Job Discussion Forums

[Tamil_Tiger]

Hello,


I have seen a couple posts on here suggesting that EF Urumqi is good. I've heard that EF schools in general tend to be long hours, low pay. I would like to hear from those teachers who have taught at EF Urumqi to get an idea of how many hours they end up working per week on average. How are the relations between franchise owners/management with the foreign teachers? Finally, without being boorish and inquiring on how much you make there, I'd like to know if EF urumqi pays a comparable wage or better vis a vis the other positions available in Urumqi in particular and Xinjiang Province as a whole. Thank you.

[Ludwig]

Taken from another post:

http://www.englishfirst.com/teacherinfo/recruitment/country/China_Teacher_Factsheet.doc

"Contracts are for 40-hours per week, including 36 academic hours of teaching (24 real hours). One academic hour is forty minutes plus a five-minute break. Hours of work will mirror those of similar local schools and will almost certainly involve working in the morning and in the evening as well as the weekends with one and a half days off. (typically [sic] Monday or Friday). During the summer and winter peak periods teachers receive one day a week off. In peak periods, teachers can be asked to work up to 43.5 academic hours (29 real hours) of teaching and will receive overtime payment (see contract for conditions)."

29 real hours a week is absolutely outrageous and, if it is all with kids, then it is nothing short of horrifying (note also that the contract must be consulted for full conditions pertaining to overtime payments; there is going to be a lot of angry and tired people this summer!). I do not think you would be doing much on your day-off save for sleeping and recovering (you certainly would not be doing many private lessons after that). Note also that there are references to, among other things, "courses conducted in local primary and middle schools" which "should follow a set curriculum and have a maximum of 25-30 students per class" (I love that instance of 'should'). There are references to "alternative teaching duties for academic programs held at the franchise school, such as tutoring sessions, conversation clubs and demonstration lessons for prospective students", and also, "regular social and marketing activities for the students, which you will be expected to participate in. Some examples are open houses, parties, educational booths at fairs and English competitions. Teachers will also get the chance to participate and lead some skills-sharing seminars with native English-speaking and non-native English speaking colleagues."

[Taiping04]

A quick search took 2 minutes, and located this post. It may be a management plant. Ludwig may have a personal grudge against EF because they sacked him. You be the judge. Anyway, you may be able to track Cath down.
Message
Cathb



Joined: 18 Mar 2004
Posts: 3
Location: Hong Kong

Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 5:43 am Post subject: EF Urumqi - a follow-up...
Hey all

Some of you might have seen my posts asking about English First Urumqi a few months ago.

A few people have PM-ed me since my posts, asking me if I ended up joining EF Urumqi, and if I did go, what I thought about it.

Firstly, yes, I did go - and I am here now.

Secondly, I absolutely love it. I was really stressed before I went, as there is a lot of negative information floating around about EF, and I think some of it must be true: in the past, or in other EF branches. But I can say that EF Urumqi rocks. The city is a blast, the team here is huge and absolutely fab - 11 foreign teachers, and growing. Plus we have a new(ish) DoS, Ian, who's British and brilliant.

NB - I had heard rumours about a bad DoS before Ian - whether this is true or not (I know details but I won't go into them), he's no longer here, and Ian has done wonders for the school.

Anyway: my message - some EF experiences ARE fantastic. Secondly, if you want some positive, yet honest, feedback about someone�s experiences at EF - send me a message and I'd be happy to tell you how it's all going for me and put you in touch with others.

Take care, and thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts about EF with me before I left (good and bad)! Much appreciated � I know some people had bad experiences, and I that you just wanted to save other people from having to experience such things too. Thankfully my case isn�t one of those. Thanks

[Cathb]

hey hey!

That's my post - yeah, I'm here at Urumqi and loving it (and I'm not a management plant!............. uhh, can't really prove it I suppose... but PM me and I'll send you email addresses of other folk here so you can scout their opinions).

Our DoS recently put up an ad on this site - which I think outlines our hours and pay etc.

Briefly - yes, (I think) we are definitely the best paid teachers in Urumqi. Pay in other cities in China will differ, but the cost of living here is low.

Workwise, I'm happy with my workload, I generally work 20ish real hours a week (courses start and end virtually every other week, which is why my hours are so changeable).

Now, honest time: I KNOW my hours will be going up for the months of July and August - which is our summer school, but they do pay overtime and in my view, it's only two months. Personally it doesn't bother me as I know when it comes down to it, they don't take the piss and everyone is in the same boat - so the morale is cool. However I do understand that working hard for 2 months might not be up everyone's street.

ANnnnnnnnnyway... gush gush blah blah, if you have any questions you can always PM me.

Cath

[Norman Bethune]

From the above posting by Cathb, I assume she has fallen prey to the Newbie EF recruit syndrome.

Many new recruits to EF are unaware of some of the methods used by the cult, er..... company to ensure such feelings. EF uses some very effective techniques, utilized elsewhere. See the link below, see any similarities in what it says and EF's way of doing things? Caution: Higher brain level analysis required.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/brain_wa.htm

[Cathb]

Thanks for the community concern Norman, but I do have a brain and I speak for myself.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

That's funny equating EF to a cult! Yes, EF do go a little overboard on the whole 'EF family' thing. And EF schools can be awkward places to work if you don't fit in with the inner circle of long term 'senior' teachers.

It does depend where you are as they are all franchises & most directors and DOSs have different backgrounds & different ways of doing things. Cath is very enthusiastic about her school and I'm pleased that she is happy as she could have it much worse from what I've heard.

I am currently working for an EF franchise here in China & we do nothing near the contracted teaching hours. In fact my 'intense' schedule is actually less than my usual contracted schedule Pot luck I guess?

Nevertheless, i've heard some horror stories about other franchises so, as always, it's best to try to contact a teacher currently teaching at the school you wish to join. If he/she lies to you in order to get you there simply stick a chop stick in that person's eye when you arrive

I believe that cath is being honest & her opinion should be respected as she is only trying to help. On the otherhand, if you find out that she isn't being completely honest then reach for the chop-sticks!