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| Shenzhen and Zhuhai | ||
| I have been in Guangdong for awhile now and have taught in EVERY POSSIBLE PERMUTATION that counts as teaching. The truth is that you get out what you put in. No matter who "Fu Bai" (corrupt) the school's management, no matter how unruly the children are, no matter how arrogant the adults can be, you get out what you put in. Teaching is an art and business, not a science. That said let me tell you about some of the schools I have encountered and my impressions of what makes a good or great or terrible school. TPR in Zhuhai has many points, but in my experience there the boss, Simone, is very changeable. Education doesn't matter. But, it is very organized. You will not meet a situation where you have extra unpaid classes unless you are weak. If you are all about team you will be taken advantage of. GLV and Fountain are better in Zhuhai. The pay is a bit less, the work a bit more, but the management is ethical and proactive. Problems arise, but they are dealt with quickly and with good will. I have no major complaints against either of these schools except that GLV's boss Ping talks a better game then he can possibly deliver. Don't believe his promises, he is not a liar, but a fanciful dreamer without the inner strength or courage to make a tenth of his promises come true. Go there for the students and environment and leave Ping to his pipe dreams. Shenzhen is a different ball of wax. The people are much more driven and as a result you are likely to have brilliant classes with motivated students and impossible classes with arrogant or desperate students. Difficult does not begin to describe some of the challenges of Shenzhen. Realize that there is not one school here that is not a business. Even the primary or kindergarten has a profit motive. Among the training centers you will receive the highest wage. Regardless of where in the city you are located NEVER accept a wage below 7,000 RMB a month with an apt for full time. The going rate for part-time is 150 RMB/Hr. Some will accept less and some will get more, but that is a fair and the accepted wage for Shenzhen. Obvisiously, if you are getting an apt, visa, transportation, food or anything else then you can take that into account. I make nearly 15,000 a month for about 30 hours a week. I could make more, but I am not interested in hustling around town. In Shenzhen avoid Com-Com until they get a new teacher manager. Ellen is unbearable. Avoid EF Nanshan because the local center director, Sophia Gu, is nearly insane. The other Efs are fine. Avoid cleverlearn until they replace the Chinese manager Jeff with someone who knows something about education, and is not delusional about business. There are many International schools in Shenzhen where you can make a pretty coin if you are well qualified. Anywhere from 1500 to 4000 USD a month. Not bad considering the facilities and structured programs are super easy to teach. OK, that is all. If you would like contact numbers or more information about either city please feel free to write to me. Ehomey@yahoo.com John |