Job Discussion Forums

[west2east]

Regarding what makes for a high retention? In my experience salary and benefits are secondary reasons that contribute to staff retention (I speak as a foreign teacher manager). Around 90% of our FTs complete their first contract and around 70% sign for a second year. 25% of our FTs have been here between 3 to 5 years (6FTs).

I think some of the reasons, aside from salary and benefits, our teachers complete contracts and sign another one is down to a competitive contract that is straight forward and adhered to, to the letter. Not a week goes by when a teacher approaches me asking if they can "bend a rule" in the contract, such as taking leave at times when leave is not permitted or thinking that talking about political events in other countries in class is a good thing. When a contract is enforced, boundaries are recognised and generally respected.

When teachers accept an offer of employment, we submit a copy of our license credentials to show that we are legit and organise their visa and other related documentation legally. Before accepting an employment offer, the candidate is asked to choose any of our current FTs from our website to contact. This allows them to get a real teacher of the school's perspective on life here. I never inquire about what emails are exchanged, I have to trust my staff. Between accepting an offer and arriving at the school, new FTs are included in all relevant school emails as to be brought into the loop before they arrive. Also at this time, the new FT is introduced to one of our Teacher Supervisors acting as their personal mentor, so the new FT knows someone on a more personal level before they arrive.The FT is always met at the airport/train station by myself and escorted to their apartment that has previously been inspected by myself to ensure it is of the right standard and cleanliness.

Another reason is that teachers are taken care of and we constantly ask for feedback. For example all our FTs go through a seven day induction and training before teaching independently. They are taken out for a meal by the school owners and taken on a tour of the city. The school holds regular events such as day trips and birthday parties. The teacher's staff rooms are pleasant and well equipped with drinks making equipment. The school always goes out to buy electrical equipment and organise travel tickets on behalf of teacher as to get a 'local' price.

Weekly meetings are planned in advance and involve FTs to participate such as teach grammar points to both FT peers and the Chinese staff. We even give rewards for ideas generated that are implemented. I don't expect staff to 'smash rocks' for the sake of it. If there is not a meaningful agenda, the meeting is canceled.

FTs are asked (not forced) to take part in marketing activities. However, the success of all marketing activities are closely measured and any return on investment earns bonus for those FTs that choose to help the school.

We have a 24 hour resolution policy for most incidences in teacher apartments (except of course in dire emergencies) so FTs know that the leaking toilet will not fester for three months or more.

The school does not boast the best salary nor benefits. We continually try to maintain a balance of offering a competitive package but stride to make their stay here as seamless as possible and promote a community feel between all staff members, Chinese and foreign alike. I'd be interested to know what retention and contract renewal is like in other schools.

And finally, all the above wasn't designed and implemented by managers alone. We welcome and encourage feedback from all levels and put into practice what our staff ask for wherever we can. As teachers we can make efforts to change our environment. A touch of tact and diplomacy is often all it takes.

Edit here-> We always give a release letter, irrespective of circumstances and is given as soon as it is requested by the next employer.

[LateStarter]

It really is sad when people bag what essentially is the best that you will get as a first-time teacher in China - unless you have PhD, years of teaching experience, and a letter of recommendation from Peking University. Most FTs who jump off the boat, have little or no teaching experience and expect the proverbial pot of gold three weeks into their teaching career. EF is essentially a good franchise. Yes, the hours may be long, but included in those long hours will be some training that will bring many young FTs with absolutely no clue whatsoever up to speed in dealing with 6 - 14 year olds and the classroom management issues attached to that age group.

I have just finished a contract with EF and am now on a small university campus. Yes, my hours and my salary are less, but guess what, I miss the comeraderie, the kids, the buzz that surrounded Saturdays and Sundays when there was little or no time to breathe between classes. I miss being supported by my peers, my fellow teachers, and yes my Chinese support staff.

If you want a cruisy time in China, don't bother with EF, but if you want some good experience and training that you can use as a springboard to a better life and income in China, then EF is a good place to start.

[cormac]

Having worked 30+ teaching hours in a week with small children, I can safely say that I will never do so again. If you're young, and full of energy then perhaps you could stick it, but I'm too old (34) for that kind of gig. Teaching kids is a lot of fun, but its very easy to burn out, and having so many teaching hours isn't helpful.

Perhaps EF does indeed stick to their contracts but.. I must admit that I'm suspicious of such claims. I've heard enough angry comments first hand from teachers that have worked with them relating to schedules, lack of support, contract breaches etc, that I have to take the above with a pinch of salt.

Personally, I would not recommend any language mill to a starting teacher. Its a minefield to deal with management and parents. While the working hours do give you thr experience to teach well, its also a hell of alot of work to start with. I made the mistake of thinking if I was used to 50 hour weeks in business then I would be more than capable of 30 hours of teaching. Alas it doesn't work like that.

IF you're going to teach for 3 or 6 months, perhaps a language mill like EF is fine. But I certainly wouldn't recommend it for a year.

[cormac]

[Insubordination]

Newbies might not understand that 40 hours teaching/week requires far more stamina and preparation than a desk job. Even if the company has the lessons prepared, copied and ready to go, you still have to figure out the best way to present them and reflect on your lessons afterwards.

20 hours is about the right amount to be able to do an effective job. 25-30 is possible for a year or two (if a teacher is very experienced and has some 'repeat' classes). Any more than that would be hard to sustain for long. The quality of the lessons wouldn't be very high unless the teacher is prepared to spend nights/weekends going over lessons.

[Non Sequitur]

A bit off the topic but IMHO the very best gig set up is:
16 or 18 contact hours pw.
Oral English so no papers to mark.
The hours fitted into 4 days with either Monday or Friday off = long weekends with no hassles.
See classes only once pw. Means you have 2 - say max 3 lesson plans going in any one week.
Decent text book for that boring but necessary dialogue reading.
Enough experience to have accumulated your own resources to spice up the 2nd hour when students are starting to wilt.
Live on campus so no commuting.

[the_otter]

[Laurence]

[Timer]

[vikeologist]

The standard EF job doesn't require 40 hours of teaching. When I worked there I did around 14 hours a week during off-peak. (There's 2 peak seasons where you may be asked to do a lot more). The 40 hours may refer to the amount of time that you may be required to be in the office at schools, preparing lessons and doing placement tests.

I think many teachers leave EF after a year because they then have the experience and on the ground knowledge to get a 'better' job.

My experience of EF was that their professional development was pretty bad. My DOS did some training and that was ok. However the materials provided by EF Head Office or whatever the training arm were were utter rubbish. I wanted professional development, and thought any sessons spent on that bilge would be wasted time, so you can imagine what those teachers who just wanted to teach thought. I was given no opportunities to go away from the school for training, so that part of the spiel for my EF school was just untrue.

That of course is a criticism of my school's owner, not EF who I'm sure did put on training sessions, but which we weren't informed about. However, the fact is that, because most EF schools are franchises, one can't be assured of any of the 'benefits' or conditions that EF advertise. Better to regard each school as a separate entity.

Even in my city which has 2 EF schools with the same owner, though I was quite happy with the school I worked in, I wouldn't advise anyone to work in the other school (although of course, since I didn't work there, and things may have changed in the last year, it may be a good place to work after all).

Finally, it is true that a 'newbie' can probably get more money for the same number of hours than with EF, but if a newbie can get a job in a good school, even if it's an EF one, then it's better to have a good experience and earn good money than to have a horrible experience for slightly better money.

[Jaime1]

I worked there. It's a slave school

High hours, low pay (5,500 RMB a month is barely surviving)

If you teach a 6-8pm class, they make you stay there from 12pm even if you only need to prepare for 1 hour

Terrible management - disrespectful, rude, unhelpful

They didn't get me a work visa or work permit


They make you do field trips with kids and you have go to events on your off hours (weekend)

Apartments are terrible (you always have to share), Heater will be broke and they won't bother to fix it

Only 3 computers for 15 teachers. (ridiculous if you need to make worksheets, or get activities)

They make you assign homework online which is a pain

Loads of inane paperwork and progress reports.

Arrogant behavior of the company. Bringing an EF flag to another school and taking pictures of students in front of it. (this is shameful)

No freedom to do classes in your own style. It is a corporation and franchise and operates like one. Individuality is punished, yet people are quick to steal your ideas.

[milkweedma]

[Non Sequitur]

Dave's is one of the few places we can come to try out deals we have been offered on other experienced FTs.
My advice to supporters of EF ( or any other chain school) is to ensure that their school is universally given the thumbs up on Dave's.
Your best way forward is to relay back to your employers that their operations are being bagged to a very wide audience and it is they who suffer.

[cormac]

My advice is if you're already in China is to hit some of the expat bars. You'll eventually meet someone from the school, and people are generally more honest about their school after a few beers. I find the emailing of teachers to hit & miss. Its in their interests for you to sign up, since their workload "might" be reduced as a result.

As for Daves... well... Its a great place to start you off in your investigations but take it with a grain of salt..

[xjgirl]

training centres will suit people who want a social life fast, EF aren't offering the best packages around, web is a little better as is a few others
but teaching kids in a training centre, well, it's just a desperately awful job that only the foolish or desperate would take