Job Discussion Forums

Hackney · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 1

I've been offered a job at this school. Everytime I read the different ESL forums there seems to be a lot of debate about the EF franchise.

Anyone know anything about this particular EF school?

Thanks.

DistantRelative · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 367 Location: Shaanxi/Xian

As far as EF schools go in comparing what I have read IMO this is probably one of the better franchises. That being said I recently spoke with an acquaintance of mine who was working there and got screwed when enrollment dropped. He was the last teacher hired on and ended up in an odd-man-out scenario. From what I could gather the way they managed to break his contract included a bunch of finger pointing. They initially extended his probation and then claimed his teaching wasn't up to snuff and canned him. Read into that what you will but I think it's pretty friggin low. I absolutely would not trust the foreign liason (Names Michael) there. From personal experiece I know he'll look you straight in the eye and lie to you and then difer to the foreign DOS when you call him on it. You'll most likely be dealing with Stuart initially and he's ok. The shared apartments I've seen that they offer are IMO just so so.
As far as I know the pays always been ontime and the bulk of the teachers I've met that work there seem happy enough. Hope this helps.

Zhuhao

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

Is that Michael's last name ..... Gravy or Gravey or something like that?

Cheers and beers

DistantRelative · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 367 Location: Shaanxi/Xian

I didn't catch his last name. All I know is he's like the Liason between the foreign owner and the DOS's at the 2 schools in Xi'an. They don't break wind without runnin it by him first. He's definately a piece of work.

I never posted anything about the schools before because as I said most of the teachers seemed satisfied enough there and in comparison to some of the franchises in other cities didn't exhibit near the problems. But when the OP asked for specifics I felt obligated to relate my experience with them.

Zhuhao

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

I see

Cheers and beers

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

I worked for an EF franchise briefly and liked it but I did read a warning on English School Watch about EF Xi'an. (I'll look for the link and get back to you!)
The DOS apparantly recruited more teachers than they had need for and has terminated them with maybe a days notice and no assistance in any way. They were out just like that. No housing, no severance and no means of getting home.

I think someone once told me that EF Xi'an has two schools though. Seriously check into this before going over. If the school is unwilling to provide you with references, maybe you should be suspicious.

DistantRelative · Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 367 Location: Shaanxi/Xian

You are right Noelle in that Xi'an does have 2 schools. Both owned by the same individual or conglomerate. Stuart is the DOS at one and the initial contact person at both. It would be great if you found the link. Beings I live in Xi'an I'd be real interested in reading it.

Zhuhao

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

You can do a google search with keywoards English School Watch.
I will post the link as soon as I revisit the site!

casson · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 6

I'm looking at a summer post in Shanghai with a school that may be this EF school...I'm writing with a guy named Stuart Owens. Is this the guy you're talking about? I like the sound of the job, but only $800 towards airfare for 4 weeks work sounds a bit sketchy.

Anyway, sounds like these EF schools aren't getting too bad a review....

thanks.

The Noodles · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 202 Location: China, Chengdu

Yes Michael Gravy for some reason that rings a bell?

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

noodles - I see in another thread in japan forums, you write about doing 40hrs/week for only 6000/month for EF Chengdu - that sounds pretty nasty - has this Gravy guy something to do with this???????

The Noodles · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 202 Location: China, Chengdu

actually that's pretty much the standard contract... or at least was. But to be fair only taught a maximum of 20hrs. The rest of the time was for prep or admin etc. Realistically i was only there for maybe 35hrs a week.

It wasn't so bad. As a first time teacher, i got a lot of good feedback and what not.

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

35 hours....sounds a dream job Laughing

By the way was that 20periods or real hours you taught????

The Noodles · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 202 Location: China, Chengdu

yes 20 real hours. but you'd rarely have to teach that much. each class would last 2hrs with a 15 minute break in the middle.

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

Hey bud, that's 2 hours AND 15 minutes with a 15 minute break included, isn't it? EF's got their 40 minutes per academic hour and three academic hours make it 2 real ones. That 15 minutes is your own thing. It'd be rather peculiar to teach that 2 hours with 15 minutes break inclusive, although you never know about those EF standards. They have them written (although as vague as they can), but around China in those 60 EF centers .... non of them is probably "the same kind" except their furniture and logo.

There are many schools/centers to teach English in China. There are many positions available. Don't get fooled by those EF fools that have set up the EF "franchised" system in China!

Cheers and beers Very Happy