Job Discussion Forums

seamonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 29

Hi, i have an interview with English First on saturday, but i might not bother going to it after all the negative stuff ive read about them on this forum.
Can anyone recommend any better companies to apply too or offer any advice?

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

Best of luck to you.

For what it's worth, I think some EF schools are actually good but now that I'm a bit more experienced, I would honestly suggest avoiding those big franchises unless you know someone well on the inside and can get excellent references on the school. ..

I

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 2:35 pm Post subject:

Go ahead and do the interview--this is your chance to find out what you want to know about them, especially if it's for a particular school. I'd say ask for some email addresses from current or past teachers at the school in question. If EF won't give you this info, it's a red flag.

As many people here know, I had a very positive experience working for EF, Shijiazhuang.

ChinaLady · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:16 am Post subject: English First

I do not work for EF. I know people who do and I have done a bit of socializing with them. this is the Guangzhou school, I speak of.
the people who work there are really ok. and assortment of ages and nationalities. the woman in charge, Lucy, is ok. she is Chinese but has traveled and is a good sort. the guys under her are from NZ and a Chinese guy for the business training classes.
they pay on time. classes are set up with thought to time off and your ability, flats are near by.
yes, if this interview is in Guangzhou, do the interview.

goose · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 32

DO NOT GO TO ANY INTERVIEW WITH EF. FOR YOUR SANITY DON'T DO IT.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

cubit · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 117 Location: Changchun

EF is a franchise. The are some good EF locations and some bad ones.

In addition to Chinalady, I have also heard good things about EF in Guangzhou. Nice teachers, too.

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

Cubit, good point above on that "good ones and bad ones".

OP, what a thread you've created here before your EF interview that was three days later? Did you actually expect to get sufficient feedback in such a short time? Now, no sign of you on anymore. Have you got that job? How was your interview? Where was that school and who interviewed you? Can you come back no and share your experiences with us?

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I think it would make interesting reading if posters who go on "interviews" share their interview experiences with other forum members. It seems like most interviews I've had whilst in China, I end up asking most of the questions. How is it determined if someone is truly right for a job (save the fact they havea white face and come from an English-speaking country)?

cubit · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 117 Location: Changchun

Good point. My phone interview for my current position:

Me: Hello, this is cubit.

Her: Hi, it's Ice Cream. (not really her name, but I recently met a girl named Ice Cream and wanted to share Smile

)

Me: Oh good. I was looking foward to your call.

Her: *silence*

Me: Uh, did you have any questions you'd like to start with?

Her: No, not really.

Me: Uh...

Her: Do you?

Me: Well, yes... lots actually.

I then proceeded to interview her to see if I would accept the position.

seamonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 29

I had my EF interview yesterday. It was easier than i thought. I just answered a few questions about things i'd done on the CELTA course and how i'd deal with culture shock etc. It was all quite a laid back affair, and in the end we ended up talking about what a good job Rafa Benitez is doing at liverpool this season.
The interview guy said that he would recommend me to some schools in Northern China, he said that i would prefer Northern China because the summers aren't as roasting hot. I dont think i could handle a Shanghai summer.

seamonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 29

Could anybody recommend any good EF schools in North China?

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

Why didn't you ask for any recommandations your "Shanghaier"? After all that would be a first hand info, wouldn't it? There's their head office too. They know "well" what goes on around China.
Speaking of Shanghai, why did you go for that school when you "don't think you could handle a Shanghai summer"?