Job Discussion Forums

[cherrytop]

Hi Everyone,

I am planning on teaching ESL for the first time in China, starting in August/September this year. I will be 22 years old this August, I'm Australian and I have a BA and TEFL.
I have been offered a position at ChengGong College of Henan University of Finance and Economics which is located in Gongyi City.
Does anyone have any experience with this college, either personally or second hand?
*Do they pay on time?
*What is their English program like?
*Do you think that maybe because of my age I may have any issues with my students, seeing as they will only be a few years younger than me?
*Do they expect you to work overtime or is it optional?

Any information would be of help to me and greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[sui jin]

It has been said before on another thread, but ask your Foreign Affairs Office for the phone number of a current Foreign Teacher and speak to him/her. Things change rapidly. and you need the current lowdown.

I heard of one college where the 'regular' FTs were gradually pushed out by Christian types. This would be my worst nightmare, ending up somewhere where all the other FTs were missionaries in disguise.

Have a checklist of things to ask -
accommodation
courses you will teach
type of students (english major or not - can make a big difference)
local amenities
attitude of the 'leaders'
internet connection
friendliness of other FTs
pollution
any other issues

[AlexB]

Hi Cherrytop - I also got offered a contract by them this morning and was coming online in search of info on them. Like you this would be my first teaching gig and I'm only 22 (British, MA, CELTA).

A while ago I did find a blog from some current teachers at the school, I've bookmarked it on my laptop but can't currently find it from this pc, so I'll post up a link later. Having read the contract I had a few concerns which I'll pm you about to see if yours is the same. Apart from anything, what I know of Gongyi is that its not exactly a huge and exciting place - might be a bit tough for us first timers.

[cherrytop]

Hey AlexB thank you for that, I PM'd you some info I have.

Cheers!

[AlexB]

I've found a few links on trusty old google - one from Daves that doesnt actually say much, but is someone asking about the college last year, and two blogs from current teachers.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=62008&highlight=gongyi

The original blog I found
http://jessandphill.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html

And another - much of the recent stuff is in French, but if you go to the older posts they're (mostly) in English
http://felixxx-da-traveller.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00%2B08%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00%2B08%3A00&max-results=30

A few choice quotes for you:
You were concerned about your age - "All the classes I am assigned are sophomores, therefore they are about 19-20 years old. I was quite apprehensive at first because of the very low age gap putting me almost at their level, but in Chinese society (as in many places in the world, at the exception of, you know, North America), teacher is a highly respected profession. The vast majority of the students are very polite (I giggle like a little girl every time somebody calls me Mister Felix) and those who aren't, at worst they don't give a shit and just look away when I engage a verbal exchange with them in class, until I reiterate my approach (heille le cave, c'est ma JOB de t'apprendre l'angla faque argore mo� pis r�ponds ma question). Then, he quits playing with his cell phone and looks over his classmate shoulder to see what page he was supposed to be at for the past 25 minutes. Still, I cannot imagine a student openly and verbally disrespecting a teacher, and my colleagues who have been in this biz for a long time and to whom I have asked about it told me it has never happened to them. I also don't want to imagine what would happen to this poor kid after he has to face the discipline board or whatever."

Something seems to have happened in November that led to 3 teachers leaving rather unceremoniously - but neither blog seems willing to post it on the web - I guess we'll have to ask.
However, "am still in a great fucking mood most of the time, and I spend a lot of time with my new friends. The classes are OK most of the time, and the school administration doesn't impress me anymore with its bullshit. My morale is unaffected by it. And the winter vacation is coming soon!"

[cherrytop]

I like the French guy, especially the part about the photocopies.
From what I can assume after reading a fair chunk of that...it actually seems quite normal. I mean that you are there mainly because you are a white face and a native English speaker. I do feel sorry for the students however I think that this seems to be common practice in China, from what I have read on these message boards. I personally like the idea of independent lesson planning rather than having to take lessons straight from a book.
I think I will take the weekend to think about it more and then proabably make a decision early next week as I need to plan the trip I'm taking before I head to China.

When it comes down to the crunch, everythig in life is a risk I suppose.
Did you get the emails I PM'd to you?

[DrClownius]

One of my colleagues told me, laughing, that my blog was featured on the Dave's ESL Cafe message board... I called major bullshit, but apparently he was right

So yeah, I'm the "French guy" you're talking about, even though I'm far from being French. I didn't know I had such a beefy readership... hmmm perhaps I should consider writing in English again.

I know I'm a bit late and Ms. Cherrytop probably made her decision by now, but here it is:

*Do they pay on time? They do. Nobody ever got a problem.

*What is their English program like? Can't have any basis for comparison... I guess it's pretty standard for an institution of this type. They have English majors, and other majors. Everybody teaches a bit of both. You get textbooks provided, but most of them are terribly not level-appropriate, boring, or useless. You can provide your own teaching materials though; most of us do it.

*Do you think that maybe because of my age I may have any issues with my students, seeing as they will only be a few years younger than me?
Half of the staff is in its early twenties. Shouldn't be a problem in class at all, and it will be easier for you to make some friends among the student corps.

*Do they expect you to work overtime or is it optional?
Last semester, three of our colleagues left halfway. IMPORTANT: I mentioned it in the blog and somebody brought it up, but it has NOTHING to do with the College. Basically, just so you know, two teachers fought over some bullshit and they were "asked to leave".
so then, the rest of the staff had to take over the classes (paid overtime for everybody). That's the only case I can think of. Schedules are pretty regular.


My contract will end soon, and I didn't renew, but only because I have other travel plans. I seriously had a great year here overall. The College is private, brand new, and very profit-driven, that's the root of all the (pretty minor, after all) problems teachers have. There is a lack of communication between the leaders and the foreign staff, but from what I've heard, it's pretty standard in such chinese colleges.

But overall, people are nice, the appartments are gigantic, with internet and everything, LOTS of free time (it is 12:55 now, and my teaching day doesn't start for almost two hours).

And Gongyi... well, it is hit or miss. I love Gongyi, but my friends think I'm crazy. It is quite "small" (only several hundred thousands), and 400% Chinese. I personnally think it is great for a first experience in China (note: I came here not knowing a word of Chinese), but if you can't go without your weekly pizza or trip to the expat bar, well, there are none. But if you like to hike in the hills, chill, and actually discover unspoiled China, you can give it a try. Plus, the location is pretty central and nice for travelling.

Any other questions? glad if I could have been of any help

[Dark Machine]

[SoulTourist]

There's a book about a teacher that taught at Chenggong College in Gongyi, Henan. Its "Teaching in China - Seven Dog Years" by Charlotte Salyer. Salyer's comments are interesting and very informative.

[scholar]

Thanks, soul. It's good to look back at some of the Dave's Classics every few years or so.