Job Discussion Forums

[davoosh]

Hello,

I have had some contact with these two schools/training centres and was wondering if anyone has had any experiences (good or bad) they know of or would like to share. I have read both good and bad things about EF and it seems to depend a lot on the location. Does anybody have any comments on the Dalian branche(s)?

I've also read NDI expects more out of teachers than the contracts states, but the rest doesn't seem too bad. Both places seem reasonably well organised from what I can tell from my correspondence with them (at least regarding hiring, sorting proper visas and lists of documentation, etc.).

Many thanks.

[cedarstreetcowboy]

Unless you're brand new to the game, I'd give EF a big miss.

The pay to hours ratio is nothing to scream about and they love occupying your time with mindless busy-work.

In my personal experience the Western management personnel were insufferable. Don't be fooled by the recruitment staff. In all likelihood they don't work at the site you'll be working at and they will paint a very rosy picture of their company. Once you get there it will be a whole different ball game.

[vikeologist]

With EF they do have a central recruitment centre, and yes, to a certain extent anything they say can be taken with a pinch of salt, although it is part of their job to ensure that you will be a suitable teacher.

But not all EFs use the central recruitment. Some , if not most, are franchises, and do their own recruitment. Also each EF is different.

I'm not denying that there are general problems with all EFs, including the pay per hour and that kind of stuff, but I think the good EFs can be a good choice for some teachers.

You don't say whether your opinion of Ef is based on the mill nationally, or specifically on EF Dalian. Unfortunately, though my first job in China was with an EF, and I live in Dalian, I have absolutely no knowledge of EF Dalian. I'd be surprised if there was only 1 EF in the city, and if there is, someone should open up another 2 or 3 franchises. They are cash cows.

[3701 W.119th]

If it's a centrally-run (from Shanghai) EF, then it's a very good choice for your first year in China.

I think Dalian is a franchise centre though, so it's hit-or-miss. Might be good, might not. Depends on the management really. Your best bet is to speak to more than one teacher who currently works there.

Getting opinions from anonymous internet folk is pretty pointless. I've had great jobs, working under great conditions, with people who constantly moan about stupid stuff. Those are the kind of people who tend to frequent internet boards like this.

Best of luck to you.

[Sydney2002]

An interesting thread here…

It's been ages since I've worked in China, but I too got my start with EF. We were in Hangzhou and I believe were under the central office in Shanghai. The school I worked for was well run and I was told that it often served as a model for other EF franchises opening in other cities around the province.

I visited the Shanghai main office once and was very impressed with the handful of expat administrators I got to meet, as well as the Chinese staff/administration. I guess overall, I left EF with a mostly positive taste in my mouth. I do remember coming home and reading some horror stories from other franchises though that were very difficult for me to swallow. Over ten years later, I think I finally understand…

I most likely would not go back to work for EF in China, or even in the U.S. now, even if I were offered a supervisor position.