Job Discussion Forums

[waxwing]

Yes, it's true, EF is impressive, in the same way that McDonalds is impressive compared to a 5-star french restaurant.

You have to hand it those Scandinavians. They certainly know how to make money from absolutely nothing.

By the way, I also find the idea that EF is closing down in China pretty hilarious. Even here in Russia, where the market conditions are not exactly conducive, they're only growing.

[mike w]

I'm not impressed!
I have come across several EF and ex-EF students here in Beijing. Some had been studying with EF for more than a year, and I can only describe their English level as pathetic.
In fact one student, who had been studying at EF for just over a year, took a grading exam at my college, and we placed him in a class that had been running for less than four months.
My girlfriend studied with a provincial EF school during the SARS epidemic in Beijing while the cities schools and colleges were closed. When she came back, her English level was worse than when she went.
It seems like they charge the students the absolute maximum, and deliver the absolute minimum.
If you are impressed by that ............. need I say more?

[Norman Bethune]

[Mister Al]

Norman, Norman, Norman

I'm not a recruiter and not a liar, my friend and definitely not apologising for anything. Not even working for E1. Just relating my own experience. Sounds like you had a bad time with EF yourself. Oh well, sh*t happens, eh? Maybe you are one of the t***ers I fired for being just that.

Q: What's a "shill" and what's a "Bs'er"?
Got me there Mr. Methane sorry Bethune

And by the way, I'm not Alex Chevrolle!

[senor boogie woogie]

Hola!

EF Hangzhou is advertising for people now to work in August or September. There in the Job board on this website if you are interested in looking.

The ad stated 5,000 RMB but did not state the number of hours. I have read previous ads that stated 40 hours in the office with 25 hours teaching for 5,000 RMB. They offer a "shared" apartment. They also require their male teachers to wear a tie which in China is total BS and unnecessary. The ad did stste that "prospective teachers should be prepared to work hard in a professional teaching environment. My ]Chinese is poor but I interpret b u l l s h i t very well. The true meaning is that "prospective teachers should be prepared to be in the office 40 hours per week, all day Saturday and Sunday, teaching English to brats, and bored overworked corporate types, and doing so with the uncomfortable apendage of neckwear." No thanks.

Saturdays at Shane's really sucked, it was one class, after another, after another, after another. Went in the morning and did not taste freedom until 9 PM. If I wanted to work that hard, I would of stayed in the USA making more money. I doubt EF is better.

I have a friend who worked in EF Hangzhou, finished his contract and now works for this illegal "cowboy" school. Unlike myself, he is a very competant instructor with a TEFL (maybe a CELTA, must ask). he works with us outlaws because he has creativity, can do what he likes, has students who want to learn and can wear shorts and a T shirt.

I do agree that EF's publishing is probably top notch, good enough for my EF friend to steal some of their books for ideas.

I've worked for private language schools such as Shane's English in China and a Wonderland in Korea. They require long hours, especially on the weekends, plus other office duties. They will require being there 40 plus hours per week. For 5,000 RMB? Get real! You can work 1/2 of those hours in a Uni and do whatever the hell you want to do. No DOS breathing down your neck, no ties, and either a housing allowance or a free private place on campus. I lost a decent college job, primarily because I was a real f--k up last year. I made about 7,000 a month working about 16 hours per week, in the morning, during the weekdays.

Lastly, a native English speaker who is a DOS is a stooge and a chump. Why? Because you help and assist these EF (or other school) owners into paying these crappy salaries, instead of being united with fellow teachers in the field who love China and desire more equitable salaries.

Just advice from field experience.

Senor

[TEAM_PAPUA]

I work for an EF franchise here in China. Why? Because I followed my friend who I previously worked with in Indonesia. For me it was the easy option & I followed it. My school has no real dress restrictions - jeans & polo shirt are ok, no office hours, no admin etc. (because it's a new school & the DOS is from Thailand!) we teach & go home, plain & simple. However, as we are in the summer intensive, the business practices of the school are awful - long term students are having their classes postponed in order to bring in huge intensive short term classes:

substituting 10 'pay themselves' adults for 20 'I don't want to be here' teenagers - the former have already told me that they won't come back due to this - short term profit making. I couldn't really care less as it doesn't affect me & I won't work for these clowns again.

although things are ok here for me (for now) I have heard real horror stories regarding EF CHINA - I have been lucky, but I would strongly advise against working for this company here in China & everywhere else you see the big blue & white sign.



T_P