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Q: Anyone know anything about First-Leap training center? Are they a good training center ?
Hi all. I've been offered a teaching position with first leap trainer school in Nanjing, but before I sign the contract i was hoping someone could give me any advice/info on the company. So, if anyone could give me any feedback on their experience with first leap or if they know anyone who has worked for them, It would be much appreciated.
Also, anyone have any advice on moving to Nanjing? Is it a good city for expats? Nightlife? Ladies? Cost of living?
Any comments will be much appreciated, Thanks.
I don't know anything about First Leap, but I just moved from Nanjing after spending a year living there.
There are LOTS of expats, and a fair number of English speaking Chinese.
Nightlife... The bar district (1912) is ok, but a bit expensive and loud for my tastes (I prefer the quiet bars).
It is the provincial capital, so there are lots of beautiful women.
The cost of living is ok.
Nanjing has some of the hottest girls in China IMO, lots of expats and many places targeting them as customers but among those expats there are many not recommendable old fags.
Avoid talking about Japan over there.
icnif77:
I was attending New Oriental Summer Camp in Nan. repeatedly for 4 summers. Chinese manager told me, she was/is attending Japanese language course/studies at one of the Unis in the city. We openly discussed Japan, Japanese and Okinawa, my 'favorite' part of Japan.
I'm aware of the history, but she wouldn't ever stop talking about the Japs.
I worked for firstleap for a year in nanjing. First off firstleap is a horrible company to work for. The guy who is in charge of the "international teachers" Will lie to you about everything and anything. Second the company doesn't really care about you. There was some police raids to find people working illegally. well 2 teachers ended up in a chinese jail for about a week. Third they do not value hard work, if you give them an inch they will take a mile from ya. Now Nanjing is a good east meets west, plenty of other expats there. If i was you I would look around for a different company. Firstleap is a bunch of crooks who will screw you over. Just do a quick google search you will see some things about visa's and other scams they like to do.
Do not work for firstleap. I currently work there and they are trying to pay me 7000rmb for a month and a halfs work plus overtime. They will always pay you "next month" or make up bullshit excuses to why they wont pay you what you are owed...or give you a visa. They take the piss out of you. Don't do it. I have had enough and am on my way back home, out of pocket mostly. Even though I put in all these extra hours, dealing with psychotic horrible children and co workers. And for what? Nothing.
Do not work for firstleap. I currently work there and they are trying to pay me 7000rmb for a month and a halfs work plus overtime. They will always pay you "next month" or make up bullshit excuses to why they wont pay you what you are owed...or give you a visa. They take the piss out of you. Don't do it. I have had enough and am on my way back home, out of pocket mostly. Even though I put in all these extra hours, dealing with psychotic horrible children and co workers. And for what? Nothing.
Never worked for Firstleap, but from what it sounds like, I don't really want to. For the most part, training centers like Firstleap are hit or miss, depending on the center, and the owner.
As far as moving to Nanjing... not a bad place to live in general. It's not as big for expats are, say, Shanghai, but that can be a plus, in that it's not such a big city. It's rather crowded downtown, but outside the city center, it's not so bad. Like Spider mentioned, 1912 is good, but noisy. If you like quieter bars/pubs, there are plenty. Nanjing actually has many places, so you can find one that matches your preferences. You'll find several places to pick up imported food too, if you're missing stuff from back home.
There are a fair amount of expats, and if you get tired of bars, there are plenty of other places to hang out and things to do (it's cold enough in winter to make outdoor activities less pleasant, but when it warms up, there is a lot to do).
As far as the ladies... well, there are many, and often from all over China, so you're more likely to find someone who matches your personality and preferences, and vice versa.
Cost of living is pretty nice too. Expensive in the city center for rent, but it gets much better as soon as you look elsewhere. Food and transportation are both relatively cheap.
Best thing to do is to look for a better job. Yeah, there are plenty of expats here, and many are teachers, but there are also enough schools setting up all the time that you'll have a relatively easy time looking for work, and can always find a better deal if you have the qualifications.
