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| RAFFLES LASALLE SHANGHAI - THE WHOLE TRUTH | ||
| JUSTIN MARTIN justmoi@outgun.com 15 July 2004 Vancouver Canada It has been almost a year since I left this institution so I can now reflect on my experiences with some detachment. For those of you who are seeking the lowdown on this school here goes. Please bear in mind that my comments relate specifically to the English Department. Lecturers in the specialty areas have a more fulfilling experience. THE GOOD They pay on time. Every time. You get a legal work visa and all other necessary paperwork. Your colleagues are generally wonderful. The students are sweet (if somewhat unenthusiastic about English) THE BAD This is not an English school. It is a design school which teaches everything IN English and the English Department is a tacked on addendum which supposedly prepares students with the language requirements for their course majors. Some of the students arrive with NO English. At best, most have mediocrre English. Only overseas students or those who have studied English at other institutions really have sound language skills. They use the HEADWAY text books. I will say no more. The Singaporean entrepreneurs who pride themselves on running this pseudo educational institution are totally disorganized. They couldn't organize collecting water in a bucket. The Singaporean entrepreneurs who pride themselves on running this pseudo educational institution care ONLY about money. They will screw students for as much money as they can and they will screw you for as much time as they can. You must work 45 hours each week. THE REALLY UGLY You will have four hour lessons. There are no standards. You write the exam. You decide who will pass or fail. In the end it doesn't matter because this is a diploma mill in which every student gets a certificate whether or not they can even say hello in English. You WILL have four hour lessons. Students in the degree program send heavily plagiarized, academically unsound essays to universities in England and receive their degree. YOU WILL HAVE FOUR HOUR LESSONS. SUMMARY There are many schools in Shanghai which pay well. If you have the right qualifications you can get a better job. If you are a backpacker looking for an easy buck you will probably end up doing a runner. Everybody else seems to. Use this information wisely. Best of luck to all the Shanghai job seekers out there. |