SCHOOLS AND RECRUITERS REVIEWS
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#1 Parent Aussiesheila - 2009-06-05
Re: Hall of Shame - BRAVO!

I find some of your comments about training schools and the type of teachers who work there offensive. I worked for NDI for a year. I had no problems. I was always paid. I didn't have a teachers assistant. I didn't have a centre director breathing down my neck. I got paid well. I turned up for my teaching hours only. I actually only turned up half an hour prior because there was no real preparation needed. It was the easiest job I've ever had. Now I did work some people who complained and there are always going to be people who are never happy..Like the OP. I knew people who worked for Web too, and I even considering jumping ship as the pay was better...And yep, you guessed it, they liked their employer. Now I know that each individual school is managed differently and there are probably NDI and Web branches who have treated their FT's badly. I just think that grouping a whole franchise of schools in one basket is not fair. To any new teachers considering moving to China, stop reading forums. I remember I got so disillusioned. Only take the advice of teachers who are working for the school now.

#2 Parent eflfree - 2009-06-04
Re: Hall of Shame - BRAVO!

I for one find your efforts to warn others of the pitfalls associated with working at private training schools as laudable, silverboy. On the other hand, it may be wise for you to notice that the use of hyperbole and excess defamation can often have the reverse effect. Generalities also get in the way in terms of the desired goal of achieving believability.

True enough, anyone who has been in China for any length of time as an FT can cite various examples of private training schools that are known ripoffs. Nevertheless, given the amount of such schools, it doesn't take much of a stretch of the imagination to conclude that some are worthwhile and that others make an effort, though sometimes falling short. The same can be said of Chinese TAs. Sure, some of them, perhaps even the majority, are an unnecessary hindrance, but I'm sure some good ones can be found.

As for confining one's teaching to universities, neither is that a sure thing. Profit motivations by the leaders of universities can get in the way of the even the best intentions of administrators. I've seen this as the case in several instances. After three years at the college where I'm now working I'm calling it quits simply because the administration, despite its once lofty goals, have fallen to their knees and are kowtowing to the demands of the leaders who know little about education. The concept of excellence has flown the coop.

There is no sure thing in China. No doubt about that. One has to be very careful about what jobs they accept. Even then, it's easy to make a misstep. But there are good schools. Yeah, they may not always stay that way, but at least they have good beginnings.

You've got a goal. That's a good thing. I would suggest, though, that you find a way to make your posts a little more believable and less vitriolic. They may appear to some as mere rantings unless you consider your choice of words more carefully. Anecdotal stories and solid examples are very helpful clarifying devices. I would imagine that if you were teaching a writing class, you would encourage their use as a means of making an essay more interesting and/or vivid. Moreover, you might find it worthwhile to take a more circuitous route when it comes to forming your conclusions. Implication rather than firmly stated conclusions can work well in that regard.

Well, pardon me for overstating what I had planned on only being a brief suggestion. I think you catch my drift, though. I'd like to see your dedication to helping unsuspecting FTs as a worthwhile endeavor that brings about positive results. So, I hope you won't give up. I just hope you'll refine your technique a bit. Maybe a more sophisticated approach would work wonders.

Just for fun:
Sophistication might be described as the ability to cope gracefully with a situation involving the presence of a formidable menace to one's poise and prestige (such as the butler, or the man under the bed - but never the husband).
James Thurber

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