Job Discussion Forums

Austeach2010 · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 56

On other forums, I have read many disturbing reports about EF China. Can anyone please advise me if they are the real deal or just another franchise looking to exploit English teachers in a foreign land.
I have had a job offer from EF Dongguan, conditions seem good but the hours and details in the job description are quite intense.

Thanks Question

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

I've had one communication with EF and was told that they didn't cover visa fees; I don't know if it was for that specific position or if it was SOP. I was a little taken aback, that seems to be a selling point for every other position I've ever seen.

Austeach2010 · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 56

Thanks. I agree with you. This link may be removed but I came across it and found it of interest, the topic not the forum site Very Happy

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/forum/index.pl?read=6750

mnguy29 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 155 Location: USA

Well, do you want to work all the time with little time for anything else? EF would be perfect for you! All for very low pay? I recently looked at EF in China too. After looking at the contract I replied with a resounding NEVER! They want you to work up to 27 classes a week, and in the busy months work 6 days a week. This could be for 5 months a year! Also, I think you have to sign a year contract for apartment and come up with the deposit and agent fee and advanced rent payment all up front. These private English training schools have one objective, to make money and thats it. Steer away from them!!

Austeach2010 · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 56

My answer to them was NO WAY! I just wanted to spread the word and see what reaction other people had to their demands.

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

Austeach2010 · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 56

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

Austeach2010 · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 56

Obviously

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Individual EF's are all different. Some good, some bad.

landt · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 13 Location: China

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

If someone wants to now about an EF school, they really have to ask about that individual school, and even be aware that the standard of branches can vary significantly even within a city.

I work for EF, and just about everything on the national website should be taken with a pinch of salt. However, my EF school is actually ok; not perfect, but all the FTs are quite happy. None of us want to leave.

Well actually I do a bit, but that may be because all the carping about EF on this forum is starting to make me believe that everyone else is in on the secret location of greener grass, and once I get a job with a Uni I will have discovered Kublai Khan's employment pleasure dome. In reality, in a year's time, I'll probably be moistening up with nostalgia at the memory of the good old days at EF.

I've no doubt that some EF schools are awful, and even if you find a good school, there's no guarantee that it won't become a bad school within the year of your contract. (Actually there's probably a fairly high chance). There are many good things about my school, but I don't think any of them are directly attributable to it being an EF school.

Menino80 · Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 73

I just had an interview with them and was perusing their website. I'm going to gun hard for Shanghai/Beijing/Guangzhou/Shenzhen, not sure how feasible this is though. I have two years experience and a degree in ESL though. What is the salary range here? I'm expecting somewhere around 10k/mo, 9 would be the absolute minimum, seeing as the hours are so long and on the weekends.

ignace · Joined: 10 Dec 2009 Posts: 8

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the quality of EF schools in Shanghai?

YankeeDoodleDandy · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:55 pm Post subject:

Englishgibson Where are you ?