Comments on: Suzhou Foreign Language School China http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html Independent Information on TEFL Life, Opportunities and Schools Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:45:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: dmb http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html/comment-page-1#comment-141066 dmb Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:39:46 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-141066 Good pay and short hours but management is absolutely TERRIBLE. Thay have no ideas, plans or even knowledge of running of a school. The Chinese teachers want nothing to do with the foreign teachers. Keeping us out of meetings, any pertinent information regarding the the English classes that we are responsible for and making sure that any changes that are made are not made privy to us until the last possible moments; most of the time minutes before class or when the change is to be implemented. The students have no discipline and we are constantly told "this is the Chinese way". The students literally run around during breaks, up and down the stairs, back and forth; scream and yell answers during lessons not in any sort of orderly fashion. When we try to tell the upper management all they say is "when in Rome, do as the Romans" as if this American quote is supposed to smooth over all the management problems. YOU may be asking: Why can't we get control of the classroom. Any third year bachelor seeking student seeking a degree in education will tell you that classroom management in some cases is the other 50% needed in a classroom that will literally make or break that specific year and relationship with the students. Because the Chinese don't believe in discipling or "managing" the students, chaos is rampant. For a true educator it is very disappointing. Moreover, this school does not buy ESL material but rather the English material for English speaking children. They somehow have diluted their thinking and believe that buying English material will somehow magically make them English speakers. It takes a simple person to know and understand that this is not the case; if it was then why don't more Chinese people actually know English. They don't; at most they know a few phrases and broken English. Honestly, I would steer clear of Suzhou or any of the schools related to it. I know its unfortunate but perhaps being in Shanghai or Beijing is a better choice for those wanting to truly help and aide in education of the masses Good pay and short hours but management is absolutely TERRIBLE. Thay have no ideas, plans or even knowledge of running of a school. The Chinese teachers want nothing to do with the foreign teachers. Keeping us out of meetings, any pertinent information regarding the the English classes that we are responsible for and making sure that any changes that are made are not made privy to us until the last possible moments; most of the time minutes before class or when the change is to be implemented. The students have no discipline and we are constantly told “this is the Chinese way”. The students literally run around during breaks, up and down the stairs, back and forth; scream and yell answers during lessons not in any sort of orderly fashion. When we try to tell the upper management all they say is “when in Rome, do as the Romans” as if this American quote is supposed to smooth over all the management problems. YOU may be asking: Why can’t we get control of the classroom. Any third year bachelor seeking student seeking a degree in education will tell you that classroom management in some cases is the other 50% needed in a classroom that will literally make or break that specific year and relationship with the students. Because the Chinese don’t believe in discipling or “managing” the students, chaos is rampant. For a true educator it is very disappointing. Moreover, this school does not buy ESL material but rather the English material for English speaking children. They somehow have diluted their thinking and believe that buying English material will somehow magically make them English speakers. It takes a simple person to know and understand that this is not the case; if it was then why don’t more Chinese people actually know English. They don’t; at most they know a few phrases and broken English. Honestly, I would steer clear of Suzhou or any of the schools related to it. I know its unfortunate but perhaps being in Shanghai or Beijing is a better choice for those wanting to truly help and aide in education of the masses

]]> By: Emily http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html/comment-page-1#comment-140942 Emily Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:29:15 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-140942 I have visited this school and known something about this school. Ithink all the negative posters are those people who have already fired by the school. so they complained. But there are still a lot of foreign teachers working there. Why haven't they been fired? Have you thought about that ? And many foreign teachers stay in this school for many years, and they got prizes every year. Why do you go to this school, isn't that because this school can provide you with a good salary, a comfortable place to live for free, the teachers and the students respect you , and you can show your ability very well in this school. Think what the school provides you , and how you behave yourself ! Some foreign teachers always get drunk at night and go back to the school very late during the night. And some teachers always take different ladies to the dormity that live in school. What place do you think China is, What place do you think the school is! When you get paid, when Chinese people respect you, at the same time , you should respect the Chinese. Why don't you think about the good aspect, When you get injured , the teachers send you to the hospital late at night, When your passport is out of date, the teachers helps you to make it valid.You lost your money in your salary , that's the punishment , you always go to the classes very late, all the students are waiting for you ; You have no teaching experience, and at same time , you don't work hard. the students can't learn anything from you ! so you must get fired. Don't complain any more. if you want to live comfortably in China , and you have to work , so please work hard. Easy and comfortable life won't fall down from the sky. I have visited this school and known something about this school. Ithink all the negative posters are those people who have already fired by the school. so they complained. But there are still a lot of foreign teachers working there. Why haven’t they been fired? Have you thought about that ? And many foreign teachers stay in this school for many years, and they got prizes every year. Why do you go to this school, isn’t that because this school can provide you with a good salary, a comfortable place to live for free, the teachers and the students respect you , and you can show your ability very well in this school. Think what the school provides you , and how you behave yourself ! Some foreign teachers always get drunk at night and go back to the school very late during the night. And some teachers always take different ladies to the dormity that live in school. What place do you think China is, What place do you think the school is! When you get paid, when Chinese people respect you, at the same time , you should respect the Chinese. Why don’t you think about the good aspect, When you get injured , the teachers send you to the hospital late at night, When your passport is out of date, the teachers helps you to make it valid.You lost your money in your salary , that’s the punishment , you always go to the classes very late, all the students are waiting for you ; You have no teaching experience, and at same time , you don’t work hard. the students can’t learn anything from you ! so you must get fired. Don’t complain any more. if you want to live comfortably in China , and you have to work , so please work hard. Easy and comfortable life won’t fall down from the sky.

]]> By: Raoul F. Duke http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html/comment-page-1#comment-138529 Raoul F. Duke Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:32:49 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-138529 Oh, wow...this school, known locally as "SIFLIS", is one of the very worst nightmare schools in China, which is why Kevin has to keep trotting from site to site yelling about how "great" it is. He's already been shouted off of most major China EFL websites. I am a long-time Suzhou resident and knew many, many people unlucky enough to take a job there. <b>NOT ONE</b> of them had a kind word to say about the place. Please listen to the overwhelming reality that the bit of school-sponsored propaganda generates. Don't even think about working for SIFLIS. Oh, wow…this school, known locally as “SIFLIS”, is one of the very worst nightmare schools in China, which is why Kevin has to keep trotting from site to site yelling about how “great” it is. He’s already been shouted off of most major China EFL websites.
I am a long-time Suzhou resident and knew many, many people unlucky enough to take a job there. NOT ONE of them had a kind word to say about the place. Please listen to the overwhelming reality that the bit of school-sponsored propaganda generates. Don’t even think about working for SIFLIS.

]]> By: Matthew http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html/comment-page-1#comment-138467 Matthew Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:59:01 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-138467 This school is great. 2 dudes that couldn't hack it got fired two years ago, and have been trying to soil the reputation of this prestigious school ever since. My recruiter personally investigated the claims made against the school and concluded that 2 guys are using multiple accounts on many different websites because they are bitter about getting fired for coming to class drunk. So if you like to drink on the job stay away. If not, you will surely enjoy working here, it is cake, finished by 12 or 1, good holidays, good support among the staff, free accommodation and food. I recommend working here. This school is great. 2 dudes that couldn’t hack it got fired two years ago, and have been trying to soil the reputation of this prestigious school ever since. My recruiter personally investigated the claims made against the school and concluded that 2 guys are using multiple accounts on many different websites because they are bitter about getting fired for coming to class drunk. So if you like to drink on the job stay away. If not, you will surely enjoy working here, it is cake, finished by 12 or 1, good holidays, good support among the staff, free accommodation and food. I recommend working here.

]]> By: VocalRush http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html/comment-page-1#comment-137685 VocalRush Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:51:33 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-137685 This "C. Worthington", er, PERSON seems to be the same poster as "Marie-Stephanie de la Garde" from higher up on the page. This guy sure loves his female pseudonyms! And he sure has a HUGE mad-on toward this school. It's been two plus years since he worked here (for just about 10 whole weeks!) and he's still going on (and on) about SFLS. He's like a dog with his favorite chew toy. Locks his jaws and won't let go! LOL! Really . . . all he ever says are complete fabrications. Pay him no mind (not that many do anyway). As for the school not being able to "fill their hiring quota" - - balderdash! It is fully staffed with FTs (34 this year, the school keeps on growing and growing regardless of faulty and totally fantastical "reviews"!). The main hiring personnel even told me we actually had an overabundance of applicants this year. Something's going on here and it's not what this guy above is reporting, that's for sure! This “C. Worthington”, er, PERSON seems to be the same poster as “Marie-Stephanie de la Garde” from higher up on the page. This guy sure loves his female pseudonyms! And he sure has a HUGE mad-on toward this school. It’s been two plus years since he worked here (for just about 10 whole weeks!) and he’s still going on (and on) about SFLS. He’s like a dog with his favorite chew toy. Locks his jaws and won’t let go! LOL! Really . . . all he ever says are complete fabrications. Pay him no mind (not that many do anyway). As for the school not being able to “fill their hiring quota” – - balderdash! It is fully staffed with FTs (34 this year, the school keeps on growing and growing regardless of faulty and totally fantastical “reviews”!). The main hiring personnel even told me we actually had an overabundance of applicants this year. Something’s going on here and it’s not what this guy above is reporting, that’s for sure!

]]> By: C. Worthington http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html/comment-page-1#comment-136389 C. Worthington Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:56:57 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-136389 First of all, I am signing this post with my maiden name and my middle initial. I am dreadfully afraid of this school and of one individual in particular. I worked there for one full academic year 2010 - 2011. They didn't ask me back and I surely did not want to go back. I fled for my life. albeit silently and with composure, at the end of the term. I was berated and nearly screamed at to death. This one individual gives new meaning to the word "abusive". I did not heed all the warnings that I saw on the Internet about this school and about one particular individual. I only thought about the "high" salary. Greedy and money-grubbing, I was. I am now safely thousands and thousands of miles away from them but I still cringe when I come across something to do with them. They are advertising all over the Internet again for September 2011. They cannot fill their hiring quota. Their name and the name of one particular person has finally caught up with them. I could go on-and-on but I wont. Do an Internet search, as I had, and unlike me, BELIEVE THE WARNINGS. The farther away, the better. And if you take the job, watch your back very carefully. You will never know when they will fire you, throw you out of your apartment, cause big problems, etc., etc. There is so much goodness in China, there actually is, but not here in this place. Not in this life, not in the next. First of all, I am signing this post with my maiden name and my middle initial. I am dreadfully afraid of this school and of one individual in particular.
I worked there for one full academic year 2010 – 2011. They didn’t ask me back and I surely did not want to go back.

I fled for my life. albeit silently and with composure, at the end of the term. I was berated and nearly screamed at to death. This one individual gives new meaning to the word “abusive”.

I did not heed all the warnings that I saw on the Internet about this school and about one particular individual. I only thought about the “high” salary. Greedy and money-grubbing, I was.

I am now safely thousands and thousands of miles away from them but I still cringe when I come across something to do with them.

They are advertising all over the Internet again for September 2011. They cannot fill their hiring quota. Their name and the name of one particular person has finally caught up with them.

I could go on-and-on but I wont. Do an Internet search, as I had, and unlike me, BELIEVE THE WARNINGS. The farther away, the better. And if you take the job, watch your back very carefully. You will never know when they will fire you, throw you out of your apartment, cause big problems, etc., etc.

There is so much goodness in China, there actually is, but not here in this place. Not in this life, not in the next.

]]> By: girl http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html/comment-page-1#comment-136172 girl Tue, 19 Jul 2011 02:23:44 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-136172 DO NOT TEACH AT THIS SCHOOL. horrible experience. the people commenting with positivity are from the school itself. DO NOT TEACH AT THIS SCHOOL. horrible experience. the people commenting with positivity are from the school itself.

]]> By: susan http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html/comment-page-1#comment-133477 susan Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:29:34 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-133477 a very unprofessional school. they will rip u off or simply ignore u once u r hooked a very unprofessional school. they will rip u off or simply ignore u once u r hooked

]]> By: Name (required) http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html/comment-page-1#comment-133332 Name (required) Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:24:04 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-133332 STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL! i will not renew my contract (been there for some time) and those of you who know me also know why. all i can say is management there SUCKS. they will cheat you as much as they possibly can, whenever they can. it all sounds good BEFORE you start working...but they will soon start mistreating you!! not going to elaborate things too much (yeah i know) and you can call me a liar or whatever you want but the truth is, #### I #### wish i would have read about this school at this forum before i came here. man, don't repeat my mistakes!!!! this school stinks. the salary (i got 7000 a month) sucks since i know they pay others 10k for the same job. even filipinos working here get more money than 7000. they have very high expectations considering the shitty salary they pay you and god fucking forbid if you don't teach like you are a triple professor or something or if you happen to misspell Zimbabwe or whatever. china is nice but this school isn't. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL!
i will not renew my contract (been there for some time) and those of you who know me also know why. all i can say is management there SUCKS. they will cheat you as much as they possibly can, whenever they can. it all sounds good BEFORE you start working…but they will soon start mistreating you!!
not going to elaborate things too much (yeah i know) and you can call me a liar or whatever you want but the truth is, #### I #### wish i would have read about this school at this forum before i came here. man, don’t repeat my mistakes!!!! this school stinks. the salary (i got 7000 a month) sucks since i know they pay others 10k for the same job. even filipinos working here get more money than 7000. they have very high expectations considering the shitty salary they pay you and god fucking forbid if you don’t teach like you are a triple professor or something or if you happen to misspell Zimbabwe or whatever. china is nice but this school isn’t.

]]> By: confused http://www.teflschoolreviews.com/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china-2007235.html/comment-page-1#comment-132156 confused Sun, 15 May 2011 09:24:22 +0000 http://www.teflwatch.org/235/suzhou-foreign-language-school-china/#comment-132156 ??? There was a child molestation case? Was there a trial? A prosecution? A deportment? A jail sentence? Maybe you meant "allegations" instead of "case"? There were official reports? In a well-known, hard-hitting, fact-finding newspaper such as . . . . ???? Can "Sam" post some links to these official reports? I think Kevin posted a couple of times that several of the negative "reviews" were posted again and again by a couple of the same people under different web names (a common web-bullying tactic). If Kevin truly were posting under different names, yet positive reviews instead of negative . . . well, Sam, isn't that a case of the pot calling the kettle black? All's fair in love and internet war, yes? Sam, have you actually worked for SFLS like several of the above posters have claimed, or are you just stirring the pot a bit because . . . ???? (maybe you tried to get a job there and were turned down?) I don't know that I would say so many people are "lying" about this school, rather, they are telling their own version of the truth . . . which is not necessarily the whole truth or even much of a truth, but it's the way they see/saw things at the time of their employ. I wouldn't take anyone's anonymous internet testimonials as a TRUTH, rather a kind of, hint of, whiff of a truth. Sam . . . care to respond? ??? There was a child molestation case? Was there a trial? A prosecution? A deportment? A jail sentence? Maybe you meant “allegations” instead of “case”?

There were official reports? In a well-known, hard-hitting, fact-finding newspaper such as . . . . ???? Can “Sam” post some links to these official reports?

I think Kevin posted a couple of times that several of the negative “reviews” were posted again and again by a couple of the same people under different web names (a common web-bullying tactic). If Kevin truly were posting under different names, yet positive reviews instead of negative . . . well, Sam, isn’t that a case of the pot calling the kettle black? All’s fair in love and internet war, yes?

Sam, have you actually worked for SFLS like several of the above posters have claimed, or are you just stirring the pot a bit because . . . ???? (maybe you tried to get a job there and were turned down?)

I don’t know that I would say so many people are “lying” about this school, rather, they are telling their own version of the truth . . . which is not necessarily the whole truth or even much of a truth, but it’s the way they see/saw things at the time of their employ. I wouldn’t take anyone’s anonymous internet testimonials as a TRUTH, rather a kind of, hint of, whiff of a truth.

Sam . . . care to respond?

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