World Youth Academy, Beijing

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Crespo
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:23 am

World Youth Academy, Beijing

Post by Crespo »

Does anyone know anything about this school? Also heavily advertising in the TES?
ptf
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:49 pm

World Youth Academy

Post by ptf »

This opinion consists entirely of general feeling and half heard gossip so don't take it too seriously especially if someone else replies with cold hard facts!

World Youth Academy is a legitimate school (in China it is important to know that - everything is not always as it seems). I met someone who had worked there and they didn't have any complaints about the basics (ie you actually get paid...once again not always true here. But I don't think it is a particularly good school. Certainly not one of the main international schools here. I've never been to the school but they share it with a hotel so I'm not sure how that works.

Do you want to work in Beijing? What do you teach?
Crespo
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:23 am

World Youth Academy

Post by Crespo »

Thanks for the info on the school- its the only info I've heard so far!

I teach IB Philosophy and TOK (already do this in the UK) but am very much looking to move to Beijing. My wife teaches Psychology- this school offers teaching posts for both so we're interested!

Any info that you can give us about any of the Beijing schools would be welcomed...
ptf
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:49 pm

well

Post by ptf »

I'm not sure how hard teaching jobs are to come across in those areas. I know my school doesn't offer psychology or philosophy.

There are lots of international schools in Beijing much better than world youth academy. Just to throw a few out.

International School of Beijing
Western Academy of Beijing
Yew Chung International School
Beijing City International School
British School

Are all good schools to work at. But I have no idea which ones even offer your subjects (except the 3rd one, that's where I am and we don't)

To be honest as long as World Youth Academy's package is ok you could always use it as a way to get here if you really want to be in bj and then serve your time and try to upgrade to other schools once your contract was done. I came to China nearly 5 years ago on a dodgy joint venture job (teaching) and after my first contract quit and got a job where I am now. I didn't particularly enjoy my first 9 months (that's how long the contract was) workwise but it was well worth it as a way to get here.
Crespo
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:23 am

Beijing Schools

Post by Crespo »

Thanks for the advice- I think you're probably right. Psychology/Philosophy are awkward ones to get jobs in....if the Youth Academy wants both I think we'll apply. It will get us over there- and hopefully we can then move on to a better school later...

The only other school thats really shown interest is the Emirates National School in Abu Dhabi- which sounds like a really bad school. It's simply difficult to get jobs in those subject areas.
ptf
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:49 pm

Post by ptf »

I think I would definitely take world youth academy over your other option. And with Beijing flat out getting itself ready for the olympics now would be a good time to come.

By the way the location of world youth academy is good. you would be living in a fairly central area. quite a few of the other good international schools are a long way out of the city (which means they have space for better facilities) which means staff either have to live outside the city as well or face a longish commute each day.

Good luck with your applications.
Crespo
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:23 am

Beijing Schools

Post by Crespo »

Thanks PTF- I have some hope that it is a reasonably good school- as far as I can tell there are some REALLY bad schools out there.
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