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Posts: 36

Governor

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Q: Demo classes, yes or no

So, I got an interviews with 3 training centers.

 

For one of them I did some teaching, but was requested (demanded) by all 3 to make a demo class first.

 

At 1st center, I did demo class for 2 hours. Not smart, I know, but thought this is usual practice. Although I can't prove it, I believe that student paid this 2 hours to training center, but I just never heard from them again.

 

At 2nd center, I did some demo classes and got some students. One of this demo was over an hour, which I didn't get paid since it was "demo", but wasn't exactly rip-off, since I got some students from other demo classes at this center. Fine.

 

At 3rd center, they asked to do demo for a guy who interviewed me. Fine, I can do this. But later they called me, to go with 2 people from this center to some ladies house to have a demo class with their kids. After finishing the class, I noticed that lady handed them over 500RMB, but I didn't get a single RMB from it. Answer was, if she will choose you, we will contact you. WTF, you just got paid for my teaching!

 

After that, I decided to simply not do anymore "demos".

 

How about you, do you have free demo classes or not? 

 

My policy will be simply, if you don't like it after first hour, you can choose someone else. It doesn't really bother me, that student choose someone else, but that training centers charge this demo classes and give you nothing.

9 years 19 weeks ago in  Teaching & Learning - China

 
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Comments (37)
Posts: 1300

Shifu

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Sounds like they're all scam schools to me. 

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9 years 19 weeks ago
 
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I don't do demos, I usually give them to the foreign teachers I manage.

mike695ca:

you dont even try to mask the bragging anymore. Your just out with it bam!  Look out guys, Eorthisio  got promoted to "Director of Studies"  And hes feeling himself!!

9 years 19 weeks ago
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9 years 19 weeks ago
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9 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1059

Shifu

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I hate doing demo classes,they judge you on a demo, when it take time to build a relationship with the children you will teach.

 

 

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9 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2488

Emperor

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People that dont do demos are doing themselves a disservice. Demos let you show off your skills which is really important for salary negotiations.  Of course if you suck at demos this isnt a great idea.  

 

I did 30 minute high energy demos, thats enough to get a sense of a teaching style. 

 

Although you sound like your running into alot of scams.  Going to someones house for a demo, would be a no-go in my books. 

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9 years 19 weeks ago
 
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If it's for a high-paying corporate training gig then definitely.

Training centers and normal schools, definitely not. Although, if you're a non-native speaker, I could understand an organization asking you to do one. 20 minutes, tops.

Johoho:

I'm not a native speaker, but have heard from natives, that they are required to do the same in most cases.

 

Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea, that I do demo classes, but limit it to, say, 30 min max at the training center.

 

But for sure, I am not giving free classes anymore. 2 hours demo!? It was just stupid.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Eorthisio:

2h classes no break are a joke, even senior teachers who know their topic by heart don't last that long without a break. It sounds like a nightmare to me.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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royceH:

I've done 2 hr classes without a break.  But, then again, I'm a legend in my own lunchbox!

Nowadays I do a weekly 90 min class without a break.  No probs there at all.  I'm awesome.

 

9 years 19 weeks ago
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9 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 258

Shifu

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When applying for jobs here, I've been asked to give Skype demos. I refuse to do these. I can't give a lesson to an imaginary class. I'd consider an on-site demo at a reputable school, but only if I didn't have to travel too far to do it. I got my current job without any interview at all.

Eorthisio:

Some no name school once has the guts to ask me to fly 600km at my own expense to do a demo class, without being sure about getting the job, I told them okay I will be here on a "imaginary date" and never been, they called me a good 50 times on that date, sent me text about students waiting for me, they really thought I would travel 600km for that, they have a high self esteem.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Johoho:

That comment above is actually funny.

 

Nice to hear reverse "scam" for a change :D

 

I bet they said, we should have never trusted weiguoren.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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9 years 19 weeks ago
 
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If you're a good teacher, then you are excited to do a demo class because you know you can put on a show and get that extra increase they mentioned on their ad (Salary higher based on experience.)

Sinobear:

The problem is with HR - if they can actually read and understand a resume, then they know they're hiring a good teacher and will set your starting salary appropriately. If they are clueless, they'll start the negotiating process with Chinese characteristics (read: see how low you're willing to go).

Some schools/training centers are willing to shoot themselves in the foot by not budging on some arbitrary ceiling and make excuses that they cannot find a qualified foreign teacher simply because they're not willing to pay the going rate for one.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Eorthisio:

I am sure that Martha, 52 with decades of experience teaching English in the US would be glad to do so in China, she is a dedicated, loving teacher. Her students always got good results and most of them are now working in high-paying jobs, some even became CEOs of big companies. But she won't teach for less than 25000/month (that she deserves considering her qualifications and experience) and no more than 17 classes per week so that she has enough time prepare the lessons and teaching materials according to the well respected Longman curriculum. Also Martha is kind of an introvert, not jumping around to make the kids laugh. Not what China is looking for.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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9 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 5156

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Demo classes are an opportunity. But 2 hours is ridiculous unless they pay me. I think they just didn't want you teaching at their school. Where are you from?

Johoho:

From EU, white and blond (don't crucify me for this, I didn't make up the rules).

 

One training center got me some students, another was a complete scam, there was only one man band small cramped office and even smaller class room. They asked me to do 2 hours demo, which I did, since I thought this was a regular practice.

 

The last training center called me to do some demo again, but after I did it for 2 hours and they got 500RMB, leaving me with nothing, I said NO!

 

For this final training center, my guess is that 2 employees who came along to that ladies house, just split 500RMB between and told (lied) to their training center, that client wasn't happy with demo.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Englteachted:

Something is odd with you. Are you a real person? EU is not a country.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Johoho:

Something is odd with you if you can't understand post.

 

Where are you from - From planet Earth, from Pacific region, from States, from Australia, from New York, from EU (which is region of several countries). Any of this answers is answer to the question above. And for the record, even if the question would be, which country are you from, I wouldn't give specific answer okay.

 

Dam, I hate it when people go through posts, looking for specific small mistakes and feel the need to "correct" other posters, especially of those, who have nothing useful to say otherwise.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Englteachted:

Ok, you are a Chinese poser. I didn't correct any of your many chinglish mistakes. I knew 2 hours was a lie. Training school classes are typically an hour. Hampson demos are 10 minutes.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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ironman510:

Agreed, 2 hours does seem like a scam, (teach for free while you're here.)

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Johoho:

@Englteachted afkurs ajm chinese poster, registr and post hire just bekose I dont have anithing else to do, oh no, I wil get payd wu mao for each post

 

Or maybe I have a full time employment in China and search for a side gig to get some pocket money, instead of spending time in local water holes, like many other foreigners do.

 

And again, some wannabe English teacher who has nothing better to do in his life, than scaning posts, searching and reminding people of their grammar and other mistakes. Get a life.

 

As for 2 hours demo was a lie, well, it wasn't, but suit yourself. I came here to get some answers, not to feed a troll.

 

@ironman, yeah I'm not gonna do demos over 30 min anymore and nowhere outside of training center or school.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Englteachted:

"And again, some wannabe English teacher who has nothing better to do in his life, than scaning posts, searching and reminding people of their grammar and other mistakes. Get a life"

 

Where and when did I ever correct your grammar? 

9 years 19 weeks ago
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royceH:

Don't worry about it Jojo.....Ted does this.

 

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Englteachted:

royce: you would be wise to read all of this moron's posts before hitching your wagon to him. 'Birds of a feather...' 

And I'll ask you the same question, where did I ever correct this clown's English mistakes (and there are many to choose from).

9 years 19 weeks ago
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icnif77:

Ted-DBayersurprise from Ca-na-da-da & Engl-ted from Ame-ri-ca-ca.....after lengthy analysis by Sun-Bruce-Yat-Tze

9 years 19 weeks ago
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9 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 860

Shifu

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Yeah demo classes is just another way of conning you. What other job makes you do a some work for free to start off with? Unfortunately it so widespread it seems unavoidable. Don t think there is a school in shanghai where you would get a teaching gig without doing them, especially if they are paying 17 to 19000 a month. they also all reduce the salary for between 1 to 3 months. totally unfair and not what is advertised.

Eorthisio:

Some employers even have the balls to ask you to spend your own money (not small amounts) while they take all the benefits, before you get your first salary (when it's not a scam).

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Posts: 164

Governor

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Dont do demos.  in the event you do, you have already surrenderd to them.  best is you control the leverage in employer/employee relationship

expatlife26:

That's a good thought but it's only true where you have leverage to begin with. If they can find someone else who will do demo classes and you won't...then you don't get the job.

 

The real question is do you WANT the job? If you want it, and that's what is required of you than yeah do it.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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9 years 19 weeks ago
 
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2 hour demo class? 

sounds like BS to me because anyone who has been asked for one, it is never more than 30 minutes.

Likewise a demo class in a family home.

 

your subsequent comments to your original post make you sound like a BS'er, so how are other forum members supposed to react in a helpful way if you are an unreliable poster?

 

Johoho:

Your opinion (whether you believe it or not) is hardly relevant to the original question: whether you do demos or not.

 

Accusing somebody to be BSr and expect him to prove it otherwise is stupid. You are fat - prove me that you are not.

 

I shared my story, and yes it was a mistake for me to accept it (2 times).

 

But for the sake of argument I signed contract with them for 6 months for part time teaching, so I thought I needed to do demos in order to get students. And I still have that contract (training center in Beijing on line 6), so you can politely stick your opinion - you know where. 

 

I hate to be rude, but fat feminist clowns don't deserve other kind of attitude.

 

Anyway, I'd just like to hear whether teachers at the training centers generally do demo classes or not, since I have had this bad experience and want to avoid it in the future.

 

You sorrel, in the meantime, can go eat some more cookies and gutter oil noodles.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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sorrel:

(sigh)

as i said, you have proved yourself an unreliable poster, so how can anyone judge if you are BSing or not if you undermine the credibility your own posts with contradictory comments?

resorting to name calling is the classic way to short cut a discussion when someone is not able to justify a point of view.

 

good luck in your future 

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Johoho:

So not only you are fat, but lack literacy too.

 

There is not a single line or word of inconsistency in my posts, as it is exactly what happened.

 

Perhaps just hard to comprehend for someone with brains in a size of a snail eye.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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sorrel:

wink

 

"Or maybe I have a full time employment in China and search for a side gig to get some pocket money, instead of spending time in local water holes, like many other foreigners do......

............As for 2 hours demo was a lie, well, it wasn't, but suit yourself."

 

this part of your comment seems inconsistent to your original post.

maybe it was written in haste, I don't know.

 

 

please do yourself a favour and keep it civil.

 

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Johoho:

I keep it civil with nice people, not clowns.

 

What in the world is inconsistent in this, yeah I have a job (not teaching btw), and went to couple interviews for part time teaching and did some afternoon/weekend days (demo) classes.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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sorrel:

thank you for clarifying.

It would have been a great help to all of us here had be been in possession of this information.

you are aware then that any teaching gig will know you will be working illegally and **** you over in any number of ways, so of course they will push you as far as they can.

also teaching needs extreme patience, so ask yourself, if you are prepared to possibly be arrested and deported for the sake of a few extra bucks in an environment that can test even the most experienced professional?

 

This site has been flooded BSers and trolls, especially new posters, so members are alert to those who appear to be advocating anything illegal.

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Johoho:

I didn't come to ask for a law advice, just want to know if it's a regular practice to do demo classes and if so, how long.

 

And maybe I am not asking for me but my friend, I would never do anything like that smiley

9 years 19 weeks ago
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sorrel:

so the story so far:

 - you did a 2 hour demo class

 - no, you are not a teacher, but did some demo classes

 - no, you would never do anything like that: it was a friend who did the demo

 - but maybe it was you who did the the demo classes, maybe not

 

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Johoho:

Yes, something like that. surprise

9 years 19 weeks ago
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sorrel:

anyone care to sum up in one word ?

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Johoho:

Funny thing about all this is, you probably feel good about yourself and your answers, maybe even think how you can "outsmart" someone like that. Well, being focused is what girls usually don't have anyway. Now, if a girl is a little bit slow, even more so. Oh well

9 years 19 weeks ago
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sorrel:

boo hoo

my feelings have been sooooo hurt cool

 

whatever gets you though the day wink

9 years 19 weeks ago
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Johoho:

Fatty

9 years 19 weeks ago
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9 years 19 weeks ago
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expatlife26:

What a strange exchange...how did it come to that so quickly?

9 years 19 weeks ago
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9 years 19 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2763

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I just did a half hour demo, so I say yes. If it's a good job or the one you want, and they want a demo, you either do the demo or find something else. It's that simple. 

Nervous? You're a teacher. It is simply not allowed. Will you fuck up? Perhaps, sooner or later! So what?

I did a demo once where I mis-stepped off the dais. Twice. I got the job. 

Ask any 'real' teacher; teaching is part show business. You are the leader. Do something. Purpose and a sense of humor win every time.

 

Then again, OP, you're getting done like a $2 whore. Actually, I guess you're free!

Johoho:

Yeah, half an hour sounds reasonable.

 

As for the nervous part, not nervous at all, just don't like wasting time 1h riding the subway + 2h demo for nothing

9 years 19 weeks ago
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