15 Comments on Suzhou Foreign Language School China

Andy on Thu, 6th Dec 2007 8:49 pm


Hi

Anyone going to work for this school should be very careful. I worked this semester for this school. The school itself is quite good and the teachers, but the management are terrible. since weorking for this company ive seen three foreign teachers attacked physically by the management, even one teacher was attacked outside the school grounds at the bus stop by the security of the school. The management their are terrible, they do not help foreign teachers settle into their new surroundings and they treat you with no respect at all. the principle of the school tells us we have no culture and makes it obvious for his hatred towards foreign staff. Since working for this school ive seen seen six teachers leave with-in two months because some were frightened off and some were just plain disgusted in their given treatment. If you go and work for this school then please be prepared for a rough time in China.

Jason on Sat, 8th Dec 2007 11:41 pm


I also worked for this school, I was the one that was attacked off the school grounds. My problem with this school was the principal and some of the staff. They called the police to take my motorcycle and lied to me about it. When I found out the truth and approached them with my concerns I was lied to again and again. When I confronted the principal to his face about the constant lies he got very very angry and told me to “go back to your country!” the next day i walked out and was assaulted at the bus stop. I then called the police and when I got to the police station the principal and his cronies where there and it became about how I was a “bad teacher” and not the matter at hand. This was because the school has the police in their pocket. I have worked for 8 schools since coming coming to china and have had some kind of problem at almost everyone of them but have not felt the need to publish it on the net.

JC on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 3:15 pm


How else would anyone know about a particular school if no one comments on it. Keep posting and thanks for the post.

Californian1 on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 3:41 pm


Dear:
In addition to my posting on TEFL-Watch because of the
damaging posting by those two “bad apples” from a foreign
country (please see the attached file), I would like to report
a very happy day in today’s unusual field trip which was
organized in a big hurry and was surprisingly approved and supported by
the principal, the vice principal, the class advisory master teacher, and the
CIE chemistry master teacher: I first learned about the biannual environmental expo
at the International exhibition center in Pudong, Shanghai last Wednesday evening
when I came home from a long day. I immediately went online and downloaded some
of the exhibit contents in English, applied for the fieldtrip for today because I am
giving an “open lecture” tonorrow afternoon in my CIE (1) chemistry class and could
not change it. Well, I got the exceptional approval by the principal of SFLS on Friday
when I was in Shanghai customs in PM. So I quickly made plans to take all 20
students in my CIE (2) and (3) classes (equivalent to junior and senior in age group
in US) to Pudong. After overcoming some minor obstacles yesterday I bought the
round-trip Fast train tickets for 22 people, including another teacher and got them delivered in the evening yesterday. I got more support from the vice principal for an
early school bus ride for all 22 of us to the Suzhou train station to catch the 6:37 AM fast train to Shanghai. Then there was the subway, change to another subway train to Longyang Road stop, took the free bshuttle bus to the Int’l Exhibit Center, got all 22 students to visit the booths of their choice, ate lunch, went to more exhibits until their hearts content, gathered the brood at 1:45 PM to shuttle, shuttle, subway, subway,
and got to our seats on the 3:40 PM fast train at the Shanghai station with 5 minutes
to spare. Not a single student got lost or was left behind when we all got back
to SFLS by 5:10 PM ! Whew!
I took a quick shower, ate supper at the cafeteria, went to the office for about half of
an hour, went to the school doctor’s office for a quick blood pressure check at 118
over 80. A fantastic day with lots of brochures and material on environmental
chemistry & engineering stuff. So indeed it was a great Day!
Thank you very much!
Californian1

kev on Sun, 19th Oct 2008 7:28 am


It’s amazing that the positive comments for this school never get posted . . . well not for long. Too bad only the loser ex-teachers of this school manage to get published.

ESL teacher on Mon, 1st Dec 2008 5:08 am


Wow!

If any teacher reads this blog, I BEG you never to apply for a position in this school, except if you want to be insulted, treated like trash, lied to , stolen, and so on…!!!!,
I applied to this school as ESL teacher, a job I have done for 9 years, I am a senior teacher, and they gave me a class on my own, it was the first time for me to have my own class as I specified very clearly when I had the interview that I was an ESL teacher and NOT primary school teacher! they say they are the first school in Suzhou, BUT…. they don’t have enough teachers!!!!!So they lied to me telling me I will be an ESL teacher to tell me 3 days before my classes what I would have to do.
I did my best and worked days and nights to do a very good job, but everyday, a member of the staff, ( a real bitch) would come to insult me and say me classes were not good, not once in a while but every day,( she is 22, se can barely speak English and se is not a teacher! but she can say if a class is good or not! let me laugh! Another bastard aslo found funny to insult me, harrass me, every day for 3 months. I must be very crazy to have stayed there for so long. Another teacher already left because of the same reasons, and 4 others are going to leave before next semester.
I really think this school should wonder why they don’t have enough teachers, no senior teachers, and especially why so many teachers leave!
They made my life miserable, they trashed me for 3 months, and I really advise you never to apply to this school.
They lied to me about my salary and stole money from my salary every months to so called taxes when I realized ( thanks to a friend who works in the Labor Department)that they didn’t give any money to the governement!
For my last salary, it was easy, either i left, accompanied by the guards of the school and they would give me 1/4th of my salary or they would call the police to say I was not a member of the school!!!! They stole again money from me.
This school is the worst I have ever seen, what is that ? a big joke?
Well for the people concerned, rot in hell, that’s your place.

English Student on Thu, 11th Dec 2008 7:10 pm


I think SFLS is great! I went there on a homestay trip with my school in England and it was a fantastic experience, they are so hospitable and warm – food is not so great!

kev on Thu, 18th Dec 2008 7:29 am


Another disgruntled teacher who speaks in lies and half-truths. You can take the ramblings as you will but I was able to first-hand observe her classes and I can tell you, she and the school are lucky to be rid of each other. Perhaps she was told that she was going to be doing “ESL” and was put in a classroom that was following an American curriculum. Why not say “no thank you” on that first day of school if this was a problem? If she didn’t want taxes taken out of her pay, why not negotiate for a NET salary instead of grumping about it later? Any foreigner earning over 4800 rmb a month in China is subject to taxation. Also, what’s one person’s “trash” is another person’s constructive criticism. All new teachers are under a tighter scrutiny. This has been my experience wherever I’ve taught, in China or back home. The fact is, SFLS is a pretty decent school who’ve always treated me with respect and kindness and have looked after me every single day of my 3+ years of teaching there. Of course, I show up to school on time every day (and don’t stay home for the littlest sniffle), do my work honestly and fairly, and give them a good teacher in exchange for what they give me. For those that can’t stick it out for even a year and rise to the occasion . . . well, go back and reread that post again only this time, read between the lies . . . uh, lines!

Justin on Sun, 15th Mar 2009 12:04 am


This school is full of nothing but worthless ass admin. I broke my knee on the school property, the school’s fault and they fired me, sons of bitches.!!!!!!!!!!! STAY FAR, FAR AWAY FROM THIS SHITHOLE!!!

Marie-Stephanie de la Garde on Wed, 29th Apr 2009 8:59 pm


This school is definitely an avoid at all costs.

The poster Kev7161 above is one of the foreign managers at the school. His very own department bleeds teachers. Very few have been there more than two years and many run away after three-four months. It is considered an extremely abusive situation to work in. Even after I left, or was pushed out by Kev7161, I hear that the remaining teachers are all running away.

Everything that the previous posters have written is quite true. If you take employment at this school you will need to pay great attention to your paycheck (always “irregularities”, the extra “free” work that they will pile upon top of you, etc., etc.).

There are three or four departments within the school, each managed by American teachers. Each American head teacher is a male, in his late 50’s, and believe it or not, each one weighs at least 350-400 pounds. I never saw so many fat white males under one roof in a foreign country.

Considering that they host 20 foreign teachers a year, it is strange that nearly 16-17 of these teachers run away, don’t come back, don’t renew their contracts, etc., etc.

In my own case, in early December, this Kev7161 harassed me to death until I could take it no more. He is anti-female, anti-anything-but-American, etc., etc

I beg any teacher that seeks employment in this hellhole — run, run, run, run, run as fast as you can. Otherwise, it’s a bit like the “Hotel California” if you know the song.

Marie-Stephanie de la Garde
Singapore

kev on Wed, 20th May 2009 3:53 am


Well, personally, I clock in at UNDER 300 lbs, and am 48 so . . . there you go. AND there is only one other foreign male given a so-called Assistant Director position.

This “Marie-Stephanie de la Garde” is actually (I’m 99% certain, who can ever know for sure on the anonymous internet?) a large, late 50s, bald fat man who just left our school when his many, MANY temper tantrums didn’t go his way. The “Stefani” he is trying to pretend to be actually doesn’t have as good mastery of English as this one does (well . . . you know). She’s the one who posted on Dec 1st, 2008. Compare the syntax of both posts and you’ll see what I mean. Personally, I am not anti-female. I have 4 other foreign, female co-teachers in my department that I think are just swell, thanks. Also, many hard-working, kind, and quite patient female Chinese teachers as well who all seemingly get along fine with me and I with them.

Hearing that the remaining five teachers in our department are running away is simply untrue. One has not renewed her contract for her own reasons; the other three (including myself) have already re-signed happily. And, if this “Marie-Stephanie” “heard” that teachers were fleeing the school, how did she hear of this all the way down in Singapore? A conundrum to be sure.

I will repeat myself: Suzhou Foreign Language School is a fine school to work with. They treat their responsible, mature, professional teachers with a great deal of respect and good benefits. They are not a perfect school; show me one that is. But I know they are always trying very hard.

About my pay: I get paid regularly, on-time, every time. I am never shorted or over-taxed or what-not. I renegotiate my contract each year and they are always more than generous. Why? Because I actually WORK for these people. I come in on time every day and don’t treat my superiors and colleagues as if they are ignorant. I give them the respect that they give to me.

Because of “Marie-Stephanie’s” inability to teach his 1st grade charges effectively (and thus quitting 5 weeks before the end of the term in a huff), I and other teachers have taken over his class. These kids are sweet, adorable, funny, and creative. Sadly, due to ineffectual teaching, they are a bit behind on the curve when it comes to academic development. His final proclamation before he left was “All my kids are at a 3rd grade reading level thanks to me and my extra efforts.” He’s a legend in his own mind at least. They are coming along at a somewhat normal 1st grade pace and we’ll get them to some sort of ending by late June, but their 2nd grade teachers will have to overcome some teaching deficiencies at the beginning of next term to bring them up to speed. It’s do-able, just a bit more challenging.

This site seems to have become a dumping ground for any teacher that has come to our school and simply can’t handle the workload. As long as they come to complain dishonestly, I’ll be here to defend my school, myself, and my fellow professionals. Thank you for taking the time to read my rebuttal.

Amanda on Wed, 20th May 2009 7:21 am


I think SFLS is a great school. Normally I would not even bother with things like this but when I see blatant lies being told I feel the need to speak the truth.

I have taught in bad schools, that paid late or charged extra fees. This is not one of them! There have been times when I was charged for something I did not agree with or was unsure about. These discrepancies were always rectified in a timely matter. As long as you are patient and sane the school is very good about listening to your concerns and fixing any problems you may have.

The teachers are kind, the children are wonderful, the curriculum is great and the school itself is in a good safe location. I really enjoy teaching in the international department and if it were not for the health of my parents and other personal reasons; I would certainly stay another year or two. If I ever come back to China to teach again I would love the opportunity to return to this school. I would be lying if I said that I never had issues at the school but all of the problems that I had were few and far between. Furthermore all were with individuals not with the school itself. One such problem was even with a foreign teacher who thankfully left the school last week.

I would strongly suggest ,to anyone interested in teaching not only at SFLS but at any school in China, that all post be taken with a grain of salt… even this one. I think the best thing to do when looking at a school is to appraise the overall reputation of the institution and ask to speak to a foreign teacher at the school. That is what I did when I was deciding on a school and I feel that by talking to a foreign teacher I got an honest depiction of SFLS.

-Amanda
Suzhou Foreign Language School

TBShaw on Mon, 25th May 2009 11:04 pm


My, my, my…

“I love the place…”, “I hate the place…”, etc. etc. Good grief. I guess it’s time for the “other” American admin/teacher guy to speak his piece. I am 51, and yes, pretty close to 400 pounds, whatever that means in any educational context. I am the Academic Director for the University of Cambridge International Examinations program at SFLS. You know, that little college in England? Been around about a thousand years? Yeah that one. SFLS is an approved and certified A-levels exam centre. This is NOT Bob’s English Academy for the Rich and Indolent.

Let me make it simple. China is NOT a place for inflexibility. It is NOT a place for those with no sense of humor. It is NOT a place for everyone. This July will end my sixth year in China, the last two in SFLS. I should also say I have had only 3 jobs in six years, 3 1/2 years at the Missouri State branch program at Liaoning Normal University in Dalian, and a brief stay at a private English school in Changchun. I hope that establishes my “China cred.”

Is SFLS perfect, never a problem, always wonderful? Ummm, is anyplace else?? What SFLS is, is a good solid school, student-centered and decisively run by a man and admin group I have always found it easy to approach and work with. Notice I said DECISIVELY run. That is very rare in China, where most administrators seem to need to have multiple meetings and discussions to finally decide on the brand of toilet paper they will use. That is not true here, and issues are resolved quickly, and in my case at least, fairly. I have never made a request of SFLS administration that has not been granted, in a timely fashion.

And while we are about it, can we mention the kids? They are HAPPY here, and it shows. Morale is high. Enthusiasm for school activities and education in general is the best I have seen, including in American schools. Don’t get me wrong, not every student is an angel, but that would just be boring wouldn’t it?? My students are, in the main, a true joy to teach, just really fun!

I have taught in some fairly difficult environments most teachers would desperately avoid, such as a four year stint in a maximum security prison, where I received certification as an FBI-trained hostage and crisis negotiation specialist. So maybe I am not quite so “tender” as some of the malcontents that have posted here. But I was sent to this thread by a colleague at the school who was shocked at what he read, and after reading some of the semi-literate comments by some of these disgruntled “English teachers,” I have begun to wonder if they were even at the same school that I am.

It seems to me there are some expats who really should not have come to China. I have known people who have had truly horrifying experiences here in China, rapes and assaults among them. I have also been at schools who have had truly horrifying foreigners inflicted on them, this school among them. After the crop we had last year, I was afraid our principal would fire ALL the foreigners and never hire any more. Some of the people who have posted here have not given the complete picture of their tenure at SFLS, to say the least. Take it for what it’s worth, but I am a big fan of SFLS so far, and I have renewed my contract for another year.

TBShaw

Mme de Brissac on Thu, 25th Jun 2009 9:38 pm


There are now at least ONE HUNDRED (100) POSTS warning about this school all over the Internet. ONE HUNDRED!

http://www.eslteachersboard.co.....m — at least 70 posting! Raoul’s China Saloon – at least 15-20 more postings! Various blogs and an entire site devoted to the ills of this school.

This is a definite avoid at all costs.

Kev on Sat, 18th Jul 2009 8:13 pm


Yes, and most of these postings and blogs and what-not are posted by the same 2 or 3 people over and over and over again ad nauseum (certainly under a variety of names but you can easily recognize the extremely similar writing styles). And most of these postings steered far away from the merits (or lack thereof) of the school and started focusing on personal attacks on individuals that would dare to disagree. Accusing people of child molestation, sleeping with the boss, ganging up on poor, unsuspecting new teachers, unprofessionalism, lynch mob mentality, etc. Yes, please do visit those other sites as suggested and you’ll get a taste of what I am referring to.

If I were bold enough to accuse someone of child molestation or violence toward students or any of the other several unfounded accusations, I’d want to back up those accusations with my own REAL name, dates and times of alleged violations, names of school leaders, even names of parents that must have come to me with these complaints (after all, a teacher can’t be in all places at all times, right? Surely they are getting these stories from concerned parents!).

Suzhou Foreign Language School is a top-notch school to work for. Some of those that have left angrily are, in all likelihood, in cahoots in order to mount a smear campaign. If you do a google search for this school, you’ll find several sites with nasty little threads about this school under people’s “names” that claim they’ve worked for this school. The names are as hollow as the claims they are making. Now that they’ve left this school far behind them, I wonder which school they will target NEXT (you know, the moment they get angry again due to perceived slights)?

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