Recently we discovered that a number of our acquaintances who are still employed with Worlda have actually been informed by the police, who came into their schools to check in on the foreign teacher situation, that they were, in fact, working illegally. If caught again, they may face deportation. This, apparently, is not unheard of, as many schools (especially kindergartens) are not actually licensed to have foreigners working in them.

Hmmm... Wonder how Worlda are going to fare with the new visa rules and related crackdowns?

I heard many stories from Worlda teachers when I lived in Guangzhou, some told me that they originally believed that the negative reviews were written by bitter ex teachers that had been fired or something and ignored them, only to eventually learn the hard way. They seem to have a strange business model which relies upon recruiting inexperienced rather than experienced and skilled teachers that are easier to take advantage of.

Some of the stories are just unbelievable and I don't really have enough time to mention them all... However, I still remember when they posted all those fake positive reviews on here, only to get rumbled by somebody finding pictures of the 'handwriting' hosted on Worlda's site. Most of those fake reviews then got deleted by Worlda, the reviews actually included the e-mail addresses of Worlda's HR department too.

My name is Craig. I have been working for Worlda for three years and have just signed up to work another year. With Worlda I know that all of my working permits and legal documents are correct and up to date. I can be confident that I am legally working in China.
Worlda has alliances with many schools in China, both public and private. They can provide a great variety of working experiences with students of all ages.
Worlda’s capable staff is able to assist me with any problems that arise whether personal or professional. This is essential for anyone new to China. Worlda is able to provide accommodations they arrange or they can assist you in finding accommodations of your own if you so choose.
Worlda has always done what they have promised to do. I have always been paid on time and treated fairly.
I have greatly enjoyed my time here in China. Guangzhou is a wonderful and endlessly fascinating city. It is at once completely modern yet still traditional. You can experience the life of a big city as well as the life of an intimate neighborhood. I have no hesitation in recommending Worlda. I am sure you will have a great experience if you come here.

Hmmm... There is a 'handwritten' version of the same letter from 'Gary' on Worlda's website... Gary must really love his company to do that, I just don't understand why he sent the same letter to his company?

http://www.worldaedu.com/english/foreign.php

http://www.worldaedu.com/english/cases_show.php?id=128&&class2_id=9

I assume the health check is standard for those on Z visas, but I have absolutely no idea what the deal is with the "foreign expert certificate." I do know the money for both the health check and the "expert certificate" does not go to the company, so that provides some credibility, I guess...

Disclaimer: I am not now nor have I ever been affiliated with this company. I do not support nor do I condemn the company, but I do care that the readers here get the best information to help them in their journeys. This information is from various people that have been involved with Worlda:

Mary Yu aka Mary Yuq is the HR manager for Worlda.

1) Most teachers seem to be just fine with obtaining the Z visa. I don't know why some posters here had issues with their passports being withheld for a long time - from what I know, this was not an issue for the other teachers.

You will have to do a medical exam back home AND a medical exam in China at a cost of 448 yuan plus potential lost and unpaid time off work.

You will pay another 400 yuan for your resident visa, assuming you go through normal channels, as there are exceptions to this rule.

If they told you they will pay for either of these two costs, you were mislead; both will need to be paid by you. There were different teachers recently that were promised one of these would be paid for, then had to pay out of pocket.

2) The apartments range from sub-standard to standard. Some teachers dealt with unclean apartments upon move in, as well as mold issues. You should expect to clean heavily. However, the apartments are generally nice for China: western toilets, furnished, etc. Locations are generally decent relative to the schools. Buses are accessible, and you can always purchase a bike for 100-300+ yuan.

On a side note, I'm a bit confused as to one of the previous posts and how they were having issues with gas in their apartment leaking, yet they chose to remain indoors, "dying." Were you locked inside the apartment? I apologize for my digression, but your reaction seems similar to "there's a fire, I should wait here until somebody physically picks me up and moves me away from it." Why did you not simply wait outside?

3) Pay is subjective. There is no agreement as to how much they pay you, other than the amount you expect per your contract. They do indeed pay for holidays, contrary to what was mentioned, but they may not pay you for something else you'd expect to be paid for. It is not simply "per class" nor per "hours worked." There is no standard other than what you think you agree to. Pay is not terrible, from what I hear, but it could always be better. Averages seem to be between 6000 and 7000 per month. The contract states you will work 20 hours a week, but most teachers have less class time than this. Most teachers have around 25 classes per week at about 40 minutes per class. As far as the company is concerned, this is what you get paid for. Not for being at the school, but for actually physically teaching. Additionally, expect unpaid periods such as pre-teaching training and trips to the office for various reasons. "Paid work" means something different in this instance, compared to what you are used to.

4) Utilities are subjective. From what I have heard, teachers don't receive bills directly but rather receive amounts from the company that are deducted from their pay without proof up front. I believe this is something that could probably be sorted out with the company, but expect a hassle.

Furthermore, if you were quoted 150-200 yuan per month for utilities, this is far less than you will actually pay (by roughly half).

5) Time off is impossible past 1 or 2 working days. Normally this will not be a problem, but this is something you should be aware of.

6) Contracts: If you receive any less than 3 contracts, or 4 contracts including the government contract, you are missing documents. There should be 1 "Working Norms and Systems of Work" contract, 1 "Dormitory Regulations for Foreign Teachers" contract, and 1 "Employment Contract," as well as 1 standard government contract. I advise you to read these carefully and look for potential issues that you will not think about before you depart. I should repeat this: review your documents CAREFULLY, and make sure you absolutely understand every section.

For example, if you decide to cancel your contract, even with 30 days' notice, you will not get reimbursed any of your airfare (they will not pro-rate it, should you cancel it early - e.g. you work 3/4 or 4/5 months and then have to leave for any possible reason, you will be responsible for your airfare). Furthermore, there are many other nuances that are present that would make even the most novice attorney grimace upon reviewing. Ask yourself if you are in the financial position to afford round trip airfare should something go wrong during your employment.

7) Teaching: different teachers get different assignments with Worlda. Some get decent deals, and some get screwed. Some teachers work 6 days a week (including Saturdays) and others work less. There is not necessarily any agreement before you arrive. Understand that if you arrive and are miserable, you can simply leave, but airfare and your initial stay in a hotel will be your financial responsibility.

If you have any questions, please post here and I will do my best to answer them for you.

i was hired by thiis company in 2008 and only signed a 3 mos contract.

upon arrival, they took my passport claiming that they will have to report itto the police that i have arrived. suppose it's a protocol to any foreigners in china and as a first timer, i have to buy that idea that they will have to do that for me.

before flying to china, i have asked her if i needed a physical examination and she said no. day after first meeting her in guangzhou, her assistant called me and apparently, i needed to see one. it pissed me off because i could have done it at home where I have an insurance for it and now, i have to pay for that physical examination in china. though they said i am entitled to a health benefit program, apparently i am not because i am only hired for 3 mos contract. nevertheless, it's still not fair because i already have asked her about it prior to my trip to china and she said no.

next day, i am asking for my passport back but they didn't want to return it until after sometime. i fought for it but it was claimed in a safety deposit or some crap.

i got paid with no receipt or whatsoever. i have asked for it but i was told, i don't have to pay taxes in canada. partly true since my salary was not huge anyway, but i think i still have the right to ask for it just for the heck of formality.

mary yuq is a scam. she claims canadian and have lived in toronto. she also claims that she have taught in toronto public schools but one day, i made her tell me her canadian experience. why? i noticed that everytime i bring up toronto, she changes the subject about her trip in australia or some chinese cities.

apparently, she only have done voluntary teaching assistant work in "toronto schools" for few weeks and possibly a community daycare centres therefore she is not a real previous toronto public school teacher like she always claim.

one day, her "assistant" fail to listen to me about my gas tank in my apartment. few hrs later, my whole apartment smelt like gas so i called her to rescue me. I WAS DYING! she didn't listen and so i have to bug her every 5 minutes and tell her its not ok and i will call a police so they can probably send me and EMS. she started yelling at me and told me to calm down because she is in a different city 2 hrs away from guangzhou.. SOOO THE QUESTION IS: she was ignoring me but when i mentioned the presence of a police, why did she start freaking out, right?

sooooo finally she sent someone to rescue me around 2 AM bc i was dying from inhaling gas. i thought it was nice of her to send me to a hotel which to my surprise a house of mosquito and later on charge me for that night.

i can't remember anything else she has failed me with since it was a year ago but something i will not forget is getting a phone call one day and telling me that i have to go to hongkong the following day to exit and re-enter china for visa purposes and that's when i finally got a hold of my passport.

i guess she tried to be nice too. she sent me fruits wc only 2 apples are edible. the rest are rotten or over ripe.

beware of this lady. she is extremely rude too!

"WORLDY" has just changed its name to "WORLDA". Still the same Mary Yuq (sometimes "Mary Yu") and the same dirty tactics prevail. Avoid this company when you come to Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, in China. I have spent a year with them. When they contact you they say they are the employer and you sign a contract with them because you don't know any better. In reality, after you sign a contract, and they'll send you to a school ("WORLDA" is not a school). They have an office in the city, and they contract schools on different terms. When you start working they will deduct about 40% of what the school pays to them every month for your services. They do not do any more things for you than the school can do itself (visa, work permit, etc), and will deduct illegaly (comparing to official government contracts) pay for holidays, airfare reimburesement, etc. Schools in China follow the law and you don't need an agent for it. WORLDY / WORLDA had me running to Hongkong for extensions of my visa just to tell me at the end of the year that I've been working in China illegaly!!!. It could sometimes to be a challenge to find out what amount the school is really paying for your teaching, but with a few friends around the school, after a while you will know.
The bottom line is, be safe and have a contract signed directly with a school. If you still prefer to have an agent, stay away from WORLDY / WORLDA in Guangzhou, China. I've heard that there are some agents in Guangzhou that are still honest but after this experience I am going safe.
Teaching is a passion and a business. Let's keep the vultures out of it.

Because of various reasons (pending legal issues, for one), I have to remain anonymous for this post, and I know that takes away from the credibility of my post, however I feel it is very important to make note that this company is definitely a bad situation for teachers.

The absolute biggest reason to not work with this company is very simple... They will hold onto your passport for MONTHS as they are "working" on getting your visa. In reality, they should need it for a maximum of 1-2 weeks. They will have you get a tourist visa, then have you give them your passport upon arrival so they can get your Z visa. Do NOT give them your passport and instead demand to be present at ALL TIMES with it instead. You are completely within your legal rights to do so! Don't let them take it!

I originally found this company from Oxford Seminars' teacher placement service, and I have since been notified that Oxford Seminars does NOT place teachers at this school due to the high number of complaints received.

This company is essentially a job placement service for foreign teachers in China. They do not have their own school. They will place you at several public schools. The salary will look reasonable, and the contract won't seem bad at first glance, but I implore you to talk with a CHINESE LAWYER before signing this contract. The contract is written in English and Chinese, and it claims to be the same in both languages, but this is NOT the case unless it has been revised since my time there.

To summarize my experience... I eventually went to talk to a Chinese lawyer to find out what options I had to get out of the contract, and in doing so, I found that not only had the company already broke their own contract, they had been breaking Chinese law in at least 20+ places for the new Chinese contract law and education laws. Because of this, I tried to settle the situation with the company outside of the legal system, but since they absolutely refused to even talk to me after this point, I had no choice but to bring the matter to court. I wish I had proof for all of things they had done to not only me, but all of the other teachers I was working with, but so far in all of the legal proceedings the courts ruled in my favor based on what I was able to factually provide anyway.

Since this they had filed several more lawsuits against me, each with the exact same charges (I honestly don't know how the courts allowed something like this to happen), and these lawsuits are still pending, but it is very likely the outcome will still be the same.

If nothing else, I would strongly recommend finding another employment option. Guangzhou is a great city with some great people, and I have plans to go back there...the only thing that would have made my experience even better would have been never running into this company to begin with.

Please, please avoid this company if at all possible. It isn't the absolute worst situation you could end up in, but it definitely isn't a good one. I hope this helps someone avoid this pitfall. There's plenty of good opportunities out there...please explore them. :)

Hi I also got a job offer from them and I sent them all my info. The recruiter sends me back information on how to get a visa, without even interviewing me. So I e-mailed her back asking for more information about the company, what the school looks like as well as where I will be living. Did you decide to go with them? I thought that it was weird that she didn't interview me, so I need to know if this is a legitimate. Did you find that out?