sitka wrote:
> I had a really a positive experience and will vouch that the admin in
> Dalian and Shanghai and Tianjin are all good people.

I'll second this point about the administration, but good people does not mean you're in a good school. I would say Maple Leaf is top third tier, or low low second tier at best, even at Wuhan.

The administration is great at Wuhan too, though there have been some problems with teachers being bullied by other teachers at my school. A lot of work is also delegated to the teachers by administration at my school, which is probably normal, but I think its the company trying to reach out for stronger tier status.

Another thing to note is the company is expanding (too) rapidly. The school has a new campus sprouting up in Pingshan China, and xinxian. My claims have nothing to do with hating on the people, it has to do with giving a Chinese education in a Canadian accredited school. The school recently went publicly traded, and often there are important Chinese businessmen in suites visiting the campus, probably investors. the company is very much ran like a business, and it attracts customers by achieving passing averages in English, and even higher marks in math than back home.

Take the job if there is nothing else.

its a Chinese school, with Chinese students, Chinese and Canadian Admin, but the Chinese side has the final say, which means you're giving students a Chinese education, but still hitting BC PLO"s. I would say Maple Leaf is a boarding school, not an international school.

Teachers beware, I say.

Take Maple Leaf if you have no other option. Its not the worst school, but its not very good either.

I don't think all tier 2 schools would be the best. My high school is tier two, but I don't know if you'd want your daughter in a school where she was the only one who spoke native English.

My school is about 25% too. Though admin says its normal. I don't believe them! ha

I work at the Wuhan campus. The school is very much ran like a business. Which city are you headed to in China? Wuhan is pretty terrible to be honest, kind of a dump.

Are you talking about the harassment articles about Tianjin, and the blog about Maple Leaf? I believe it was coined: The Truth about maple Leaf? I haven't been harassed at Maple Leaf, but there are some bullies who like to pick on new teachers at the school. I don't think a lot of people renew their contracts, because most of them miss home.

Let me know if you have any specific questions; its a little difficult to give a general review about the school.

I'm happy to help!