to housing, the school, or that Rockies is not fulfilling its contract obligations, the teacher should notify their Location and/or City Director of their concerns. The Location or City Director will clarify any perceived discrepancies or rectify any problems within three working days. If, after this period, the teacher still considers the situation to be unresolved the teacher is obligated to contact either Ernie Kwok ([email protected]), or someone else designated by the Rockies head office, who will ensure that Rockies is meeting the terms of this agreement. Any situation directed to the Rockies Head Office will be acted upon in no more than seven working days.

Misc. clauses
�
�
I, ____________________, agree to all stipulations and terms outlined in this contract. My signature below signifies that I understand all stipulations.
Teacher's Signature:____________________________________
Date:_________________________
�
�
I, ______________________, the representative of _________________________, agree that the teacher will follow all the stipulations and terms outlined in this contract.
Signature of Rockies or RCC Representative: ______________________________________
Date:________________________

[Simon in Suzhou]

One thing I would clarify...22.5 teaching hours probably means 30 classes per week, as usually classes are not a full hour long. This is a little deceptive. As well, that 22.5 hours a week is not really true, as their payment is based on 97 teaching hours a month (4.3 weeks?). Not every month has 4.3 weeks...does that mean you will get paid less if you don't fulfull the 97 hours a month, or will they just make you work extra hours per week for the same pay? I would avoid any place that plays games like this. As well, 30 classes a week is far too much- quick burnout.

Again, the 15 hours a week is probably 20 classes. I wouldn't work for this place, but another important question is how many hours a week they intend for you to be on-site (probably 40+ when you include the 2 hours a week for consulations).

1000 of this salary is housing...again, a little deceptive about the actual salary promoted (at least by how things are normally done in China outside the big cities).

You pay for your own visa? That's a big fail. "However a bonus is paid to offset these costs." It's not really a bonus if you're paying for what they should pay for.

No vacation time is listed...all holidays are unpaid and salary is pro-rated. BIG, BIG FAIL.

There are no sick days. Should you get sick, you are punished at a rate of 150RMB per hour, when your actual salary is only 92RMB per hour! Crappy.

I don't know this school or its reputation. They may be decent people and treat you fairly, but according to your contract you will works your A$$ off there. Maybe the first option would be ok for a newbie looking to get some experience under their belt. I would never recommend the second option. 40+ more classes a month for only 1000 RMB more??? Do the math. Seems like a bad joke.

[kev7161]

[mengli]

Thank you for your responses!

Just to clarify, this contract is the sample that was forwarded to me, and taking your comments in mind, I will definitely be changing some of the contract terms and asking for them to insert in detailed writing, the new terms.

So things I need to "fix":

-Sick leave up to...5 days per year? 10 days a year?
-all national holidays paid
-1 month of paid vacation during winter/summer?
-clearer terms on the different salary, housing, and "attendance" pays?
-a definitive answer on no more than 15 hrs a week of work in or out of the classroom?
-a definitive answer on payment being for 15 hrs a week per month versus 4.3 weeks?
-definition of what a class time length would be and how many classes Ill be teaching in those 15 hrs a week?
-definitive time and frequency of the 'feedback' times per week and the pay schedule for that?

[rogerwilco]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

The teacher will be required to attend 3-5 hours of training and class planning sessions per week

Teachers must prepare for their classes as well as write a short summary report after each class....averages between 3-5 hours a week

Add at least another 10 hrs. to your weekly schedule, easily.

So, dumb it down:

7000/m. No apartment provided. You give the school 30+ hrs. a week of your time. You're talking less than 50 yuan an hour. Add the 1000 yuan for apartment and maybe you are at 60 yuan an hour and you have to work a lot of hours to boot.

I'm assuming you do are not qualified if you are chasing after much ajob? Because there are piles of jobs that pay far more. Even dinky little colleges can offer housing and 5000 a month for 12-16 hrs. a week.

[Spyro]

Another thing to add is that spending 22.5 hours/week with 4-6 year olds is very tiring. It's not like teaching older kids. You are constantly shouting, dancing and singing. Furthermore, kids of that age can be very hard to manage. Considering the lack of perks you are receiving and the extra side work you are expected to do, you might find yourself burned out really quick.

I have a contract eerily similar to your second one and while I do enjoy the experience overall at my school, I know now I could've done much better (and I had the same amount of qualifications you had).

I think your best bet is to go with a public university position working 12 -16 hrs/ week while filling up your extra time with private students. I wouldn't take the second contract unless you were desperate.

[therock]

[milkweedma]

There are at least 14 old threads on this site about Rockies with negative posts about managements treatment of foreign teachers in them. At least read them before deciding to go with them.

[mengli]

Wow, thanks everyone!

I've been scouring the forum for any and all info on Rockies English and with those posts as well as the overwhelming negative views of this sample contract, I am definitely not going with this school and will keep looking for other opportunities.

If anyone has suggestions that I cannot miss, then please let me know!

Otherwise thanks again everyone, I've decided to pass on this offer.

[bluewalls]

[Non Sequitur]

Your decision noted Mengli and on balance and I feel it's the right one.
Rockies started in Dalian I think and I met Ernie once. He and his brothers/colleagues are from Canada - hence the name.
I normally counsel the least risk option for a first gig and that means public colleges and universities. Trouble is, without an ESL qual and experience you may not be that attractive to the public sector.
Another issue with the public sector is that their main hiring season doesn't start for a couple of months for Sept commencement.
Can you wait and use the time to get even an online ESL cert to boost your attractiveness?
If you're a young fit Caucasian beef up your CV with a few active lifestyle pics. Shooting hoops or in a nice social situation.
If the search function is operating from where you are try searching 'job offer checklist'. I OP'd something like this a few months ago and a lot of helpful stuff was posted. I got a blank white screen when I tried a few minutes ago.