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Dangers of teaching English in China
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md1101 -

just came across an interesting article about some possible perils of teaching english in china.
thought some of you may be interested in it.

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/national/162647/



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kdavid -

Unfortunately, situations like this do occur, and when they do it's just outright sad.

As an expat living and teaching in China, a few words of wisdom to those considering teaching in
China:

1. Research! Research! Research. Google the potential school's name + feedback. Ask managers for a
list of recommendations from previous or current teachers. If they respond with a
"confidentiality" statement, drop the idea of working for that school. Any reputable institution
will offer up former or current teachers' emails for feedback.

2. Look for a school with joint western-Chinese management. This is particularly important in
terms of communicating with the school before departure and throughout your contract.

3. Have a confirmed final copy of the contract in your hands before leaving, and DO NOT sign it
until you have personally seen anything listed within the contract (the school, your flat,
offices, etc.) and have seen that your empolyer has lived up to the agreed standards.

4. Many reputable institutions will arrange your Z visa before you leave via FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.
This does not mean that good schools always will (mine was converted after arrival), but many will
before departure.

5. More research! Don't take the first job that is offered to you. When applying / looking at
schools in China I was offered positions by literally hundreds of schools, most of which seemed
dodgy. The school I eventually ended up working for took a bit of "digging," as they weren't
desperate for teachers (as many poor-quality schools are).

6. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.

That's all I can think of. Stay safe. China is a wonderful country. I fell in love with the
country and people after only 2 weeks. The language isn't as difficult to pick up as everyone back
home thinks with diligent and daily study. Feel free to ask me questions via PM.










Hero Doug -

You know from what I've experienced every school is going to have a problem and do something
(usually many) unprofessional.

This is the first I've heard of Murder or assult. The only problem is that should something
happen, the foreign teacher is always at a disadvantage. The only real effective avenue you have
is to leave.










imitation -

People who don't do there research getting exploited in China, who'd have thunk it....










Hero Doug -

You're right, but it's not always easy though. The first school I went to here started out ok, but
near the end of my first year when the Center Manager left and the new ones (quite a few came and
went) came things so quickly went down hill. Teacher weren't getting their full air-fare, a new
contract that gives the schools the right to fine employees for most anything came into effect,
teachers were being refused their housing allowance, and more. This is over the course of two
months. Things can change fast, and getting out of a contract isn't always easy.










roddy -

True - places can go from bad to great to worse to closed to fantastic, depending on who is in
charge, who's working there, how good business is, etc. Plus, even doing a whole load of research
isn't always going to help - there simply isn't any information for a lot of places, a lot of what
is out there is from people who don't know what they're talking about, etc, etc. Even the most
careful, experience and prepared people hit problems (although they hit a lot less of them, and
get out a lot quicker when they do.)










magores -

First, let me say that I feel bad for the people that have had bad experiences in China, and even
worse for the family of the deceased person.

I guess, I think I should change my nickname to "The Lucky Guy"

I'm literally 5 days away from finishing my 1st year as an English teacher in Beijing.

Next Wednesday (the 15th), I'm heading back to the States to see family, renew visa, etc, and then
coming right back (28th).

I like the people I work with. I like what I do and where I do it.

Are there things that aren't exactly perfect? Of course. It's a job. I have managers. I don't
always agree with their decisions. But, I can respect the reasons for the decisions. (Which the
directors at my school share with me.)

(I'm oldish, so I'll share a little bit of reality for those that haven't realized it yet...
Disagreeing is common in the workplace. Managers sharing reasons for decisions is far too
uncommon.)

And... China is not the US. Things are a bit different here. Some things happen slower than I
would prefer. Other things happen quicker. And other things just happen differently.

There are things that I am perfectly happy with, that others may not be.
-My school pays me 3 or 4 days before the contract requires it, every time. But, I don't make as
much as some other people, and as much as I know I could at other places.
-I was provided with a 2 bedroom apartment for myself to live in. But, I live in a locals area.
Unless, I "go out", I literally go for a month at a time without seeing another foreigner. Also, a
locals xili may not be up to the expectations of some people.
-I walk 15 minutes to the school that I work at. Ummm... Can't complain about this at all.

I have a tremendous amount of leeway in scheduling classes, curriculum, etc. (I had taught in the
US before coming to China.)

---

I read the horror stories before I came. I read them still, even after I have been here for a
year. Just makes me appreciate my situation even more.

Like I said, I feel lucky in a lot of ways.

---

And, yes. We are currently hiring 1 or 2 English Teachers. PT/FT DOQ.










roddy -



Quote:

(I'm oldish, so I'll share a little bit of reality for those that haven't realized it yet...
Disagreeing is common in the workplace. Managers sharing reasons for decisions is far too
uncommon.)

A lot of the problems people have are due to their teaching job in China being their first
full-time job, and it being the first time they've lived abroad. A few extra years under your belt
make a lot of difference.










badr -

I think there's just so much more to the situation than one single argument/article can cover. A
lot of times, you might not have any idea about what went wrong.

My wife and I spent 2 wonderful years teaching at a university and things were so good we signed
up for a 3rd year. Then the president changed and things went sour really quickly and fast. Within
1 month, we packed and left.










Ascendancy9 -

My one and only experiance in teaching English in China was 100% positive. However I organised
that employment (only 1 month though) through my own contacts and as such didn't have to worry
about one of these dodgy agencies.

I would say that the majority of experiance of teaching English in China will be rewarding and
interesting, if you are patient, hardworking and enthusiastic. These dangers, discussed in the
article, are certainly very much in the minority.












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