First of all, I came in Kunming by his promise of providing me a room which wasn't available on my arrival...I had to find a hotel by myself cause he simply couldn't find one (after 24 hrs flight this is how Kcel introduced to me). The environment IS filthy, considering that I had my first class just next to the bathroom and the urine smell was stronger than his authorithy. I paid for my Pre-student visa so I don't actually see where they had to spend their money on. It seems more that you guyz are trying to protect him, probably cause you work there, I don't know. I just know that what happened to me was unbelievable, I'm angry and I don't want someone else to be stuck in the same position I was. That's all!
kcel a profit making school, duh! the purpose of any business is make a profit.
When I first came here (8 years ago), I had arranged everything through e-mails. I paid for 6 months at Keats and it was the best experience I have ever had. I knew nothing of what to expect really. I got picked up from the airport. My room had a western toilet and shower. The class was held on another floor. The owner and her daughter was so helpful. It's kind of scary to be in a strange land with a not so easy language to communicate. All school are for profit that's true but some schools really don't give a damn about their students. I was very lucky to have picked Keats since I didn't know anything about the school other then what was advertised.
I've studied at KCEL and had no particular complaints, altho I studied at Keats later and thought it was a little more conscientious about teaching etc. Since I live here I had no need to deal with school-provided housing etc. KCEL was not dirty when I studied there (last time about 2010).
KCEL is not filthy and there are no classrooms next to the bathroom. They can't give you a hard time, when you want to study at the university or in another city. But if you want to just transfer from KCEL to another private school in Kunming - good luck!
Went to KCEL (Dong Feng) the other day. What impressed me most was the very big poster on the wall that had the PSB regulations in both Chinese and English warning students that they can NOT work with a student visa. I think this is very important and all students should be aware of this as soon as they begin classes.
Side note: I think GK staff should regulate (control) all advertisements on GK (classifieds) when it comes to English schools seeking english teachers. As a requirement to put an ad here, the school should provide GK with the authority granted to them by PSB to hire foreigners.
I see many ads for english teachers here and some very clearly state they they can give you a working visa while others do not or are seeking part time work which will certainly not be able to provide a working visa.
The institutions that can not provide a visa are clearly advertising to hire illegal workers.
While all employers in China need a government permission to hire foreigners (for both full-time and part-time work), the requirements on employee side are softening for students as we speak.
For example in some first tier cities, foreign university students can now take part-time employment on student visa (or related RP), provided that their university backs it and co-operates with PSB to get the permission. Thus they don't need work visa for part-time employment.
I have no idea if/when this policy will catch up in Kunming.
Isn't every school essentially a business and out to make a profit? Seems to be normal in China.
@ goldie: I don't think so, but the privately-run ones obviously are.
