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May 22, 2013, 02:30:21 PM
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keinnon
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« on: May 23, 2009, 06:33:09 AM »

OK..... time has come to start looking for a job in China this coming September.

Has anybody heard of/experienced DD Dragon in Shanghai?  I'm looking at this listing: http://www.esljobfeed.com/forum/index.pl?read=57544

and I must say: having perused a few other boards you folks are Amazing! So much more civilized and informative compared to some. I may end in China simply because of the Saloon.  th_ag

Cheers!
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Robertson Davies
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« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2009, 07:00:24 AM »

You need to ask them a few questions before we can answer honestly.  It sounds like a language mill.

How long is the training?  I assume it is unpaid but check.

Accommodation private or shared?  How close to the work place?

Those are horrific hours.  25-32 hours per week.  Teaching hours or actual hours and is a class a full hour or 50 minutes?  Any office hours? Any breaks between classes? You will be too exhausted to enjoy the city.

NOTHING about airfare reimbursement.
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babala
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« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2009, 01:18:17 AM »

I have had some friends who have worked for DD chains. It is a franchise so you need info on the specific center that you are going to. Hours and airfare aside, I have heard basically positive things about the DD chain. If it's the one I am thinking of, it started in Taiwan. They have an extensive training program which is always a good thing, many places throw you in without any training, info, etc..
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Raoul F. Duke
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« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2009, 02:18:09 AM »

What they said.

25 teaching hours is a good honest week...pretty hard work.

36 teaching hours a week is simply insane. It would kill you. Your head would asplode. th_e
The fact that they even advertise such a scenario makes me wonder about them a bit. th_bi

Still, 8K and an apartment isn't too terrible for 25/wk in Shanghai, at least not if the apartment is decent and fully private.

If you can get through 25 a week alive, you'd be goofy to take their overtime at 120/hour. In Shanghai it's not hard to find part-time gigs pay 200 or more an hour!

NOTHING about airfare reimbursement.

Actually, there is...the 5000 RMB end-of-contract bonus. Some places call it "airfare", some places call it "end-of-contract"...it's basically the same thing.
5000 RMB is in the ballpark of a one-way ticket from China to a Western country...

Personally, I'm really suspicious of chain English mills. The bigger they are- EF, AES/Aston, Kids Castle, etc.- the more likely it seems that you'll get ripped off and abused. I'd try my best to get more info on the specific branch that's talking to you...it always comes down to the specific management and ownership; corporate ties mean very, very little. One way to do this: ask for e-mail addresses of some former (NOT CURRENT!) teachers there. If the school can't or won't do this, and they're not brand new, take that as a bad sign. th_o
« Last Edit: June 02, 2009, 02:23:11 AM by Raoul Duke » Logged

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cobra
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« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2009, 02:27:56 AM »

Guys! look at this contract of DD Dragon schoolsent to me by recruting agency.

On my opinion it looks like  th_bq!!! th_bq th_bq
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR FOREIGN TEACHERS
外教劳动合同




03

      
1.    AGREEMENT PARTIES:
            a. This agreement is entered into on____________ , by the         representative of   English School (hereafter referred to as “The School”), and the teacher, ______________________ (hereafter referred to as “The Teacher”)。 此协议由________________教学点,由经营代表人_________以下简称“学校”,及外教姓名:_____________,以下简称“该外教”。
b.  The teacher, a native of ____________, _______ years of age, is to be employed as a full-time English teacher by  English School。该外教国籍为_______。年龄:___________.
c.   The period of employment is from _____________ 2008 (The Teacher’s arrival date in China) to  ______________ 2009(a total of 51 weeks) 该协议之期间为公元____年___月___日至公元____年___月___日,为期共51周。
2.      AGREEMENT PERIOD
1.   Conditions of Employment
1.1      Salary
1.1. 1  The Teacher will perform 25 teaching hours per week, for which The School will pay The Teacher a set monthly salary of RMB7,000 (except in the case of 1.1.6) plus a Contract-Completion Bonus of RMB5,000 (see 1.5.1).   学校同意支付该外教固定每月薪资人民币7,000元正(除1.1.6则不在此限),及完约奖金人民币5000元整(详见1.5.1),该外教每周固定教学时数为25小时。
1.1.2   Salaries are paid monthly in arrears on the 15th day of the month                  following that being paid (or on the last working day prior to the 15th day of the month).  学校同意于每月15日支付前一个月,月初至月底之薪水予该名外教。
1.1.3   Taxes due, payable according to the laws of the People’s Republic of China (hereafter referred to as "China"), will be deducted monthly from The Teacher's salary.  该名外教同意支付所得税,所得税依据中国税法计算办理。
1.1.4   Should The Teacher not teach 25 hours per week due to sickness, public holidays or other Government-related reasons, natural disasters, or any personal reason, then RMB100 will be deducted from the monthly salary for each hour of teaching not taught (except in the case of 1.6.2 below).  Should the number of hours taught by The Teacher at DD Dragon English School be less than 25 hours per week either because of closing classes or not opening new classes, DD Dragon English School reserves the right to send The Teacher to an affiliated school to make up the full complement of hours.  该名外教若因生病等,健康原因或国定假日、自然灾害、政府关系原因而造成每周教学时数少于25小时,学校可扣除外教薪资每小时人民币100元整(除了1.6.2以外); 但若学校因关班或未开新班或本身原因造成该外教每周时数不满25小时,学校有义务外派外教至他校教学,以补足时数,否则学校还是必须支付该外教固定月薪。
1.1.5   Should the number of teaching hours exceed 25 hours per week, The Teacher will be paid an additional RMB100 per hour.  若该外教每周教学时数超过25小时,学校同意支付该名外教每小时人民币100元正。
1.1.6   The first full month of teaching will be considered to be a trial period and The Teacher will receive RMB6,000.  该外教之第一个上岗教学满月视为试用月(受训期不算),其教学时数每周可能不满25小时,学校则支付该外教试用月薪资为人民币6,000元。

1.2      Training, School Functions, Duties, and Penalties
1.2.1   The training period, which will occur prior to the commencement of the working period, will be up to 10 working days and The Teacher will be paid RMB100 per training day. The Teacher’s full-time salary will only come into effect after the training period.  在该外教上岗试用月前,学校会安排不超过10个工作日之受训期,学校同意支付该外教每日人民币100元正之零用金,在这期间,不须再支付该外教任何薪资。
1.2.2   The Teacher must attend (but will not pay for) any training that The School organizes for him/her. 该名外教必须参加学校所安排的受训行程。
1.2.3   The Teacher must attend important school functions (without pay) such as the Christmas Party. 该名外教必须参与学校重大宣传活动,如圣诞派对及毕业典礼,其间不支薪。
1.2.4   On arrival at The School, The Teacher will be instructed as to his/her Duties (either to be performed during class or during class preparation time). Should The Teacher neglect said Duties in a manner that results in the loss of income to The School, then The School reserves the right to take punitive action.  自该外教扺逹学校后,该外教必须遵守学校之安排教学或愘守校规,若该外教违反此项规定,而造成学校损失,学校有权对该外教作罚款处份。
1.2.5   On arrival at The School, The Teacher will give The School Supervisor all necessary documentation necessary for the application of the Working Visa or Business Visa (including passport, passport photographs and certificates).  Said documents will be returned to The Teacher as soon as the Working Visa and Resident Permit are ready.   该外教抵校报到后,必须缴交予学校相应文件,以利学校申办工作签证或商务签证,如:护照、护照相片、及相关证明、履历表等)。上述文件在申办工作签证和居留证或商务签证完毕以后,尽快归还给该外籍教师。
1.2.6   Once a month, on a set day arranged by The School, The Teacher will make telephone contact with DD Dragon Head Office in Shanghai.  During this telephonic conversation both The Teacher and DD Dragon Head Office will communicate to each other any concerns or queries that either side regards as important.  当月领薪日,外教应主动打电话至迪迪龙上海总部,汇报上月工作情况。
1.2.7   The School reserves the right to send The Teacher to a nearby DD Dragon Branch on a short-term basis in the event that another branch urgently needs a teacher.  总部在得到学校经营人同意的情况下,有权调配该校外教,至附近需要紧急帮助之其它迪迪龙分校。
   
1.3   Working Hours
1.3.1   The times and classes that The Teacher will be required to teach will be determined by The School.  学校课程及工作时数由学校安排。
1.3.2   The Teacher will arrive at The School early each day to prepare all lessons to the best of his/her ability.  The recommended amount of preparation per lesson is at least 20 minutes.  In the event that The Teacher is not preparing lessons in a satisfactory manner, then The School reserves the right to stipulate an amount of time that must be spent preparing lessons each day.  外教将到校备课,尽力做好对所有课程的准备工作。每一节课的准备时间至少20分钟。若外教未能以令人满意的态度去准备课程,那学校有权力强制让外教每天运用足够的时间准备课程,直到学校满意为止。
1.3.3   During the first two months of the contract, during which time not all of The Teacher’s classes will have been opened, The Teacher will be required to assist in the promotion of DD Dragon English School.  学校预计于外教报到后二个月,因学校正值推广期,课程不多,该外教必须全力协助学校推广招生,不得有议。

1.4   Working/ Business Visa
1.4.1   The School will apply for a Business Visa for The Teacher and pay for the costs thereof. 学校同意为该名外教申办第一选择:工作证与居留证,或第二选择:商务签证,其相关政府规费由学校支付。
1.4.2   The costs of the mandatory Health Check required for the application of the Resident Visa will be paid by The Teacher. 申请居留签证所需要的健康检查之费用由该名外教支付。
1.4.3    As the issuing of a Resident Visa is linked to employment at the applying school, The School is required to notify the Chinese authorities to cancel The Teacher's Resident Visa should The Teacher leave The School's employ. 若外教因故离职,学校有权取消该外教之工作证及居留证。
1.4.4    As the issuing of a Resident Visa is linked to employment at the applying school, The School reserves the right to prevent The Teacher from working anywhere outside of The School during the contract year. 由于该外教之工作证及居留证由学校所申请,故学校有权管理及干涉该外教在外之应聘行为。

1.5   Bonus and Insurance
1.5.1   The School will pay The Teacher a Bonus of RMB 5,000 on completion of this contract. 学校同意支付该外教履约奖金人民币5,000元。
1.5.2   On completion of the first full month of teaching The School will provide The Teacher with accident and disaster insurance that will cover The Teacher from RMB100,000 to RMB300,000 depending on the nature and seriousness of the injury.  For more minor injuries resulting from an accident The Teacher will be reimbursed 75% of all medical costs up to RMB1,000. 外教在本校任教满一个月,学校应为外教购买意外保险,保险公司将支付其意外保险金10万至30万,如果伤势不是很严重,医药费没有超过1000元,保险公司将支付医药费的75%。
1.5.3   The teacher travel to a branch of The School can not beyond 20 minutes. Should The Teacher be required to travel to a branch of The School that requires more than 20 minutes of travel time, The School will pay The Teacher for the traveling time (after the 20 minutes) at the rate of RMB50 per hour (I.e. RMB0.8 per minute).  若学校外派外教至其他教学点教学,其途中花费时间不得超过20分钟后,若超过20分钟,则应付外教旅费薪资,超过20分钟后的比例按每小时50元来计算。(比如一分钟人民币0.8元)

1.6        Absenteeism
1.6.1   If The Teacher cannot attend class for whatever reason, he/she must let the School know at least 3 hours before the start of the class.  RMB100 will be deducted from the monthly salary for every hour of class missed. 假如该名外教有任何理由无法到课,该名外教必须至少在该堂课前3个小时告知学校,并将缺课时数以每小时人民币100元正从该月薪水中扣除。
1.6.2   The Teacher will be given one week of paid vacation, which must be 7 consecutive days and which will fall over the Chinese New Year. 过中国农历新年时外教将得到一周的带薪假期,这7天是连续的。

1.7        Accommodation
1.7.1   The School will provide The Teacher with his/her own room in a furnished apartment. The Teacher will be responsible for the telephone, water, electricity and gas costs. 学校同意提供该名外教免费安适之住宿公寓,住宿设备请参考“外教住宿环境同意书”.该名外教必须自行负担住宿公寓之电话费,水电费用,大楼管理费等相关费用。

2.   Responsibilities
2.1   Duties
2.1.1   The Teacher will be acquainted with and adhere to The Teacher's Duties as communicated to The Teacher by The School. 该名外教与学校之任务的履行应照此约照实履行。
2.1.2   The Teacher will at all times uphold the name of The School. 该名外教应尽其所能维护该校之良好形象。
2.1.3   The Teacher will dress and be groomed according to the standards and requirements of The School as determined from time to time. 学校有权利规范该名外教之服装仪容。该名外教尽量能符合学校要求,维护为人师表之良好形象。

2.2   Offenses
2.2.1   Any actions by The Teacher in contravention of the terms of this contract will be regarded as an offense and may result in the termination of this contract by The school. 若该名外教有不良行为, 学校有权利终止协议。
2.2.2  Additionally, deliberate destruction and damage to The School’s property, ill-treatment of and disrespect to the School’s students, parents and staff, and contravention of China's national laws will be regarded as offenses to The School and may result in termination of this contract. 若该名外教有不良行为或教学品质恶劣,学校有权利终止契约。

3.   General Terms of the Agreement
3.1   Contract Renewal
3.1.1    The School may at its discretion renew this contract with The Teacher at the end of this contract period. 学校依外教表现优劣,可自行与该名外教订立下一年度契约。
3.1.2   Where the contract is renewed a clean copy of this contract must be signed by The School and The Teacher on which the new contract period is stated. 学校与该名外教应就双方同意之契约签名盖章,使得以行使第二年续约行为。
3.2   Contract Termination and Changes
3.2.1   This contract may be terminated by The School in the case where The Teacher is found guilty of an offense in terms of paragraphs 2.1.1,2.1.2,2.1.3,2.2.1 and 2.2.2 of this contract.  若外教触法或触犯2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.2.1及2.2.2条款,学校可以立即终止合约。
3.3       Chinese Law
3.3.1 Gross violation of The Teacher’s responsibilities and duties outlined in this agreement or any Chinese law may result in the reporting of The Teacher, by The School, to the Education Department,  Foreign Affairs Office, or other appropriate authorities. The School will immediately terminate this contract,and cancel the teacher’s working visa and resident certificate.    若该名外教在中国教学期间行为不当或恶意离职,学校可致函予当地教育局及外事警察局等相关单位,撤销该外教之居留证及工作证。
3.4       Resolution of Conflict
3.4.1   If in these or any other matters The School and The Teacher cannot come to an agreement, the matter will be settled in the local provincial or district court or any other court that the case may be allocated to. 学校及外教双方若有法律诉讼行为,视当地法庭为当然诉讼法庭。
3.5     Premature Termination of Employment Agreement
3.5.1   In the event that The Teacher wishes to terminate this contract prior to the completion of 51 weeks of employ by The School, The Teacher will pay The School RMB8,000 as compensation for losses incurred by The School. School will keep 4,000 of the second month`s salary as compensation. You will get it back when finish the contract.。若该名外教欲提前终止合约,而非经学校同意,学校得要求该外教人民币8,000元之罚款,作为违约赔偿金。外教同意把第二个月薪金中4,000元作为违约赔偿金留学校,完约归还。
3.5.2  Should the school fail to the application of working visa and resident certificate for the teacher,which causes the teacher overstay in china,the  school will pay fine for the teacher’s breaking the law of “overstaying”.若学校不能及时在该外教签证有效期内办理工作证和居留证,导致外教在中国非法逗留,则学校应支付政府规定之罚款。


THIS SIGNED AND ENTERED INTO BY THE SCHOOL AND THE TEACHER ON _____________    ________, 2008 (Date). 签约日。

THE SCHOOL’S ADDRESS: _______________________________________

 th_bq th_bq th_bq


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teacheraus
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« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2009, 04:01:35 AM »

I think your perception of the contract is right. There are so many things that I don't like about it that it is difficult to know what I don't like the most.  Starting with the "business visa" to the your own room in a furnished apartment (ie shared), very little vacation and losing 100 for each lesson missed for a range of different reasons some outside your control.  The workload of 25 hours a week (with the expectation that you will spend 20 minutes preparing for each lesson)... is going to really take it out of you.   I was stupid enough last year to have an up to 30 teaching hours contract in Korea and it really was a killer (even though most of the time I was only teaching around the 24-25 hour mark). 
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Mr Nobody
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« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2009, 09:57:22 AM »

Business Visa = teaching illegally.
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babala
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« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2009, 01:47:49 PM »

Oops, I think I was thinking of Kid's Castle th_bi
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Raoul F. Duke
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« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2009, 08:28:05 PM »

Oh my God, this contract BLOWS!!! th_a

Indeed hard to tell where to start...

- The salary isn't what's in the advertisement- 7000/mo instead of 8000, 100/hr instead of 120. A really shitty deal, especially for Shanghai, especially for 25 hours a week. AND, this salary is PRE-tax, not after tax, so you'll end up pocketing even less. (The disparity in stated salaries here may be the recruiter's cut; one of the many reasons you should NEVER take a job through a recruiter! It's also possible the recruiter has an out-of-date contract, which is yet another reason you should never take a job through a recruiter!)

- You're not getting an apartment, you're getting a room in a shared apartment. What are ya, 15 years old? TOTALLY unacceptable.

- Your salary gets seriously dinked for things that are totally out of your control...public holidays, illness, natural events (like power blackouts?), etc. Unfair and unacceptable.

- Furthermore, if the school isn't able to sell enough classes to keep you busy to the max, YOU pay for it by being farmed out to other schools...DDs and others, apparently.

- You're apparently forbidden to do private part-time work on the side. You're locked into either their lousy (especially for Shanghai) 100 RMB an hour, or nothing.

- Your first month is provided at a 1000 RMB (14.3%) discount. Unacceptable! Any new job is considered probationary at first anyway; NEVER let them pay you less in the process. Lower pay for probation periods serves one purpose and one purpose only: it lets the school get you cheaper. Never play along with these!

I could go on, but if you haven't gotten the idea by now, you're probably unreachable anyway...
Do not walk: RUN SCREAMING away from this horrible dogmeat contract! th_ao th_o


Uh, Babs, Kids Castle has one of the scariest reputations out there. Ever hear about the KC employees in Xian who got held hostage, beaten, and terrorized? th_ao
« Last Edit: June 02, 2009, 08:33:34 PM by Raoul Duke » Logged

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we're building the corrupt, incompetent, baijiu-swilling buttheads of tomorrow!" (Raoul F. Duke)
babala
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« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2009, 03:30:56 AM »

I seem to be pretty mixed up (and thus of no help at all on this thread..my bad th_an). I knew some friends who worked at the DD in Wuxi (not on a contract like this one though!) and people who worked at KC in Changzhou and Taizhou. We all know that with chain schools, it differs greatly from center to center  th_k
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keinnon
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« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2009, 05:05:50 AM »

Verrry instructive! Thanx people.  I'm just starting to seriously peruse ads on the net for a Sept. start. It's good to see the contract and how careful one must be. Undoubtably I'll be seeking advice on other schools as I continue my search.

See you soon!

Cheers.
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« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2012, 06:38:58 PM »

I am close to signing a contract with this school, does anyone have any reviews?

Its run by a guy named Liam Ross. He's from Canada and seems like a good guy. I've done some searching and I was wondering if anyone HERE had any recent reviews of the school.

Thanks
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bipsy
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« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2012, 08:55:25 AM »

I was offered a position here too. I'm curious to hear what others have to say
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Byrnzie
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« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2012, 03:15:35 AM »

Most DD Dragon schools are the same as far as I'm aware. I've been working for DD Dragon in Taizhou, Zhejiang, for four years now. Although my school is slightly different, as my hours aren't as much as a standard DD Dragon school. You'll probably be teaching two one hour classes a day during the week - from about 6:00pm-8pm - and four classes on Saturdays and Sundays. The curriculum is very good and very easy to teach, and the school will not f*ck you around. You should also get approx one weeks training at their head office in Shanghai before heading to your school in Wenzhou.
I knew someone who worked at DD Dragon in Wenzhou - I think his name was Liam, though I'm not sure if it's the same Liam mentioned above, as he was a young lad, and a teacher, so not the owner (the owner of all DD schools is based i Shanghai and his name is Steve) - and I know that this Liam was there for at least 3 years, so I can't be a bad place to work.
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Byrnzie
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« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2012, 03:26:08 AM »

One more thing; you'll probably start on 8000rmb a month with 8000rmb for housing. The housing in Wenzhou will not be expensive so the 8000rmb should cover it. Although at my school they offer you a choice of an already rented apartment, or the 8000rmb in your hand when you start. I was lucky when I first started my job as I ended up with a three bedroom apartment to myself.

The only other thing is that you may have to wear the yellow DD Dragon t-shirt when you're at school. But if you're a fan of yellow t-shirts with green dragons on the front then this will be no problem for you.
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