Job Discussion Forums

[SF21]

How do you like working for English First in China?

Are they reputable and hire qualified candidates...or do they let the run-of-the-mill backpacker in the door?

Can teachers use any creativity or is solely using the EF coursebook mandatory?

Add on..

Thx.

[vikuk]

For whatever reason, teachers in EF have a confidentiality agreement written into their contracts - they are not supposed to discuss in public anything to do with the EF curricula.
Of course on Dave's one comes into the forums with a level of anonymity - but never the less it's quite surprising - regardless the fact that EF is China's biggest FT employer - that very few current EF FT's ever come forward to discuss the operation of this franchise.
Those that often come forward are DOS's who may have a hand in recruiting!!!!

[Super Frank]

Probably due to the amount of slagging EF gets on this website.

They do hire quite indiscriminately, franchises can get round local rules so if they are desperate some centres may take anyone on regardless of proper paperwork. Unless you are in country and able to be interviewed in person it is a lottery for both teachers and centre alike.

They do have a flexible curricula though and creativity in class is encouraged

[malu]

I worked in Indonesia for a few years. Over there EF is very much the entry level bit of the market and the Indo forum here on Dave's is littered with EF threads, none of which are complimentary. As far as I know, there is no specific confidentiality clause in EF Indo contracts.

I must admit that I assumed the relatively small amount of EF bashing on the China forums meant that EF China was a better organisation than EF Indo. Has anyone worked in both?

[englishgibson]

i've worked with a few of such FTs in this lovely organization designed after macdonalds...by the way, they were backpackers although a couple of those FTs came in a middle age crisis looking for a place to live

[senorfay]

I work as a lowly teacher at EF. I've been with them for only a few months, but I negotiated a special contract with them that allows me to have normal (public school/university) holidays and make a living wage (6400 RMB). The hours are a bit much (31 40 minute classes/ week) but it could be worse.

If you don't negotiate every little point on your contract and ask for clarification when the EF jargon gets to be a bit much, you can be screwed. If you are on the ball, show up to class on time, don't get sick, etc, you'll be alright.

There are horror stories to be heard. A month ago a colleague of mine fell off a chair while hanging Christmas decorations in his classroom. He hurt his back while doing that. The next day or two days later in a company van, a fat, rather dull-witted teacher assistant used the same back to brace himself when the van lurched after being cut off in traffic.

The TA dislocated the FT's spine. The FT went to the hospital. The doctor told him he'd have to lay in bed for a month. He told EF that he would need 2.5 weeks. EF gave him one week and absolutely no compensation, no help getting to/from the hospital, not even an apology.

It turns out the big bossman was going to fire the FT for getting hurt on the job, but several influencial employees told the bossman that it would be a very bad idea if he canned the FT because a lot of people would quit.

This particular FT had been with this same EF franchise for three years.

EF is a factory for better or for worse. I set myself up with a pretty kooshy job there that doesn't require much of my time or brainpower. I recieve an average wage. I work five days a week from about 8 am to 3 or 4 in the afternoon.

If you have a DOS who is willing to negotiate, you shouldn't worry about EF. Just don't let them trick you into doing the 'intensives'. You don't have to do that cr*p.

I get to use my own ideas and materials in my classrooms. The EF materials are there if I want them, but I teach all off-site classesin primary schools and high schools.

-TOM

[vikuk]

[senorfay]

I asked to be farmed out because the classroom teachers often have days that start at 8am and end at 8pm. I didn't want that. I also didn't want to work weekends. Being farmed out guaranteed I wouldn't have to deal with that.

I negotiated to be compensated for travel time, etc...

My particular EF does have good guanxi in this city so I'm not worried.

Different strokes for different folks. I ended up at an EF because my visa was going to expire within two weeks and I wanted it extended without having to deal with the PSB, pay fines, or get deported. It all worked out for me just fine.

[vikuk]

[Shan-Shan]

[englishgibson]

interestingly, some threads are difficult to access here in china (off topic), but this one will always be on

[drakis]