Job Discussion Forums

[malu]

Why, exactly, are you asking for members' personal opinions if you have already decided which ones you want to hear?

The FT community is a broad and diverse group just as China is a big country (albeit one with an incredibly homogenous culture) and you will get the full spectrum of opinions when posing general questions.

Before I went to China I, too, obtained opinions both for and against. I decided it was worth a try on that basis. Having tried it, my own opinion is most firmly against.

In the dim and distant past I worked for EF. I advise against that as well.

Is Indonesia a good place to live? In my opinion it is. Others will present an alternative view.

Do you seek opinions or debate? I imagined it was the former.

[chris.m]

I was seeking advice about the contract that was on offer to me in Indonesia. I've since gone on to say that i'm taking a job in China which I thought had previously fallen through, I wasn't particularly asking for advice about that, but I will, of course, gratefully take in any that is offered.

Your view seems to come from your own personal bitter experience, and you've not offered any real advice or informative discussion, just a condemnation of China. It's not really that helpful.

[Nabby Adams]

Good luck where ever you end up Chris. Actually the fact that you have decided to go is far more important than whether your first year is in EF or not. When in country you can always aim to improve your lot in your second year. This is the well trodden path after all.
If China isn't your thing then don't let that put you off trying another country. Teaching EFL really is a case of job by job let alone country by country.

[chris.m]

Thanks Nabby. It's been difficult to find anyone with any positive words of encouragement on these messageboards. It seems that as soon as the words "English First" are mentioned, 99% of the responses i've had have been nothing but negative. It's even making my family worry about what i'm getting myself into. (It's not exactly life or death).

I can appreciate that the negativity is not completely without reason, but at least I can view it as being a foot in the door, and something I can progress from as I go along and gain some experience.

Thank you for wishing me luck, it's made a pleasant change.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

I had a great time at one of the EF branches in China. I chose to go with EF because I had friends working there, and it is the easiest way to get on the school scene in China - they paid the flights in advance, provided a big apartment, and were generally very welcoming and generous with nights out, days away, meals, etc.

While there, the workload was very low (with the exception of the summer 6 weeks of hell! - be warned. The schools close and EF gets every kid in the surrounding area for back to back classes morning to night).

I heard some real horror stories about other EF's in China, but this one was good fun.

It also served as a stepping stone to move on to much bigger and better things in China.

One other thing to remember - you can leave if you do not like it. Here in Indonesia, you are bound in so many ways.

Personally, i would never work for a language school again. Even if I were starting out again, I would certainly never work for an Indonesian EF, but I'd give China a try for sure.

Be aware of the summer HELL. Be aware that you may be isolated more than you could ever imagine, and that no matter how much you think you are prepared for life overseas, nothing can prepare you for life in China: it is life on the moon (or any other appropriate metaphor). But there are good times to be had once you get over the initial 'what the f*K have I done' when you first step of the plane in the PRC.

Please do not check for grammar mistakes & typos - I didn't.

[chris.m]

Thanks for the reply Team Papua.

So you actually enjoyed your time working at an EF centre?
I was starting to believe that you people were mythical creatures.

It's a relief to know that not all EF's live up to the stereotype. I know that a lot probably do, but from the research i've done so far, the particular one that has offered me the position seems to be quite fair.

They've pre-warned me about the mad holiday season, and have been fairly up front when answering the bucketload of questions i've been pestering them with for the past few months.

I know that I need to expect a difficult time adjusting to life there, and i'm bracing myself for it. Although I don't suppose there's much that can be done to prepare for that. I'm going on my own and apparently westerners are thin on the ground in Shenyang so i'm in at the deep end when I consider how isolated i'll be.

I'm experiencing a mixture of excitement and apprehension at the moment but i'm sure that'll probably disappear once the confusion and stress sets in after arriving in China.
At least I now know that not everyone hated EF, and that gives me some hope at least.

Thanks again,

Chris

[TEAM_PAPUA]

No problem. It really depends on the people you live/work/socialize with. because of the demands associated with life in China, you should find that people are more helpful and closer knit (socially) over there.

Be prepared for a rollercoaster ride of emotions; no two days are the same, and one day you may feel on top of the world, the next day you want to throw yourself in front of the ubiquitous blue construction lorries.

The food is great. The beer is cheap (though not in the city centers). The girls are gorgeous (well, the ones who can afford to go to the dentist, buy perfume, and know how to use a razor!). Do not let the 2" thick kevlar winter pantyhose put you off as these same girls look amazing in the summer

The job will suck for sure; repetition and no challenge. Use it to move on up to bigger and better things - China has a wealth of opportunity.

Good luck.

And when it all gets on top, have a drink of the local 'white spirit' - cheap and definitely NOT cheerful