Job Discussion Forums

[dan]

thank you all so much for your numerous and colorful posts to my initial question about English First. However, might some of you try to actually address my question this time? The only person who came forward was the guy in Shenzen. Frank and blunt though he was, I am not entirely confident he offered a balanced and tempered perspective on this particular job.

Thanks.

[DaXiangLouis]

I've sent you a PM, Dan.

[Bayden]

[DaXiangLouis]

[englishgibson]

[englishgibson]

[vikdk]

sorry Dan - we tried to keep this an unpolluted thread - but English got out of his cage - we have the dart gun ready and the tranqualiser at hand - hold on - yessssssssss - I've got him in my scope now....
blattttttttttt - (thud of falling body)
thats it get the chains on him boys
Okay - thread empty again, ready for real EF DOS's

[englishgibson]

[checkmate]

It seems there is some mis information about EF or at least about EF shenzhen in particular EF xiang mi hu.
I will try to answer the questions.
I am the Center Manager/DOS for EF XMH. This position is combined.
All 5 EF schools in shenzhen operate the same way.
We have been given a teaching curriculum from EF regarding books age groups and types of course. I wrote what they were before but here it is again.
children aged 5 -10 years old.
The books are called High flyer and there a 6 levels.
High flyer 1A and then 1B and so on up to High fligher 6.
for childeren aged between 11 -15 years.
the books are called trailblazer and these also have 6 levels A and B
for Adult students we have a number of teaching materials such as
Introduction to English Beginner 1 and 2
Key stage 1 and 2
Waystage 1,2, 3
Threshold 1,2,3.

for business we have business explorer 1,2,3.
We also have other resources that we use.

If you look on the internet you can find our EF shenzhen information but if you want a direct email to my center here it is.
[email protected]
I have previously supplied contact information about my center but no one contacted us. This was so if anyone wanted to ask any questions they can.
I accepted this position because I like the job, the pay is good and the conditions are also good.
As for the DOS/CM position. I suppose it is like beinga headmaster of a school. I am responsible for the daily operations of my center including teachers, sales dept, customer service and all functions within my center.
I do not need to plan a curriculum because Ef has already given us the resources to do the job.
I have a head teacher who advises me of any problems or needs for assistance from my teachers. I hold regular staff meeting to listen to my teachers idea's and complaints. I make the decisions after talking with the teachers themselves. I am not required to get any other approval unless it is for a major event or serious request for funds. I cannot comment on other other EF centers but I believe I have a good General Manager who listens to me and allows me to do my job as long as I accept responsibility for my decisions and can justify them. That seems pretty fair. I can hire or fire teachers myself without any other authority. I have complete freedom to run my center as I see fit as long as I stay within the EF guidelines.
Obviously I am unable to comment on pay scale but I believe my teachers get paid quite well. I try to give them what they want but always give them what they need.
Obviously I am not permitted to randomly give out my teachers contact details but should you want to talk with them Im sure it can be arranged..
I have teachers from NZ, Aust, Canada, US, and 3 chinese English teachers.
My policy here is simple. I'll do my job and you do yours. Teach the classes, get paid and go home. If you sign a contract then do your job. If you dont like the conditions then dont sign. Simple.
I have seen many posters who just seem to spendl their time criticising everybody and everything. If you are a qualified teacher and love teaching then it is your responsibilty to do your own job instead of worrying about what someone else is doing..
I know that EF has a bad reputation in many places but is it all deserved or is it that some people's expectations are always higher then their ability and an empty vessel makes the loudest noise.

I offered people a chance to come and see us here as an invitation so they could see for themselves but some took it as I wanted to challenge them or something. Nobody came or even called by phone.
So for those of you I know will always have something bad to say about anything and even this post I say "its your party and you can cry if you want to".
For anyone else who seriously wants to know about my center please drop me a line or email or call our center and I will be happy to give you any information you need.

This is NOT an advertisiement for EF just 1 center manager who likes his job and thinks I could do a lot worse.
Different strokes for different folks.

[englishgibson]

Well, it really looks like you're doing something right there.....and you do seem to be quite a hard working fella
Now beginning with your contact email there, why wouldn't you use the standard EF English First email address or do you have one? To make myself as clear as I can, the EF English First has got their standard email system and their email is ...........(your name)@englishfirst.com.cn
Have you got that EF standard email address???
I understand your Shenzhen centers operate under one owner/investor as you have pointed out before (I think), but each EF center is supposed to be one franchised operation and each center needs to be approved by the EF Head Office in Shanghai.

[tw]

EG, it seems you have transformed from educating people about the evil EF empire to outright trolling anyone who dares to say anything remotely positive about a particular EF centre. Isn't it time you find something better to do?

Yes, I once did feel sorry for you when your life was threatened (or so you claimed). Now, I think you need to see a psychiatrist.

[Mister Al]

Yes EG, Why don't you move one, brother. I think it was around February 2005 when you started your 'poor little me' bleating. You may have got a rough deal in Suzhou or maybe you just were a wee bit light on the managerial skills required to be a competent/effective DOS. Who knows? Who really cares anymore? . Anyway, that's beside the point. It's now September 2006. Get over it, man.
Do you sit around glued to this forum just waiting for the devils' own words to appear on some innocent poster's request for info-Oooooh there it is....EF. .......aaaaargh-and then go off on your purile rants?

I'm sure you must have thought 'why don't you grow up?' when you had the pleasure of teaching some spoiled kid in TB1. I think quite a few of us here are thinking that about you, EG. So why don't you?

Oh, BTW, I also worked for EF and apart from one unsavoury Centre Manager enjoyed my little rise through the ranks from teacher, Senior Teacher to DOS, which I was for over two years-and it may even surprise you, but I actually think that most of the teachers I worked with during that period enjoyed having me as their DOS, at the same time-but that's all in the past. Please note the last clause.

[checkmate]

Wow I just tried to answer the original question and there seems to be a riot.
It seems obvious that there are different ways to implement EF directives.
I dont want to spend all night picking apart someones response word by word or phrase by phrase. If some of you have time to do this good on ya. The reason I tried to supply my contact details is so anyone who wanted to get some answers from an EF center I would try to help.
It has become apparent that no matter what is said or how it is said there are going to those who will not be satisfied.
If all these hotshot crybaby teachers are so good why are they here whinging instead of in their own countries where everyone is treated fairly and given a decent wage. Ha. Perhaps its so they can feel superior throwing stones at everyone else.
The books I have are the books I have. The email is the email. The teachers are the teachers. If someone has a problem with EF ok. Then talk to the head office and whinge to them.
My email is the one I got. I dont know or care why and whats the difference.
The pay is the pay. You accept it or dont. If Ef is so bad then simple. dont work for us.
You gotta problen the fix it instead of continually whinging. I gave my details so people who had something to say could whether it was good or bad. As far as I see there are so many chicken shit whinging foreigners here and bugger all good teachers. The good teachers just do their jobs because thats what they want to do. For those who just cry about something all the time jeez just give it a rest. If you dont like it then just go home. If you dont like what I say too bad but you know where I am if you got something more you wanna bring.
Ive posted my email so if anyone who seriously wants to know what happens at my center then e mail me.
EF ROCKS ESPECIALLY XMH.

[vikdk]

woww checkmate - you actualy take the english-gibbon seriously.
Hope you dont chair staff-meetings in the same style as you write your posts - otherwise you should maybe think about issueing diapers and rattles as uniform for EF staff at Shenzhen

[Sinobear]

Anyone who wants to be (or is) in a position of leadership should follow the principles of Patton and MacArthur:

Principles of Command (Patton)


Establish a Command Presence
Use Your People - Delegate
Require Accountability
Reprimand When Required
Say What You Mean
Always Be Alert for Trouble - Anticipate
Anyone Who Thinks They Are Indispensable Ain't

Principles of Management


Get the Facts, When Making Decisions
Use the Input From Your People
Utilize Partcipative Management
Priorities Must Be Established
Always Prepare Alternative Plans
Manage By Walking Around
Use Consensus if Possible
Timing is Very Important
Keep Lines of Communications Open
Select Your Leaders From Accomplishments Not Affection
When Responsibility Is Given So Must Authority

Principles for Life


Stay Physically Fit
Keep the Mind Active
The Mind Can Control the Body
Maintain A Strong Code of Honor
High Integrity
Always Tell the Truth
Strong Spiritual Character
Study the Bible (secretly)
Don't Judge Others
Keep The Golden Rule

Principles for Success


Have Pride in Appearance
Study and Prepare
Training is Very Important
Show Dependability
Use Visualizations
Establish a Positive Mind Set
Have Strong Determination
Keep an Attitude of Optimism
Be Confident
Always Keep Something In Reserve

Principles for Leadership


Use Active Listening
Develop Your People
Develop Trust and Cooperation
Respect Others
Use Positive Motivation
Empathize With Your People
Develop a Win/Win Attitude
Be a Role Model for Your People
High Integrity is Necessary
Be Flexible in Your Approach
Encourage Your People
Develop an Effective Conflict Resolution Technique
Collaboration and Cooperation is a Key to Leadership
Send all of the witnessess to your screw-ups on suicide missions (that's mine)

(from: http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?sectionId=5&id=45288)

MacArthur

Do I heckle my subordinates or strengthen and encourage them?


Do I use moral courage in getting rid of subordinates who have proven themselves beyond doubt to be unfit?


Have I done all in my power by encouragement, incentive and spur to salvage the weak and erring?


Do I know by NAME and CHARACTER a maximum number of subordinates for whom I am responsible? Do I know them intimately?


Am I thoroughly familiar with the technique, necessities, objectives and administration of my job?


Do I lose my temper at individuals?


Do I act in such a way as to make my subordinates WANT to follow me?


Do I delegate tasks that should be mine?


Do I arrogate everything to myself and delegate nothing?


Do I develop my subordinates by placing on each one as much responsibility as he can stand?


Am I interested in the personal welfare of each of my subordinates, as if he were a member of my family?


Have I the calmness of voice and manner to inspire confidence, or am I inclined to irascibility and excitability?


Am I a constant example to my subordinates in character, dress, deportment and courtesy?


Am I inclined to be nice to my superiors and mean to my subordinates?


Is my door open to my subordinates?


Do I think more of POSITION than JOB?


Do I correct a subordinate in front of others?

(from: http://www.leadershipnow.com/macarthurprinciples.html)

Do I send all witnesses to my screw-ups on suicide missions?

Cheers!