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China English Teaching Horror Stories
Aug 19, 2010By Jessica A. Larson-Wang, eChinacities.comTeaching English in China can be a risky venture, especially for inexperienced teachers who might fall victim to the more unscrupulous schools and administrators out there. Here we take a look at several horror stories which should illustrate what can happen when innocent English teachers fall into the wrong hands. And what you can do to keep yourself from becoming another victim.
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Horror Story #1: “Illegal Immigrants”
Two teachers signed contracts with an agency working with a primary school in Northeast China, part of the contract stipulating that the teachers were to come to China on tourist visas and that the school would arrange proper work visas and residence permits within a week of the teachers’ arrival. However, after the teachers arrived, one week turned into two, two weeks turned into a month, and soon the teachers found their L visas about to expire and still no proper paperwork was in sight. At this point the agency told the teachers they could get them business visas through a connection – for a price of 4000RMB each, which the teachers would have to pay themselves. It turned out that neither the agency nor the primary school in question was authorized to hire foreign teachers and had lured the teachers to China under false pretences. The teachers eventually left this school, but not without harassment and threats from the agency.
The Moral: The only way to be sure you’re going to get the correct visa is to leave your home country with a Z visa already in your passport. Legit schools are perfectly capable of applying for a Z visa before you leave, and if they tell you otherwise, be very wary.
Horror Story #2: “When Is Payday Again?”
A young British teacher and all of his co-workers at a private language training center in Beijing were forced to storm the headquarters of the school in protest after the school failed to pay the teachers at least three months in a row. The teachers were afraid to quit their part time jobs at the school, fearing that if they quit, the school would simply never pay them. Yet even though they continued to show up and do their work, month after month their bank accounts remained empty. Finally, after the teachers united together and showed up in force to demand their payment, they were paid partially. In a similar story, the owners of one Beijing private language school packed up in the night and emptied out the office. When teachers – Chinese and foreign – showed up for work the next day, the school was closed and the boss’ cell phone was turned off. The owners had fled, taking tuition money from the students and leaving its teachers unpaid.
The Moral: The majority of these sorts of stories happen to teachers working under the table at unlicensed schools. If your school is unlicensed, work at your own risk!
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That was fantastic! You could write half a dozen of these with what turn out to be all-too-common horror stories of teaching here. i found myself relating to far too much of these anecdotes.
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its for real..
i am working here for just three months came across so many night mares like this.. this is not the question of naive.
even the experienced teachers get these same treatment..
for some reason they think all foreigners are rich. and thats the problem they want money from us.
and for some other reason they all think getting a visa in a western country is easy through the foreigners who come here
but some of them really seem to be good. exceptions.. but you will get harassed no matter how young or old no matter what race you are black. brown or white, no matter you look good or not.
have u ever heard of a teacher getting harassed by a student.. it happened .
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Horror stories!
Yes some would beggar belief but they are true and often have a serious impact on the feelings and mutual trust between overseas people and our Chinese hosts. Some of the disgraceful practices involve so called "agents" who decive the overseas professionals into believing that they must pay a fee to ensure work. often thsi fee is very large and one particular agent in the city close to the Hong Knong border will take 2 weeks from the first month. In other cities they will take X number of hours.
The story they tell is more unbelievable than any fiction writer could concieve. They say the clients do not pay them anything, this of course is arrant nonsense as it is well publisised that the clients also pay high fees.
Beware of these agents claiming to be legal services, xxxxtuor or some other improbable name. Most of them are simply data base collectors and your name will end up on a file somewhere but no work. Furthermore if you do get work they will dump you and leave you at the mercy of their clients, that is when you find the client has also been told incredible untruths
e.g your beginner students can get a degree in 3 months with our teacher!
The teacher will work any hours you want and you can change or cancel classes if you need to.
The teacher will tolerate bad behaviour and lateness so do not worry!
The teacher is from overseas so do what suits you best!
These are ture events from some of my close friends and contacts here in China.
Trust is difficult in such circumstances but be strong and stand your ground, spread the word do not support these ruthless "agents"
No good professional ever needs to pay to work in China.
Good luck everyone, be safe and enjoy the China experience, there are some good people here.
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china is a good country and wherever and whenever we change a coutry ,we face language problems..but the best thing about china is that it contains a helpfull lots of people, doing a job in china is good if done under a proper field and about the students its everywhere the same, students are naughty they need education and proper teachers to teach....I am student of medicine in china studying here for 5 years and I feel its a very good land , we should learn from this land too..the discipline and morality...
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What dream world are you living in?
China is full of corruption and some of the most immoral behaviour you will ever encounter. Affairs are the norm, being propositioned by your boss and work colleagues married or otherwise and divorce and bullying common place.
Lovely people but try to see things as they are and not look through rose (or red) tinted glasses.
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After 7 years in China, I would have to say that Suzhou and Mudu High School are at the top of my list for nightmares.... Suzhou has a program called GAC. This program prepares high school students for university life in America. At the head of this shady operation is a fellow named Frank. Frank drives a BMW-X5. He loves to play tennis and he loves cat houses. Moreover, he loves to lie and rip people off... Please don’t misunderstand, the GAC program is great, but Frank isnt....He will tell you anything to get you to teach for him and later you will wake up to the true facts of working for him. Word is, and I believe it after going through 3 months in a nightmare working for him, that he is part of the Suzhou underworld.....He has pull, power and money and no fear!!! Most recently, a group of Canadians from a Canadian High School packed up and left Mudu High School after getting the same treatment as I did.
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GAC is planning to set up in Changshu. They are offering gigantic salaries - Maths/Physics teacher, 15000 to 18,000 per month - and no teaching experience required. The word I've heard about the Suzhou district is that GAC likes to attach itself to organizations with a good reputation and then to trade off that. Any words of advice? Can they be believed? I hear Mudu has had a hand in facilitating the proposed Changshu set-up. Should I take employment with this group?
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If GAC is going to open in Changshu and Mudu High School or Frank are involved, don't go there... Frank and Mudu are shady at best.... There are good GAC Programs, and a friend of mine is working GAC in Beijing and doing very well. As I mentioned before, GAC is a great program if it doesn't fall into the hands of people like Frank and Mudu High School.
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Thanks for the info. Certainly Mudu has been involved. They've been here to oversee the set up. As for 'Frank', I don't know but I'll certainly keep listening.
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I just received an offer from the Jiangsu Changshu High School GAC Program.. the contract looks okay.. but exactly what kind of "shady" and "nightmare" are you talking about? what should I look out for?
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XD im surprise that most people are surprise about that stuff
this isnt horror sorry thats real life and as i read comments LOL "it can hurt feelings " hahah
use your head and think if something there is ALWAYS a catch
this problem isnt just China’s in every country they do it
all you have to do is read it think about it find some one ( friend ) that has done this or just google the place and see what they say
XD I Love the last part of it "The Moral: The majority of these sorts of stories happen to teachers working under the table at unlicensed schools. If your school is unlicensed, work at your own risk!" hahahah as if not
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THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW BEFORE COMING TO TEACH IN CHINA!!
I heard these problems from people I know; well I couldn't blame no one, the crocs doing their freestyle strategy to victimize poor individuals, the ones looking for easy ways to earn money. I am a teacher myself, but never twice in my life been a victim. Sometimes, you just need to know how it rolls in China and not be a victim anymore.
Before you apply or accept an offer, perhaps you would like to know more details of the school; go to their website. Yes, licensed and real schools have one, in that way, you would also know the other ugly infos they might surely tell everyone online. If that scares you, then DO NOT GO.
Next, DO NOT TRUST ANYONE WHO SAYS THEY ARE AGENTS! Not true. They are only friends of friends of people who own a school who happen to know the school is looking for a teacher and want to get share looking for one. Where does the problem exist? When the school does not want you then it 's surely messed up from there and you are done. There goes your delayed payments and "visa" problems and so on.
GOOD LUCK!
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ok.. reading the stories.. here are my experiences.. I taught for 4yrs in Middle Kingdom (humdrum) ... the experience was overall good to ok. Why.. as you all know.. the Chinese have been repressed for Centuries with only a handful of those to experience Middle or Upper Class privelages. This goes onto to explain a great many things.. the accumulation and need of wealth/power. So, the school Leaders and Top tier teachers often boast and over emphasize their acheivements.. including whether 100% truthful or not. This said... I was repeatedly introduced to "Professors" low level, private schools to learn they had no such right to claim. Further, Foreign Affairs staff were often graduates or partners of the school. I worked in a few colleges (they called/wrote them as, University.. which is not true to the Chinese titles as written and spoken), and a public (state owned/managed) and private Elementary/Middle/High Schools.. plus about 8 Training schools. Nearly 4,000 students in all.. ages range from 4yrs to 52yrs with Training schools often availed to Professionals including Medical/Engineering staff. All said and done.. the students/client/customers were perfectly innocent in paying for services that were promised to rendered by Native English speaking Teachers/Instructors..however, not is the case in numerous instances! Further.. the Schools also imposed stupid/ridiculous/outrageous changes to work agreements/contracts well after employment was underway. Such as ZERO or little maintanence of residence (light bulbs included.. I had over 15 bulbs out of order for 7weeks.. with several never replaced). Air Conditioner damaged for the entire duration of my stay so, I bought and used a personal A/C. Salaries were typically paid.. even a sort of severance after I gave notice to leave from the Public/Private Schools.. however, the Training schools were the most notorious with two owners playing some sort of mental game with me.. well.. this American.. told the shove the money they owed me UP THEIR ASS! And told them to FUKC themselves, NEVER to contact me again! I didn't need the money.. but.. this was how they wanted to play it. Fortunately.. I had a Chinese Executive wife and a well connected family so I was not out but seriously pissed off. Other schools tried hard to adapt to Western Business ideals.. but, often would fail.. including complete satisfaction of contract agreement aluding to the part of paying the full hoiday salaries and travel reimbursements. I had troubles with 2 schools on this issue.. lastily is the corruptness of the Provincial Foreign Affairs... but.. there is an article that clarifies in a Spring edition of the China Daily of 2010. It seems that many payoffs were made to get anyone (especially of English speaking appearance -- yep, targeting caucasins) as to put them in the forefront of advertising as to show their school is sincere about the English Teacher.. except the fact that many Caucasian persons can not speak or use English doesn't matter. Oh.. even a American fugitive lived in China for nearly 7yrs before an angry lover contacted the Police! I had informed the Police of this idiot 2yrs prior to his actual arrest.. but.. well.. I guess no money to be had or just not worth the time/effort? I heard the Idiot was jailed and deported.. after teaching 1,000s of innocent children.. yep, elementary/middle/high schoolers.. as this is how I met this total jerk. But, the Chinese Local Jerks are much bigger problem.. and they like it the way it is.. they love their Cadillac as they are Chauffeured all around. These guys are smart enough to avoid most direct conflicts.. even contracts.
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This reads like a case of someone not qualified to teach, and writing a lot without saying anything.
I worked in China for 8 years and faced the frustrations of a country that has no essential contract laws and much corruption, which often is excused by quanxi; however if one takes proper care and research these things don't need to happen. I had so many responses to my resume, I asked many questions, and narrowed the field down to those that actually answered the questions, and choose the one that answered them most direct. Once there I encountered the frustration of cultural shock and the lack of compliance by the administration. One fact is that the school really does not employ you per se, you are there under the National auspices and have some protection and recourse. There too you deal with corruption but as they don't want attention to their graft, they will usually comply. Chinese culture does not take confrontation well and they will tell you whatever you want to hear regardless to stop it, or they put up their stone wall, but diplomacy and negotiations are not impossible. Just be careful and if there is one visible red flag, do not accept a position with promises alone. Remember their contract laws do not protect you, only the Foreign Expert card received from the government.
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So hard to read. I expect many people, who may wish to read what you have taken the time and effort to write, may be be turned off and tune out.
Sorry but I did.
The only reason I have taken the effort to write is that so many people who make long posts fall into the same trap.
Please use paragraphs. Have some consideration for your audience.
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I have similar experiences in the north and hebi province. My agency refused me salary and when I finally left they flooded my apartment, told police stories and forced me out of Changchun. And in Hebi province I had trouble with an agency who even when the contract finished he wanted to keep hold of me. So again he told the police some stories and I got into trouble again.
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Does anyone know if there is some kind of agency to go through if you feel the institution you are working is abusing its workers? The treatment I have received has been unacceptable and I'd like to know if there is anything I can do aside from taking it on the chin.
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Yes, there is a Foreign Teachers Office that will investigate and mediate any complaints received. Often they are also corrupt, but the greasy wheel proverb comes into play. Be sure you are there legally with a Foreign Expert's card and Resident Permit, if not you are better off leaving on your own because you will be deported...on the spot... I might add.
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I live just outside of Edmonton Alberta Canada. Recently the school that my son and daughter graduated from had a company come into the school and do a presentation to a group of 17 soon to be 18 year old students, mostly young girls. To go to china to teach English. I would say that had my daughter come home from school and told me she wanted to go to China for a year to teach English because of the presentation of this company the very next thing I would do is call my lawyer and start a law suit against the school board. This presentation was done without any parental involvment to a bunch of then minors. What was the school thinking bringing these people into the school to present a slick presentation to a bunch of students that had not even graduated yet.
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So what you're saying is you don't let your daughter make any of her own decisions or have any ambitions outside of being in Canada?
You selfish, over-protective prick.
If you don't like my comments you can file a lawsuit against me; it seems that's how you deal with problems that arise from bad parenting.
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His anger doesn't necessarily mean bad parenting - that whole situation sounds suspect. Trying to get 18 year old girls to go to China to teach English? How? They wouldn't be able to get work visas or even foreign expert certificates, having no university degree and/or teaching experience, not old enough, etc. The company's disregard for that little law alone justifies a parent being upset that this idea is getting sold to high school kids.
Would you want your kids to go overseas and work for a company that actively disregards that country's laws, especially in a place with a still-developing justice system? What do you do in case something goes wrong? My parents were excellent parents, and yet I'm pretty sure they would have a problem with a company trying to recruit me to China out of high school. University, sure, but not high school
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These girls would not qualify to teach in China. I would report this entity to the authorities, and certainly reprimand the school, which should inform the Chinese embassy of this fraudulent presentation. One must be over 21, a BA/S, and in most cases a TESL or equivalent. Do not let them exploit other girls or schools. The girls safety is certainly endangered. They would not be able to obtain proper visas even if in China. This is very scary. Reoort this to the Chinese embassy ASAP.
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My daughter is returned after one week of hell in Zunyi. Contract looked good here the states, flat with all utilities, furnished, $ 1000 american per month. When she and her 2 friends got there, the VERY rich owner (Mr. Jo is what he calls himself) of this kindergarten decided he didn't like the contract. If they wanted their electric and water bills paid by the school, they were going to have to work 7 days per week.
There flat had a couch, a broken tv, broken refrigerator, cable that did not work, and one of the beds was just the box spring. No pillows or bedding, and they were told not to answer the door if anyone knocked. They would be picked up in the morning and dropped off in the afternoon, with no interpreterator to help them outside the school building. Luckily they had a Chinese native who lives here in the states so over to China and rip the guy a new one....not sure what the heck happened but on day 2 of the negotiations this lady stood up and said "we are leaving". She immediately took the 3 back to the apartment and drove to airport where they left for Beijing and a flight back to US. Waiting my daughter's arrival tomorrow to find out what the heck happened. These young people gave up a lot, including their US jobs, for what they thought was going to be a wonderful adventure. Turned into the trip from hell !
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If your working here legally and your taking crap, you can report problems to your local PSB (Public Security Bureau) and watch as nothing will happen. reporting problems with pay and living difficulties to your embassy will make you feel better, but wont help, most cases they will note it and do nothing as its "Chinese internal problem" and in some cases i know of, when the embassy does get involved it's time for the FT to move to another city, province, country, planet as the boss will have lost face and will hunt you down, seems extreme, it happens here.
Even if you join a big ESL player such as WEB, EF, WALL ST, you will face problems, my advice is cover all bases BEFORE you sign anything, what might seem a simple or even stupid question to ask, may save your time and stress and blood pressure in the long run, avoid recruiters, contact places directly, google the school or centers name, if your not worried about money then the safest option is Government schools and Universities.
I work for a huge corporation in China, i am not treated unfairly, they do nothing to make me feel unsafe or worried about anything, i am paid well and the benefits are excellent, but like with any employment there are personal issues, but they are personal, so before you try to remove your bosses head in any job in China, think about if its you or them thats the issue.
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I think people get swept up in the feeling that coming to live in China is like a holiday or because they are foreign certain things wont happen to them and they then tend to let their guard down.
I got extremely lucky with my company, they had someone meet me at the airport, i got placed in a lovely school and have had loads of support and always been paid on time. I know this doesn't happen to everyone, but when i was first looking for work there were definitely some dodgy people out there contacting me and my spidey sense told me to avoid them.
I also think people tend to forget that if you're working illegally on a L or F visa and your school/company is screwing you around.....you can just walk away. Sure that doesn't work in every circumstance such as if you are waiting to get paid, but the contract is worthless if you're here illegally. In a city like Shanghai you can just walk away and easily get another job.
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