Mister Barfly
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« on: July 10, 2009, 08:33:07 AM » |
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babala
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« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2009, 02:57:51 AM » |
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I can't recommend a school down there but I can tell you a school that should probably be avoided. Web has a center down there and a teacher I used to work with went down to work there. She had numerous problems with visas and said the center was poorly run. This was about a year ago so I'm not sure if things have changed but I would use caution before going there. I mention this because I know that the salaries in Kunming are fairly low and Web is one of the higher paying jobs in the city I imagine.
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Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try. Homer Simpson
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Mister Barfly
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« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2009, 05:59:37 AM » |
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Ok thanks for the info
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imnosuperman
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« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2009, 06:38:58 PM » |
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anyone know anything about shane in Kunming?
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The Local Dialect
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« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2009, 09:41:54 AM » |
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anyone know anything about shane in Kunming?
Shane in Kunming had a good reputation when I lived there (moved to Beijing about a year ago, so things may have changed), mostly because they paid more than some of the other training centers, and because of their reputation as a "professional" school -- meaning that they boasted they didn't hire backpackers. I think salaries in Kunming are on the rise, so Shane might not be at the top of the bunch anymore, but I've never heard anything bad said about them in any case. They do expect a lot of work from their teachers, however, whereas some of the other training schools are a bit more relaxed. |
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imnosuperman
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« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2009, 01:59:26 AM » |
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anyone know anything about shane in Kunming?
Shane in Kunming had a good reputation when I lived there (moved to Beijing about a year ago, so things may have changed), mostly because they paid more than some of the other training centers, and because of their reputation as a "professional" school -- meaning that they boasted they didn't hire backpackers. I think salaries in Kunming are on the rise, so Shane might not be at the top of the bunch anymore, but I've never heard anything bad said about them in any case. They do expect a lot of work from their teachers, however, whereas some of the other training schools are a bit more relaxed. Thanks for the info I will be their in September as soon as I get my visa settled before leaving. The hours are not so bad , but it did seem a lot more professional which is always a good thing. Working hard is not a problem for me and the hours do not seem to bad. I will be working on Saturday and Sunday from 8-3, but it's in the area of china I really wanted to be in. Do you have any recommendations of schools for studying Chinese. I have been studying with a chinese tutor and have about a kindy level of Chinese writing and speaking. |
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The Local Dialect
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« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2009, 04:47:31 AM » |
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Most of the foreigners in Kunming go to the Kunming College of Eastern Language and Culture. They're pretty flexible and have individual programs to suit your needs and schedule, and their prices are reasonable. You can check out their site here. http://elcec.com/newEbiz1/EbizPortalFG/portal/html/index.html. All of the local Chinese universities like Yunda and Shida will also offer Chinese language courses, but they tend to be a bit less flexible and might not work for someone with a full time job. |
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BamBam
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« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2009, 06:50:54 PM » |
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I worked at Shane Kunming for about four months and then at their branch school in Dali. I would not recommend it. I suppose you have been talking with the DOS, Gary. He will paint a pretty picture, but don't believe a word he says. They are always short on teachers (which should be a red flag with such high pay and prime location). His job is to hire teachers and will promise anything to get you down there, but once you sign the standard Shane contract, you are on your own and will soon wake up to the reality of your situation.
When I got there last summer, the teachers were having secret union meetings, making plans for a walk out or strike, and trying to find ways out of their contract because of pay issues. When management found out, they made not so veiled threats that the police would arrest anyone involved in illegal union activities. The owner through Gary and other laowai sellouts makes no qualms about the fact that they will blacklist you from working in Yunnan if you break the contract, and he makes it clear to everyone that he has guagxi with the police. I personally found out it wasn't just a threat. I was banned from working Yunnan and I was told that the police were looking for me after I left. I was happy to be out of that contract though.
Good Luck.
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Those that think they can, and those that think they can't are both right.
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imnosuperman
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« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2009, 09:07:24 PM » |
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I worked at Shane Kunming for about four months and then at their branch school in Dali. I would not recommend it. I suppose you have been talking with the DOS, Gary. He will paint a pretty picture, but don't believe a word he says. They are always short on teachers (which should be a red flag with such high pay and prime location). His job is to hire teachers and will promise anything to get you down there, but once you sign the standard Shane contract, you are on your own and will soon wake up to the reality of your situation.
When I got there last summer, the teachers were having secret union meetings, making plans for a walk out or strike, and trying to find ways out of their contract because of pay issues. When management found out, they made not so veiled threats that the police would arrest anyone involved in illegal union activities. The owner through Gary and other laowai sellouts makes no qualms about the fact that they will blacklist you from working in Yunnan if you break the contract, and he makes it clear to everyone that he has guagxi with the police. I personally found out it wasn't just a threat. I was banned from working Yunnan and I was told that the police were looking for me after I left. I was happy to be out of that contract though.
Good Luck.
Can you elaborate on why its so bad Thanks for the heads up |
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BamBam
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« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2009, 01:14:17 AM » |
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Every teacher there hated it for various reasons. Most of them were angry over getting screwed out of overtime pay. Some were upset over false promises made to them, the vacation policy, not getting paid for extensive travel time to outside locations, their schedule, or a number of other things. The DOS spent most of his time putting out fires.
The biggest problem I had was the dishonesty and deception. When I arrived last summer they were shorthanded and desperate. I was lead to believe that I would get overtime for anything over 72 hours a month, that the school would provide health insurance, that they would assist me in finding an apartment, that I would only be working on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and have the rest of the week off, that I would have a computer at my desk, and that it was a modern and professional school. All lies. The bullshit continued from there. It became quite comical after a while. I don't want to go into all the little details because I don't know where to start, and I am lazy and hate typing.
Another thing that really pissed me off was the lack of resources. For example, for the first two months I was there we didn't have a photocopier. And that was the least of it. Let's just say that they were very tight when it came to purchasing teaching materials and equipment. They were big on marketing though.
I just talked to a friend who still works there. Right now Shane Kunming is in need of at least four teachers. Such an elite school shouldn't be perpetually shorthanded.
Oh, and he has had problems getting paid on time recently.
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« Last Edit: August 14, 2009, 02:24:41 AM by BamBam »
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Those that think they can, and those that think they can't are both right.
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The Local Dialect
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« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2009, 03:15:35 AM » |
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Wow, that's a big change of tune from 2005-2006 ish, when loads of teachers I knew were coveting jobs at Shane and ditching other schools to try and work there. I guess a higher salary can't make up for everything! Thanks for the update Bam Bam.
By the way, do they still do the ads on the public busses? Those alone cost a fortune in advertising fees. I always wondered how a relatively new school (new to Kunming, at the time I mean) could afford to throw around so much money.
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imnosuperman
Member
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« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2009, 03:51:08 AM » |
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Every teacher there hated it for various reasons. Most of them were angry over getting screwed out of overtime pay. Some were upset over false promises made to them, the vacation policy, not getting paid for extensive travel time to outside locations, their schedule, or a number of other things. The DOS spent most of his time putting out fires.
The biggest problem I had was the dishonesty and deception. When I arrived last summer they were shorthanded and desperate. I was lead to believe that I would get overtime for anything over 72 hours a month, that the school would provide health insurance, that they would assist me in finding an apartment, that I would only be working on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and have the rest of the week off, that I would have a computer at my desk, and that it was a modern and professional school. All lies. The bullshit continued from there. It became quite comical after a while. I don't want to go into all the little details because I don't know where to start, and I am lazy and hate typing.
do you know of any other good schools in Kunming?
Another thing that really pissed me off was the lack of resources. For example, for the first two months I was there we didn't have a photocopier. And that was the least of it. Let's just say that they were very tight when it came to purchasing teaching materials and equipment. They were big on marketing though.
I just talked to a friend who still works there. Right now Shane Kunming is in need of at least four teachers. Such an elite school shouldn't be perpetually shorthanded.
Oh, and he has had problems getting paid on time recently.
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