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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Newbie unsure about job offer at Always Education
I have been offered a job at Always Education & Exchange Center in Jinan, China. I've read a few scathing reviews on the internet and was wondering if anyone has any up to date info on them?
They have offered a good package: $10,000 for 27 hours (no office hours), $10,000 flight reimbursement, unshared furnished apartment, health insurance.
Thanks in advance.
9 years 44 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
You mean 10000RMB not USD right? For 27h/week, not bad, although 27 teaching hours per week means a few more hours per week to prepare your classes, above the average in China for foreign teachers, but then again salaries are low in the ESL industry. Make sure that the furnished "apartment" is an actual apartment.
10K is good for <20 hrs/wk.
I wonder why people read so many "scathing reviews" and then expect that a company has suddenly turned themselves around. I've seen many companies go from bad to worse not a one go from pathetic to professional.
First time teaching in China? Sure it's a good salary.
ask the following questions and make sure these are included clearly in the contract once agreed:
Who pays for utilities: electricity, water etc?
is wi-fi included in the contract?
how long are the classes? 45 minutes or 1 hour?
does 27 hours mean 27 hours in a class-room or 27 'teaching hours'?
will you be expected to do any additional activities outside of class hours?
can you see photo's of the accommodation?
how much travel time expected between accommodation and school?
be sure to get ALL the details of peripheral's clearly outlined in writing to your satisfaction before you accept.
Don't accept any fuzziness on their part.
Don't accept anything other than legal work.
if they fudge answers to these and other basic questions, it is up to you if you want to possibly be scammed.
good luck and enjoy !
Shining_brow:
What classes are you 'teaching'? How many are different? Or are they all the same? How old are the students? How many in a class? What levels are they?
Be aware that MANY will bait and switch... and they'll say that this is what the contract says, but in reality... blah blah blah. Or, this is a 'standard' contract, and we can't change it... blah blah blah! And, also, quite often, the contract you sign before getting there is then thrown away, and you're expected to sign a new contract.
I'm assuming the salary offered will most certainly be RMB,-Yuan and not dollars. So don't be flying high just yet. Follow the 'wise one's [sorrel] advice, however ask about who supplies or helps with your Z visa [work visa] a requirement, your FEC [foreign expert certificate], residence permit, health insurance and holidays. Any other visa besides 'Z' does not allow you to work legally. "You do this at your peril ".. Also clarify that the salary stated is before or after tax or any other hidden deductions. Do you get paid for extra classes? What date and how will your salary be paid. Will you be required to 'Jump Jockey' between 2-3 dfferent schools. Don't be shy with the questions. Good Luck.
if it smells a little bad it probably is bad. demand is way greater than supply for english teachers therefore i think you could get a much more competitive salary in a different teaching position. my friend told me of somebody that started off on 17000 rmb a month in a shanghai kindergarten. 27 teaching hours is probably too much depending on how intensive the lessons are. i wouldn t do anything over 25.ideally it be around 20 hours. remember you will have to prepare for each lesson so when they advertise no office hours its usually meaningless. go for something better.
when you get to jinan, finish your contract and send me a private message, i have phone numbers for 12 schools direct hire contacts if you want something else, most pay less but you have more free time and your weekends will be free to travel, always is ok, say hello to toby when you get there.
best english is the only school paying better than always in jinan and amio, but amio is too strict on your time and rules to mess with, good luck.