Watch OUT for AND Language School - xuexiao - in Ninghai, Ningbo, Zhejiang.

I have just walked out on them, 3 days ago. The manager [edited] is a liar, cheater and racist. Everything he says about the school to recruiters and teachers is a contradiction to what actually happens. They recruit via recruiters/agents. You will be bitterly disappointed if you decide to work there. The Chinese English teachers are not much better either, I am sad to say.

You will start on a "probation" period of one month/30 days where you will have no idea on what your schedule will be or what you are to do until the very moment before you are expected to do something. You will be told, not written and signed, what your salary will be depending on where you come from it will be different to that of other foreign teachers, despite what you are told. You will be expected to be "in the office" from 12:30 to 8:30PM six days a week even though you might see something in writing that teaching hours beyond 28 hours will be paid at 100RMB an hour. You will not be paid on the basis of teaching hours. If you are assigned classes outside "the office hours" you will not receive extra pay for them and you will be expected to be in the office 12:30 to 8:30PM irrespective of how many hours outside those hours you do elsewhere. If you do not do what you are assigned your pay will be deducted and you will not know how they arrive at that amount and they will nit tell you. You will be told that all teachers conditions are the same when they are not.
You will be expected to pay the rent of your room plus all other associated costs for that room.

You may be accommodated outside Ninghai in a new modern housing estate that has few conveniences and you will have to figure out, on your own, how to get to work on time which may take up to 1 hour because the buses may be too full, and likewise going back from work which could take up to 2 hours.

You will be expected to provide your own basic living essentials such as bedding, and/or cooking tools, pots, pans etc.
If you live in a single room nearby the school, you will be expected to pay for everything for your living costs for that room.
You will be allowed one day off a week but that day may not be allowed. All work days, and non work days maybe and will most likely be changed without notice.

Don't expect any help or cooperation from the Chinese teachers in any way what so ever in your work or for anything else unless you are a Philippino female because they think Philippino females are Chinese because of their eyes. All the Chinese teachers are female except for Allan who is a cousin of Gan, and not really teaching staff. Allan is a good man but his loyalty is with his cousin, Gan.

The school has had a turn over 10 foreign teachers since Jan 1, 2010 and several Chinese teachers also who have either quit or been fired/let go.

The school will obtain an F Visa for you but Gan will say it takes up to six weeks to process when it really takes less than a day, and they will keep you Passport in a cabinet in the office for the six weeks or unless you threaten to go to the Police whereupon it will appear and presented to you immediately but you'll either be on your way out or be fired.

You will be expected to teach kindergarten in kindergartens around Ninghai Monday to Friday irrespective of what Gan tells you.

You will be made to be confused and frustrated. But, don't think they are taregetting you, it is just the way they are toward every one.

If you decide to go there, this is what you must do; tell them to minutest detail what you want, put it in writing and get them to sign it. Ignore what you are told. If you are a competent white Foreign Teacher with lots of kindergarten/primary experience and have a degree with a TEFL then demand in writing no more than 4 hours a day working hours which includes teaching hours, and 100RMB an hour for any hours, for anything, beyond the 4 hours a day. Free accommodation and all associated costs of your accommodation, be specific of all associated costs and quality of them as they will try to get cheap stuff, include internet connectivity also. You will not do anything unless you are given 24 hours prior notice, includes anything, remain firm on this at all times. Include a 1 hour meal break. Free Visa and your Passport will be copied, with school stamp, Manager signature and his phone number, the copy given to you immediately you give it over, and your Passport with new/extended Visa will be returned to you within 24 hours. You will be given a lockable place to keep your things in the office (if you don't your things will be pilfered). 7 sick days a year without a medical certificate, 2 weeks with certificate, free medical treatment at the nearest Foreigner Serviced hospital including transport to and from that hospital, free medical insurance during the time you live and work ifor AND. 10 days paid holidays at your regular pay including all Chinese national holidays, a two day Xmas and Easter Holiday, and your home country's National Day. A % proportion of Return home airfare paid to you with your monthly pay, not at the end of the year. An annual bonus upon the completion of a year of work equal to a month's salary and an increase of 10% annually of your monthly salary. All your teaching work and preparation to be done cooperatively with Chinese teachers with you as the expert in any thing to do with English instruction to be done to completion 24 hours before classes and you have the right to refuse anything that you see is incorrect and you have the right to refuse any teaching materials you are expected to use. 2 hours a week of free Chinese classes. You will be shown where to go get anything you need to live or how to travel locally including to Ningbo, Shanghai or else where.
Put it all in writing on the way there. Get it co signed and they pay the translation and you, personally, make sure it gets lodged with the Foreign Experts Bureau in Ningbo with the English version attached. Don't sign the Chinese translation until it is verified as to be a correct translation by the Foreign Experts Bureau in Ningbo.

DON'T work for AND until they sign your own written contract. Just sit around until they do.

Finally, register with the PSB within 24 hours of your arrival. You must be given a notice of temporary residence from them to keep with you at all times. VERY IMPORTANT.

Be very firm, non negotiable on the points I have suggested. They MUST have a WHITE WESTERN Teacher!

There are two very good African teachers who will fill you in, one is highly qualified too, in linguistics.

Good luck. Remember the old American saying,"never give an inch (they will take a mile)".