Job Discussion Forums

[brad_stephenssmith]

What can people tell me about the English First branch in Harbin? Most of the posts on the Job Info Journal seems to be positive, but some of the threads on this board have been less kind and range from 'avoid at all costs' to 'some of them are scams, but it varies from place to place'.

Does anybody know this location in particular? The reference we've been given is Darryl McHardy. Has anyone heard of him (assuming, of course, that none of you are him )

Can EF be characterized in general? From their website it looks like their curriculum is structured perhaps to the extent of limiting the creativity of the teachers. Does anyone have experience for or against that impression?

[tom selleck]

E.F. schools can vary greatly from one location to another. I would have gave mine a passable advisory to any prospective new teacher last year,
but this year...well....
The best thing to do is to maybe ask for the e-mail address of current teachers at the school you are thinking of working at. If they're not willing to write back, it generally doesn't bode well.
Basically at any E.F., you get worked to death in the summer and for two to three weeks in the winter. The rest of that time it's not that bad. Most of the complaints seem to stem from A.C.s who don't cut the mustard. If you have a capable A.C., then you've won half the battle. The problem is that E.F. has expanded so quickly, that some of the butts being put into the chairs are of questionable capability.
The course books are great, and you can insert your own material where you see fit.Hope this helps a little. I hear Harbin is an interesting place.

[katchoo]

Two questions:

~ What does AC stand for? Are they the immediate supervisor?

~ How is Harbin "interesting"?

~ What will the weather be like in Harbin from now until the end of July?

[beerdang]

Harbin locates far north in China. It is really really cold in winter......

If there ever is a Hockey team from China, that will be the town. They have a owesome "Ice Festival".
That should be fun to check out.

[tom selleck]

A.C. stands for academic counsellor. He/She is supposed to be the boss and the midway guy between management and the teachers. E.F. has now changed the job title to currently read: director of studies. The principal, if you like.
Harbin is also noted to be interesting because of the world famous Ice Festival, food that's supposed to be pretty good, and a unique Russian influence in the city. Russian arcitecture can be had, including a beatiful, funky, old church. Exactly the kind of thing you hardly ever see in China.
I've never been there, but I've seen photos and a local T.V. show here. Looks a little cleaner than some Chinese cities I've seen

[Roger]

I can't contribute anything on EF except that which has already been said. Personally, I like Harbin though I would add a qualifier: ...in summer.
Go there in winter, and you will suffer. Few houses are sufficiently insulated against the Siberian cold, with howling winds and temperatures plunging to minus 20! Heating is by coal. Snow is not white for any minute once it has settled on the ground!

While the architecture is inspired by Russia, the city as such is overrated as a tourist destination. If you fall foul of EF, there aren't many other employers that you could set your sights on.
A local university used to "invite" overseas people for lectures without pay. In exchange for 8 hours of daily grind, for up to three months, they would take you on a trip of several days in the country side or even to nearby Russian towns.

[Bertrand]

~ What does AC stand for?

""Academic" "Coordinator"" I think the scare quotes speak for themselves; some are not even native speakers, most don't have a degree or if they do it is in no way related to language or teaching (even the global academic operations manager does not have a first degree).

[Anne-Marie Gregory]

Hiya,

I've just moved out of Harbin, after being there for one semester. Although I'm not the best qualified person to provide the low-down on it, I can try. Mail me at [email protected] if you want any further info but.....

Harbin is way up north. This means that it's damn cold in winter. But, the city is geared up for this e.g. shops are warm. If your school and accomodation are reasonably well maintained (modern or properly centrally heated older buildings) then you'll have few problems with the cold. If not then invest in some heaters...providing your accom.'s electricity supply can support it and buy lots of wollen stuff. You can be warmer in Harbin than in much of the rest of the country if your place is well heated though e.g. nice warm classrooms. In summer Harbin is as hot as the rest of the country.

I don't know about EF Harbin but I do know that there are a few other places that have recruited for after the Spring Festival, and a couple that will recruit later in the year.

Harbin has a reasonably large foreign population for a city off the east coast belt. By far the highest concentration of foreign teachers is at Harbin Star Foreign Language College (over 20). There are also foreign teacher at some of the unis and some schools.

The Russian influence means that bread, sausages and dairy products are readily available. It's quite clean and modernish..the modern architecture isn't too bad...there's no nasty white tiling for example. I agree with what's been said about Harbin as a tourist destination...vaguely interesting as a backdrop to your shopping though!


AM

[sheridan]

Darryl is a "ridgy didge Aussie bloke". You can be sure that whatever you ask him, you'll get the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the bloody truth! Go ahead and contact him. You can only benefit from the contact.

If you get to EF in Harbin, buy Darryl a beer and he'll keep you entertained for hours.

A word of warning - DON"T, I repeat, DON"T take him to the local Siberian Tiger Reserve. He'd probably try to catch one - barehanded!