Job Discussion Forums

Tall Roar · Joined: 08 Nov 2013 Posts: 2 Location: Japan

Been teaching ESL in Japan for four years, which I LOVE, thinking of China for a year or two, been offered a job with EF in Shenzhen and have found a mixed bag of mostly dated comments online, mainly wariness of the specific DoS since their quality varies. More info, please, please, please, thanks!

YAMARI · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 247 Location: shanghai

If you are the type of person that would enjoy the structure of working at Mc Donalds then EF might be to your liking. Long days with lots of office hours is the norm there. They gave me the same students back to back for 4 hours. These were 1 hour classes with 15 minute breaks not the typical 40 minutes with 20 minutes in between. It was just my Sunday gig but I told them I needed a new format or field trips if I had to entertain the same students for 4 straight hours. Worst job I ever had.

Tall Roar · Joined: 08 Nov 2013 Posts: 2 Location: Japan

YAMARI · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 247 Location: shanghai

Life is much more free working at a place without office hours. Uni gig with privates would be better than English last. (EF).

snowboard · Joined: 13 Oct 2014 Posts: 24

Any other comments on EF Shenzhen? I got an offer there, sounds like it could be a good crash course first year intro to teaching ESL. Lots of hours but good experience, legit visa and paychecks. My contract would also start right with the ending of my current seasonal job. I've been an educator the last ten years but mostly outdoor rec, very little classroom.

I'm looking at a career change to teaching ESL. I dont have a tefl cert and am ready to jump in down the professional path next spring. I've read quite a bit on English First, but I was hoping to hear from someone with direct experience in Shenzhen, a PM would be great. Thanks

Markness · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 738 Location: Chengdu

I hear EF is only the way to go if you want to work with them part-time. Otherwise you're forced to do lots and lots of paperwork. How many teaching hours is the contract? Shenzhen is an expensive city compared to the others.

snowboard · Joined: 13 Oct 2014 Posts: 24

Yeah, I've looked into Shenzhen a bit and realize its one of the more expensive cities. The contract is for 13000rmb/month, I'm not an extravagant spender and don't drink.

The contract says:

jm21 · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 406

snowboard · Joined: 13 Oct 2014 Posts: 24

Housing is not included

jm21 · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 406

I was worried about my next job requiring too much work for the pay. Max 25 teaching hours, more pay than that, housing provided, 14 weeks paid vacation.

I feel better now. Thanks.

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

If you are past your first year in the ESL industry, don't work for a training center. You spend half your time teaching, and the other half doing paperwork convincing people that you actually are teaching.

Markness · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 738 Location: Chengdu

3701 W.119th · Joined: 26 Feb 2014 Posts: 386 Location: Central China

I work at an adult training centre (teaching c.25 lessons a week, in the office for 40 hours), but I don't ever have to do any paperwork.

What do you guys mean by 'paperwork'?

snowboard · Joined: 13 Oct 2014 Posts: 24

My job offer is now for teaching adults.

boomhauer20055 · Joined: 09 Feb 2012 Posts: 30

EF is a way to get into ESL in China. It is a crash course. Shenzen is also a wonderful city. That being said it;s a rough place to work. Long hours and last minute scheduling. Just do a search for EF and look at all the stories.

It may be worth it for a year to get into ESL. After that run as fast as you can to a better job. Anyone on here who tells you EF is great on here, is a DOS (Boss) at EF.
Good luck. China can be a great place. Sometimes we have to pay our dues our first year. I did. Everything has been great since my second year.