Job Discussion Forums

[vancanman]

I know Web (a copy of Wall St English) based on 1.5 years with them. They are ok however as is the case in most of these schools the management is weak and the turnover rate very high. HR related to hiring is hit and miss and they don't listen to the FTs too much regarding hiring of same. They pay a higher salary, 12K to start working up to 15K. Problem is no raise after the 1st year. Most trainers are bored by then anyway as the Lesson Plans are lame, not much QC and the students not terribly motivated.
Wall St pays somewhat higher and you need do 6 classes daily-1 more than Web. Pay increases and advancement more available, and they are a true MNC. owned by Carlysle Group.
The rest of the language mills are B grade.
I'd say it's better to get an F business visa and work several part-time jobs. Spread the risk. And of course get some privates. Yes, both of these things are illegal, but done by many teachers and schools.
Shenzhen and Guangzhou are worth looking at as an alternative to SH which is where most teachers want to be. Less competitive for teachers and similar salaries with lower living costs.
By far the best solution is start your own training company. (I "cringe" when I think of all the posters who are going to say how difficult this is and how much trouble you will get into). However, I've seen this done in several countries over the 10 years or so I've been traveling around.

[Babala]

I have a question. I have heard many people warn about working at Wall Street and yet I can't recall anyone from Wall Street coming on the forum complaining. The only poster who talks about Wallstreet worked for them in South America and I consider that information irrelevant here as it doesn't pertain to China (same as people commenting that EF is good in other countries). Does any poster have any first hand knowledge of Wall Street?

By the way, my company is Web also. I have been with them for over 2 years and about to sign on for a 3rd.

[no_exit]

I have worked for several chain schools and my experiences haven't really been negative. I generally find the work to be more reliable, the pay more dependable, and the classes more structured, than in Chinese public schools or sketchy local private schools.

I don't doubt those who have had negative experiences however. I think the issue has to considered on a case by case basis. I had a negative experience teaching at a Chinese university, one of the best universities in the province even, but I wouldn't use this experience to extrapolate that all Chinese universities should be avoided. Is anything ever as consistent as that in China?

[morrisj11]

I am working at EF school and cannot rate it highly enough.

We are paid on time.
The chinese admin staff are great - kind, friendly, helpful, efficient. There is a feeling that they care about the staff.
My airfare out was paid for promptly on arrival.
I came out at very short notice (on a tourist visa - my choice) and they ensured my Z visa was processed promptly.
Since I've been here we have been treated to meals out, invites to weddings etc from the chinese staff - all very sociable!


Realising that EF schools are franchises I cannot state that this is the case for other schools, but speaking as a 46 year old English female who retired from running her own business last year, and came out to China for a break, all I can say is that I am impressed. I have come across worse business set ups in Britain than I find here.

[vikdk]

glad to see your enjoying yourself, but a couple of questions -

how many hours are you doing a week - the EF hours look very heavy when advertised (you yourself talk about being here for a break), could you tell us what teaching hours yo have to do - how much weekend and evening work - how much promo work.

Do you have to share an appartment - if so, what's the sharing experience like for a 46 year old women - I'm of a very similar age, don't know if I could hack that one.

by the way how long you been working with EF - your post is very full of gushing praise, but a little short the kinda detail I've asking for a long time for from a bona- fida EF employee.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

Bell Shanghai - part of Bell International (Cambridge) in name only. It is owned and very poorly managed by a Shanghai shipbuilding company!!!!

Prepare yourself for the most impersonal experience of your life - enjoy a year in a place where none of the local staff speak to you

Prepare to fight for everything in your contract to be honored

Prepare NOT to get repaid for your flight tickets

Prepare for the WORST medical cover EVER

Prepare to sit in a car all day looking at grey concrete tower blocks, then teach in freezing cold (winter) or boiling hot (summer) middle school classrooms

Prepare to teach 2.5 hour classes to employees of the shipyard who have been working 12 hours and have NO interest in learning English

Prepare for a life on the fringes of Shanghai, a stones throw away from the docks and garbage dumps

If this is not enough to put you off, prepare to be offered LESS money and MORE classes for your second year contract

Nice

[vikdk]

[morrisj11]

Hours vary depending on whether its school term or the holiday season, but average has been around 25 hours contact hours per week. 2 days off per week, but we work Sat & Sun. Some people feel that the hours are high, but having run my own company, quite frankly for me its a holiday!

No promo work but then again thats something I'd like to do, having had to market my own business (something I love doing) I'd like to get involved.

At the moment I don't share, but if another female turns up well that wil change, but this was made clear beforehand I cannot complain - I can always find my own place if its not OK.

Only came out last year - Nov - but one guy has renewed his contract for another 12 months. However, as someone who has worked in the corporate sector, government sector and been an employer for 15 years, I know a well run business when I see one. Green around the gills I am not.

[vikdk]

[morrisj11]

Working at the basic level of teaching. Taking a year off from responsibilties.

As for glares etc - try working in Europe! The Chinese are no more rude than anyone else overall (including the British). Lets face it, if I were a parent forking out for private lessons, I'd be pretty keen to make sure I knew what I was getting.

[vikdk]

[TEAM_PAPUA]

[vikdk]

hej Morris now that we've actualy got a real live bog-standard EF worker on the forum - don't go dead on us!!!

I was intreaged by another of your statements -

[Jizzo T. Clown]

EF Shijiazhuang:

After one year, four of seven teachers signed on for a second year. The other three (myself included) left because they didn't like the city.

[vikdk]

Jizzo can you tell us why you reckon EF (or at least the branch where you were) is a good deal - and how does that deal compare with other schools you've taught at.