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Post by gretch on Nov 21, 2005 1:37:53 GMT 7
I am in process of job hunting and when contacted by the school I ask for emails of FT (current or past)...However, they only give one, and some of these schools/ univ have >5FT on campus? One FT I contacted told me that other FT are very hesitant in giving out personal emails, as they don't know who they are really corresponding with...I've offered for them to give them my email, too. Has anyone else ran into this problem? I've read posts about how one should be suspicious of schools reluctant to give emails....Am I just being paranoid and extra, unnecessarily analytical and suspicious of it all  Thanks!!! gretch |
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Post by George61 on Nov 21, 2005 3:06:49 GMT 7
Foreign teachers are strange cattle. I have never had a single reply from any foreign Teacher, regarding their school.
Most are too bloody lazy, I suspect!...........................and paranoid!
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Non-Dave
Barfly
Try Not! Do - or Do Not... There Is No Try!
Posts: 701
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Post by Non-Dave on Nov 21, 2005 6:11:38 GMT 7
Ditto what George said. I tried in vain to contact a foreign teacher from my school when I was researching - and zip. I now try to reply to the enquiries I get out of plain old good manners.
I'd put the schools who won't give you an e-mail contact at the bottom of the list, and the one's where you get no reply only slightly higher. Keep hounding your contact at the school to make sure you get a reply...
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Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly 
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on Nov 21, 2005 7:29:17 GMT 7
My recruiter, who is also a school owner, didn't give me the personal email of a FT, but rather let me ask my questions to the school email and she (the FT) answered them that way. I was suspicious at first, but also understood the reluctance to give a personal email to a total stranger. Seems roundabout, but it did work.
Oh, the written English in the replies was far superior to the recruiter's and the answers, including Canadian brand names, reassured me that I wasn't being answered by a Chinese guy trying to get me over here no matter what.
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Post by con's fly is open on Nov 21, 2005 19:33:11 GMT 7
Good point, Ruth: Chinese can't impersonate Westerners successfully. Especially if you ask unexpected questions.
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nolefan
Barfly
Quod me nutrit, me destruit!
Posts: 686
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Post by nolefan on Nov 21, 2005 20:55:49 GMT 7
i know of some westerners that can make Chinese look like they're Hemingway in comparison. I know of a particular company that has an ex-teacher answering their emails and even my freshmen do a better job spelling than him. A lot of prospective applicants think he is a Chinese that lived overseas until they meet him....
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Post by gretch on Nov 22, 2005 2:14:05 GMT 7
Good to hear everyone! Well not so good that other FT are not helpful, unlike all the wonderful folk here at the saloon!  I do try to ask questions that a Chinese person wouldn't be able to "get"....I feel like I'm training for espionage.  Gret |
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Post by Lotus Eater on Nov 23, 2005 12:55:14 GMT 7
Sometimes if you do have answers from a foreign FT - they are also being paid to recruit, so you can still end up being burned. Finding other people who have been there helps - but I know that is not always possible. Sorry - sometimes you have to take pot-luck.  |
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Post by hankuh on Nov 23, 2005 14:32:14 GMT 7
hmmmmmm or in my case, being intimidated. I think it's also best to remember that if they do give you a FT's email address, the FT may have something on the line that requires he or she to give a good review, and also, sometimes prospects may contact the FAO and tell him or her that the FT gave a less than flattering view of their school, which could get the FT is hotwater until he or she bails out.
There are a lot of factors to consider.
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Post by con's fly is open on Nov 23, 2005 19:13:53 GMT 7
And bear in mind: there's no way to eliminate all the variables. TIFC, and things just don't run smoothly. To come here in the first place, you have to accept a little chaos. Okay, a lotta chaos. Part of the adventure.
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nolefan
Barfly
Quod me nutrit, me destruit!
Posts: 686
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Post by nolefan on Nov 23, 2005 19:33:31 GMT 7
like Con said, there are just too many variables.
Sometimes, it's not just the school, it's the person. My wife and I have been teaching at the same school for the past year and a half with totally different experiences. I'm happy as a pig in poo and she can't wait for it the be over. The big difference is that we work in different departments at the university and her dean is a freaking c*nt. I, on the other hand, have not seen anyone from my department for over a month.
I think that a celar sign of a good school is how long they've had teachers and how many extended their contract at once or more. I know that's what sold me on my uni. The recruiter i used ( who i know work with) specifically told me not to sign any contract until i got to see the place and had everything settled down and that helped. I figured i had nothing to lose by checking it out and hoping on a train back to his office if things were not as expected.
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Post by Lotus Eater on Nov 24, 2005 23:05:45 GMT 7
I haven't been used/used a recruiter, so haven't actually had experiences with the creatures. I have basically applied to where I wanted to go and then chose which one seemed to offer the best deal. I did have a Chinese friend who also gave advice especially re distances from town and local amenities which helped the first time round. Second time I went to see the university first and it is no further out than the 1st one, so I was happy with location. Accommodation and other things were better. So it was easy. Both times I have been very lucky. But I have heard of FT's who recruit and tell clear untruths about the accommodation, class sizes etc. What do they think will happen to their credibility when the new FT arrives and finds that what is said is so far from reality?? Does the $ add up for that loss? Must do.  |
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Post by Jollyjunklass on Nov 25, 2005 5:14:19 GMT 7
Well I have to go against the grain here, I have gotten responses from every foreign teacher I contacted. I would not consider a school unless I got a response.
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Post by Jollyjunklass on Nov 25, 2005 5:20:42 GMT 7
One other thing Gretch, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Instinct should let you know if the person is bullpooting or not. Read between the lines. There is a mentor's list and you can ask on other forums.
Try to contact more than one person and try to contact people who are no longer at the school. It could be going through foreign affairs because they want to see all the questions and all the answers, or like HA says, intimidation. If you search around enough you can find past employees. It is easier than it seems. Seek and ye shall find:)
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Post by con's fly is open on Nov 25, 2005 18:55:24 GMT 7
What Jolly said.
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