Hi Nathan,
I'd like to reply to your question by stating two thingsand asking one question. Firstly I would like to clarify that I AM currently in the employ of Auqi English School, and secondly I would not deny that some of the things you may find in your research of the may have at least a basis of truth. The school has been running for almost four years and in this time it has indeed gone from a *ahem* less than reputable business to the far more legitimate school you'll know today. In response more directly to the segment posted by Antonio in relation to the business to day the vast majority of the information is invalid. You may notice that the post is somewhat dated by the standard of business development in China and I can tell you that several of the points, while many true at that point, have not only been rectified but have been placed in a contract to protect the teachers from being exploited, but also the school from *ahem* less than legitimate, and respectable foreign staff.
Also, I'd like to ask about the teaching vertificate that you have mentioned, while it is the case it is an offer that will begin this semester and has not existed in the past.
I will not make comment on any personalised statements in the post becasue I was not there at the time of these occuring (I have worked with the school both before and after these events so I have seen personally the changes taking place)
a) There IS a great deal of travel involved in this position, for both men and women equally, however teachers have been compensated for this travel for the last 18 months.
b) Return tickets are no longer offered as a result of more dishonest, and enterprising teachers took the opportunity for a free trip to Chna without the intention for completing the contract. That said, to this date NOONE has had their ticket revoked on completion of the contract, I'm not saying threats haven't been made, I haven't been witness to these instances but have heard of them, most definatley NOT every teacher no more that two to my knowledge through communication error. However to my knowledge all of these people have returned safely to their own country at the school's expense.
c) All overtime is voluntary. In the event of sickness, unforseen circumstances, or "deserters". All teachers are compensated for overtime on a ladder system.
d) I have been a witness to so called "withholding of passports" There have been two reasons for this of which I am aware of. 1. The school in the past has needed to collect up passports to extend visa's and the return has been delayed (certainly not preferable and hopefully eliminated in coming terms through the wonders of EMS) or 2. and yes this is referring directly to my own experience, MY, and only my to my knowledge passport was withheld because of thefts on the property and concern for it's safety. Let me assure the roof was hit and any cultural confusion regarding the acceptability of this practice was dealt with and will NEVER happen again.
d) All teachers have their contracts signed and witnessed before departure, the school's safety as well as their own.
e) all teachers have a two day training course prior to departure and several days, usually a full week, of orientation on arrival. Returning teachers recieve a day refresher course as well.
Texts have existed in Aoqi for two years with varying success. All schools are responsible for copying the material and there still are instances when this is less than reliable. Flexibility is a part of Chinese culture, not necessarily the most endearing part, nut all teachers are trained for these events and our school endeavours to ensure this is recified bu the following week.
f) Working visa's are awarded to all teacher's, tourist visa's were most certainly the practice of the past but as the school has legitimised so have their practices improved.
This has turned into an absurdly long post but in conclusion the school has it's faults to this day but there is a reason staff return to this school. It's a fantastic opportunity to combine travel and work, while experiencing the authentic China and gaining expewrience taht can open ESL doors over the world.
Aoqi will have a website in the coming months, in the meantime you can contact the school on
auqi@aemail4u.com, or myself on eryn@aemail4u (yes I setup the school's email, is it that obvious?)
Eryn