Job Discussion Forums

nmalvarez86 · Joined: 19 Aug 2011 Posts: 3

Has anyone gone through this organization for employment or certification that can share some insight on whether it is as good as it sounds?

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

10k a month for 24 hours a week of teaching 4-6 year olds for 12-15 months straight. 20 hour weekends. Nice housing allowance though.

To each their own but I would not go anywhere near this.

Also, I know the search tool on this site can be wonky sometimes but try it. There have been many threads about Disney English.

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

Some people prefer this kind of role, which is far closer to children's entertainer than teacher.

If you have the personality for it, that sounds like a pretty cool schedule - heavy weekends allow for a leisurely week.

If you don't have the personality for it though,
being pressured to be more of a clown and more of a goof so the kids can get their kicks.. I imagine that could get pretty demeaning pretty quickly.

nmalvarez86 · Joined: 19 Aug 2011 Posts: 3

the search tool has not been working for me so i had to just make my own thread. thank you for the input!

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I agree with the other poster. Be prepared to be a goof.
BUT these guys have a good business plan and the $$ to see it thru.
They seem to be concentrating on a smallish geographical area and if they roll out across China at that density, they obviously feel it's a goer.
Somewhere there is a comment that Disney see the ESL schools as a loss leader to prime young Chinese to be ongoing markets for their brand and characters.
So getting in early could get you into management fairly quickly if you see ESL as a long term career.
The key will be whether they expand using their own resources are go the franchise route.
EF is pretty well franchise with a few company-owned outlets and the teacher experience is well.. variable.
I understand that McDonalds tried franchise and got their fingers burned and now expand mostly with company-owned stores.
Disney will know all this but it would be a legit question if you got to interview.
Share the results.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Update.
The Disney site mentions franchise opportunities so each school could be variable in terms of treatment of FTs.
I would ask the recruiter just what audit/quality assurance they have in place for schools - especially franchises.

DayaM · Joined: 09 Sep 2011 Posts: 9

Here are some teachers' experiences and reviews of the Disney English program: http://www.goteachabroad.com/teach-in-china/teach-english-in-china-disney/941

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

DayaM cannot be serious about this link.
There are TWO reviews both laudatory.
However, I think the thread overall highlights the issues.
- Prepare to be a clown
- Young but motivated kids
- Growing fast and with a unique brand and content
- At franchised rather than company owned outlets, management quality may vary and it would be a good idea to check which type you�re being placed with.
- Could be Team Leader/DOS/Management roles opening up. They are clearly on a growth trajectory.
If they intend to roll out across PRC at the school density shown by where they are now, in 10 years time it could be massive.