Jobs of the Week September 8, 2013

Back from Vacation

For all you job hunters out there with questions upon questions about reputable EFL employers, I am back and at your service.

GOOD

1) Ray English Recruitment – China

Provides (as always) a good number of positions available with reputable employers. Good for noobs with no years of experience.

Testimonials

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2) Shane English School – China

Up front about contact hours, salary and accommodation ranges and curriculum. Though, they did mention a sixth day of work that could be added as a bonus into your salary or to accumulate as time off later in the contract. Sneaky, sneaky, but worth a shot. 

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BAD

3) Assumption College, Bangrak, Bangkok, Thailand

The contract on offer is more than decent considering standard pay is about 60,000 THB. However, these people would disagree.

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4) Westgate Corporation – Japan

Not a bad gig, though the contract dates are an issue. A friend of a friend who used to work for this company said that yes accommodation was supplied, but upon the final day of the contract you had to vacate the abode. For him, that meant leaving the country because Japan was so expensive for him. And that also meant Westgate did not reimburse him for the flights. If you are going to inquire about a job, check with the company to see if they’ve changed their policy about accommodation. If you get a job, be prepared to vacate on the final day.

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NOT WORTH IT

5) Teachers for Primary School – Phnom Pehn, Cambodia

$150 / month for 25 contact hours! Yes it’s Cambodia, but I mean, the school at least has to provide flights or an allowance, or else teachers with 0$ to their name will never be able to save enough money to fly home!

Job hunters beware.

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6) B & A International Languages – China

B & A International Languages you had me at ‘hello,’ but then lost me when I read teachers had to supply lesson plans one week in advance.

Holy shnikes! According to the post, there’s no mention of a set curriculum. Me thinks you will be creating from scratch, and that’s a tall order without having to provide the plans a week in advance. It’s a tough cookie, and I would save myself the headache of doing so. There are other jobs that have a set curriculum and don’t require you to provide lesson plans in advance.

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Culture Shock

Getting off the plane, and it hits you right in the kisser! You’re in a different country, with different people, with a different language, and it’s all so straaaaaaaaaange. What to do? What to do?

When it's time to leave West Baltimore.

1) Study up on the language

Study up on the language. Learning a few key phrases like ‘Please’ or ‘Thank you’ or ‘Excuse me,’ will help you communicate (however minimally at first) with the locals. When in Rome, speaking Italian can charm the pants off of anybody!

2) Study the people and culture

Research as much as you can about the people and culture in the locale you’ll be living/ working in. Is it offensive to wear your cowboy boots, cut-off jean shorts and ripped tank top to the mall? Probably offensive in any country, but you’ll need to be sure if you can or can’t wear your favorite outfit. Should you be making constant eye contact? What other behaviors exhibit respect in that culture? In short, what should you do, not do whilst living there. Like in Thailand, never touch the top of a person’s head.

3) Accept the differences

The whole cultural experience is a learning experience as well. Remember: You wanted to visit that oh so special place because it is not at all like your hometown. Differences are what makes culture wonderful. Granted, McDonald’s is there (most likely) but branch out beyond the obvious and breathe in the same air as the locals do.

4) Honeymoon period

The first 3 months are a whirlwind of fun, excitement, ‘golly-gee, why I can’t believe they do that here! I want to live here for the rest of my life!’ Enjoy the honeymoon period, take lots of pictures and relish the wonderfulness of your extended tourist period. It will wear off (if you’re a normal, sane person.)

5) The Not-So Honeymoon period

Month 4 and you hate everything about that place: the people look too weird, the language is too difficult to learn, the customs are just so outrageous you’ve taken to scowling and grunting at every nice gesture that turns your way. You hear from your mom about Uncle Richard’s birthday party and how she made your favorite dish lasagna. Oh how wonderful home is! You’re more homesick than hungover. This is normal. You’ve adjusted to your surroundings; the freshness is not as fresh, and everything is getting on your nerves. Remember the honeymoon period, and remember why you wanted to live/work in a different culture.

It also helps to talk to somebody about your feelings. Expats may speak the same language as you. If you can make friends with some experienced expats who’ve been living and working in the country for a long time, who’ve adjusted quite nicely and seem to thrive in that environment, ask them for some advice about how to deal with X, Y or Zed about the country. Assuredly they experienced homesickness at some point. Assuredly, they can help you by offering advice or talking you out of your Not-So Honeymoon period.

Change it up: go experience something as yet unexperienced in the place. Go hike that mountain you’ve been putting off because you’ve been busy at work. Travel to another part of the country. Even something so simple as trying a different restaurant or new bar or new dish or new drink. Meet new people, even if they may be expats.

In short, all of these tips for coping with culture shock are to get you to be mindful of why you chose to work abroad in the first place, that it is going to be difficult sometimes, but you should always try, try, try.

If you give up and want to blow your brains out with a shotgun but can’t find one, then you should think about finding a new job in a new culture in a new environment.

For the longwinded, academictypes. 

Much love to you,

Dr. R. Gonzo

Vacation

Hello all,

I'm currently on vacation, and won't be blogging again until some time later. Job huntin's up to you now, kiddo. Read the old posts, educate yourself, and do a thorough research before submitting your C. V.

Good luck, and happy holidays to all!

-Dr. R. Gonzo

Jobs of the Week June 30, 2013

GOOD

Wrinkly Gus is happy with these jobs!

1)Earlybirds – China

jobs@earlybirds.cn

Sounds like a sweet deal. But other than the name of this recruiter, is the sentence at the bottom of the post that really grates against my kisser. You claim you are not a recruiter, but what you describe IS what the job of a recruiter does. No matter if you have ‘personal’ relationships with universities. You are sending out job posts in order to recruit teachers for those specific posts.

It’s like a pig dressed up as a woman, saying it’s not a pig.

Insulting to my intelligence, but still sounds good.

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2) Semyung University – Korea

ktw5797@semyung.ac.kr

Alright! 4 day work week! Low number of students and contact hours! Though, a position more suitable for (somewhat) experienced teachers with qualifications.

Sign me up! But negotiated wisely for adequate pay. Remember: you’re an educated person, don’t let them lowball you.

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3) Kangwon National University - Korea

langcntr@kangwon.ac.kr

Low pay for the type of qualifications and experience this place is looking for. With that in mind, low contact hours, ample vacation time and partly-furnished housing. No mention of flights...

Give it a go if you’ve got at least a year teaching experience with BA or MA...though, I’d negotiate for a minimum of 2.5 Won/ month.

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BAD

Angry or pooping? Or pooping angrily?

4) WithAble Recruiting – Korea

withable3@gmail.com

I’m sketched out by the gmail address. But with that in mind, this recruiter has a range of jobs for your perusal. Different locations with salary between 2.0 – 2.7 million Won. However, some of the contact hours reach upwards of 30 (for kindy, no less) and require you to work 10 hours in one day. Will you lose your sanity teaching kindergarteners 6 – 8 contact hours per day and remain in the office for an addition 2-4 hours? Salary is pretty low for the work demand.

Keep looking.

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5) Orange Education Co - Korea

eduorange@hotmail.com

If a stable, reputable recruiter for the last 11 years, why are you still using a Hotmail address? The website offers suitable information about aspects of the job (contact hours, pay, holidays, etc). Be careful though, since Orange Education Co. is a recruiter, the demands of the director/ principal of language institutes may differ than what is stipulated on the OECo. website. For most of the jobs, there seems to be high contact hours with low pay and are looking for Kyopo teachers (F visas) and E2 visa holders already inside Korea.

As well, misspelled words and grammar errors proliferate on the job posting.

Beware.

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6) ACE Recruiting Agency – Korea

acecareer@hotmail.com

Go to the ACE Career website, under Recruiting Info, and you will read about teacher’s home leave after signing another contract.

I don’t like the unpaid 14 day home leave for teachers who will re-sign. That’s how you pay back your loyal teachers?

I find that extremely offensive, especially when most other institutes pay you for vacation time.

No thanks.

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NOT WORTH IT

[witty caption redacted due to the image speaking for itself]

7) Expertise Education – Beijing, China

hr@expertiseedu.com

No mention of contact hours. Salary is disgustingly low. Look elsewhere. Also, this company should think about renaming it since it sounds so much like the disreputable Education Experts in Saudi Arabia.

Pass...

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8) China TEFL Network (CTN)

admin@helengroup.com

This post is sloppily presented. Reading it makes my eyes hurt, and my heart as well when I read the range of salary offered at the different schools.

White space is important when reading. Organize the information into salary ranges. Learn how to write links in your job post. It's much cleaner...unorganized noob.

No thank you.

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9) Korea International School Beijing – China

 kisbwj@gmail.com

You had me at the salary! But then made me think twice about a small detail you tried to sneak past me.

Yes, 20 contact hours per week is good. Yes, the housing and pay are great too.

But... you have to submit weekly lesson plans. Any good teacher has a lesson plan, but I think you will have to submit highly detailed plans for approval. If you are making the curriculum from scratch, you’ll easily be working 60 hours per week in preparation and teaching.

Go sit on an egg.

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10) British Academic Centre – Moscow Region – Russia

recruit@bc-english.ru

No mention of contact hours. No mention if provided housing is shared or not. No mention of the amount of vacation time. Pay is little more than slave wages. Also, it’s located in the Moscow ‘Region.’ You could be out in the boonies.

Likewise, go sit on an egg.

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Education Experts

Education Experts 

(aliases: Ed Ex, Edu Ex, Education Experts Company, Education Experts LLC)

           http://www.edu-experts.com    

*First compilation: June 27, 2013

Head Office: Main Branch at Saudi Arabia

                      Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - P. O. Box 22066 Riyadh 11495

  TELEPHONE     920000139

  FAX   92000766       

  E-MAIL info@edu-experts.com

Contact Personnel: 1) Dr. William Frawley Executive Director English Programs

                               (edexdrbill@gmail.com)

2) Mr. Osamah Manna Director English Personnel

(osamah_mannaa@hotmail.com)

Partnerships: King Saud University, Najran University, Taibah University, Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University, King Abdul Aziz Military College, King Fahad Security College, Qassim University

Analysis: Overall, the company does not have a sterling reputation. There are various criticisms floating about the internet (here, forum pages 1-15; Personal Review 1; Personal Review 2; Personal Review 3) that run the gamut of:  

• contracts not being honored
• work hours being amended to include unpaid weekends
• return flight tickets not provided if leaving the company on final exit
• salary not being paid in full or not being paid on time
• late or non-existent airport pickup of newly arriving staff
• switching location of employment upon entering the country
• providing unsuitable accommodation in terms of quality and distance to location of employment
• personal conflicts with unethical managers (lying to teachers about support, classroom incidences and student complaints, etc) 
• arriving to KSA on a work visa, and possibly extending the period to 365 days so that the company does not have to apply for the iqama (resident card). Without an iqama, teachers will not be able to open a bank account or transfer money. Other means to send money without an iqama requires using another person who does have an iqama to transfer for them.  

Salary Range: 3,000 - $4,000/ month

Housing Allowance: 25% of base salary (if accommodation is not provided)

Benefits: basic health insurance, return flights, travel allowance or provided transportation (i.e. company bus to/ from work, weekend outings, etc.)

*No tuition allowance for children.

*Single status visa.

*No flights provided for family.

*30 days' vacation after working for 11 consecutive months. 

Recent Job Posts: 1, 2, 3 

Jobs of the Week June 23, 2013

Some good pickin's to finally whet my appetite. And in case you’re wondering, I don’t work for EF or English First. Good huntin’ to the lot of you.

GOOD

Hopefully this will be you

1) EF English First Yuci – China

Comprehensive package on offer: accommodation, salary, bonus, flight allowance. Quite generous for noobs fresh out of University. Though, no mention of contact hours.

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2) Golden Bridge Training Center – China

Low pay, but what can you expect for 0 years of experience and working in China? From the post, I gather there’s solid support for new teachers, provided accommodation, generous holidays on offer (though one could expect to be teaching for Winter Camp holidays, and if you are paid for it is another question to ask in the interview) free Chinese lessons.

Give it a go.

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3) English First – Hefei, China

Good package for noob teachers, but does require a TEFL cert. The pay is quite low for candidates with a CELTA. Don’t they know it costs around $2,000 for that training?

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4) EF English First Swara Group – Indonesia

No mention of salary or even a range. ‘Accommodation assistance,’ which means you will not be provided an allowance. Flight allowance (return ticket, though from where? You home country, hopefully.) No mention of contact hours or number of students in class. As well, you have the choice of working in Jakarta or the outskirts. Be careful of a bait and switch, as Jakarta differs drastically from the countryside.

I would apply, but ask many, many questions.

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5) Oxford House College – UK

If I was going back home this summer, I’d apply. Low pay, but provided meals and accommodation.

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6) SELECT EMPLOYMENT – Turkey

Good pay...for Turkey. But you’ll be paying for rent out of your take home salary. Flight allowance. No mention of contact hours, though I’m sure they will differ depending on what age groups you’ll teach. Expect more hours for young learners. Job post requests teachers have 1 year experience + CELTA.

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BAD

Choose where to send your C. V. wisely!

7) COMPASS Education - Vietnam

While not entirely bad, as the presentation of the post is helpful and straightforward. The only inference worth noting is the pay and accommodation. If you are paid hourly and your contact hours drop, you could make substantially less money. Makes things difficult, such as ensuring you have enough money to pay rent at the end of the month.

I would look for a salaried position.

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8) Meten English – China

Not too bad. Yes the flight is reimbursed, along with the visa and medical costs, but are you provided with an outgoing or return flight? 40 hour week with 25 contact hours is not too bad. But using the other 15 hours to learn about Meten’s methodological approach could mean a very tiring work week. I would understand this if your teachers were noobs, but the job requires the teacher to be TEFL certified.

Could be promising if you ask the right questions: salary? accommodation allowance?

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NOT WORTH IT

Choosing this job is just as terrible a choice as the tats above.

9) Kidz-n-us – Hong Kong, China

Good salary, but you’ll be paying for accommodation. It can be quite expensive in Hong Kong.

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Jobs of the Week June 16, 2013

Dear all,

I have been working on some consultancy work, and have not had much time to browse the job listings. But from the ones I have seen, here's the good, bad and not worth it selections from China and Korea. Not like anyone's reading this anyways. Any who, marvel.

GOOD

1) University Teaching Jobs - China Vacancies info@chinavacancies.com

Thank you for not providing quirky (read: annoying, offensive) rhetorical questions or a descriptive paragraph that falls short of the mark. Thank you for listing only need-to-know information for me, the prospective employee. Shit pay, shit hours, but whatever...I like companies that give you the info without you having to punch them in the face to get their attention.

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2) DFL Recruitment Agency – Korea – dfl.worldteacher@gmail.com

Many jobs to choose from. Postings are straightforward with detailed information. I like DFL Recruitment Agency, but get rid of the Gmail address and set-up a domain name that can host email. It makes you look unprofessional.

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3) Daegu Haany University – Korea – english@dhu.ac.kr

I am saddened to read the yearly salary is only about 29,000,000 won, and the job requires you to have a Masters. Low hours and paid vacation make this a go. But you should attempt to negotiate a higher salary. Korea! You and China and Japan make me angry with low paying university gigs that require higher ed qualifications. How dare you!

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BAD

4) East-West Education LLC – China – HR@BeijingTeach.com

Teaching kids 25 hours per week? At your own peril. Especially since most kiddie jobs are higher paying than this one. I like the website http://www.beijingteach.com/ because it’s informative. Also, the pictures that display an unpolluted Chinese sky near the Bird’s Nest. And all the teachers are white! Ethnicities not preferred? But that’s racist China for you.

I hate kids. If you’re a pedo or a Mormon or Evangelical Christian, then go for it...perv.

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NOT WORTH IT

5) Readingtown – China – judyh@sageshanghai.com

Zero job details. It describes the school and the curriculum, albeit vaguely. Even on the website, it only shows the recruitment process. What the hell is the salary range? If you can’t put together an informative job posting, in what other ways are you disorganized?

Pass, sucka.

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