Job Discussion Forums

[Noelle]

I've worked for EF but only for a very brief time and now I am completely out of the loop.

A friend of mine is considering sending her son and daughter to an EF school in Shanghai because she heard they have the "best reputation" in China for teaching children. I think by "best" she may mean the "biggest".

This woman is Korean, by the way, living in Shanghai with her husband who is there on business. She knows that I taught with EF and is now asking for my opinion on the school's current program. I really don't know what to tell her...

I told her to see if she can go and observe some classes but I don't know if that kind of thing is done at EF. She wants to know what kind of programs they offer at EF for young learners.

I vaguely remember the books as New English Parade and some other teen book in 3 different colors representing the levels for a group of students called "trailblazers". Her daughter is a teen and her son is about 7 years old (Korean age). I'm guessing they'd be put into these classes?

Also I can remember something like 18 to 20 students per class and the classes were two hours each. In Korea, many private language academies will not exceed more than 10 to 12 students per class.

So my question is... have things changed in terms of the young learner programs offered in China? I'd really appreciate relevant responses here. Please spare me the "EF sucks everything" ranting...

[Sonnet]

The Parade & Brainwaves books have ben ditched. The YL books are recently-launched in-company ranges now.

Class sizes max at 16, and average 12.

It's common to run a 3ach (2 real hours) class once a week for YL programs, but centres can run courses differently.

Tell her to go into the school she's thinking about & have a look at the materials, classrooms & the scheduling. If it's in Shanghai, then it'll be one of the fancy newmultimedia schools.

[Noelle]

That's right... Brainwaves!
Now I totally remember those miserable books I used to have to use for teens. They were awful. I'm glad to hear they've ditched them.
I'm not a fan of Parade either... they're used throughout Korea as well and I really think they should be scrapped.

Multimedia is the way to go now especially with kids and teens, in my opinion. I love using the powerpoints, youtube videos, DVD's and online games in the classroom.

Sounds like the EF schools in Shanghai have pretty good facilities.

[englishgibson]

[Noelle]

Thanks Sonnet.

Englishgibson... I should have known.

Guess I need to make sure not to check that "notify me" via email box when daring to come into the China forum and post anything about EF.

Anyone who can tell me more about the EF schools in Shanghai and their programs for kids, I'd really appreciate the input. Anyone who has worked or currently works for them, please PM me. Perhaps I could pass on some contact details to my friend who is considering EF Shanghai for her Korean kids.

Do the schools offer private one on one lessons for children? She also wants to know if there are activities for kids such as holiday parties, sporting events etc...? This mother is nice but she's one of those very demanding types who has high expectations for her children and anyone educating them. Any helpful info would be great.

EG, could you please save your sarcasm and rantings for another thread? I would really appreciate it.

[englishgibson]

i am so sure you would...keep coming on those EF threads providing your enquires, views, allegin' you've only worked for EF briefly and so on...it's a free forum, isn't it

peace to all
and
cheers and beers to enquires