Job Discussion Forums

[han_87]

I�ve been offered a job with EF in Surabaya, Indonesia. So far I�ve gained a good impression of them. The interviews were professional, the contract seems sound and I generally have got good �vibes� from them so far. However, I�ve come across many critisms of EF in forums and am wondering whether I�m being na�ve and taking a risk by travelling to the other side of the world when I could end up swindled!! Advice please!! I�m new to all this! :D Thankyou!

[ang_nic]

I have a phone interview with them tomorrow - and I am wondering the same things exact things as you! Hopefully we get some responses from some more knowledgeable folks soon.

[Wilkor]

I'm somewhat interested in this myself. I had quite a bad impression of EF from this forum (due to all the horror stories). I've since taken up employment at an EF in Aus, and it's fantastic. Good pay, good resources, and fantastic, supportive staff. While I'm aware of the differences between Indo and Aus, I think that we only get the bad stories about EF in Indo.

Can anyone shed some more light on this? Are there 'good' EFs in Indo? Where the management don't try to use you as slave labour?

[drandreasbrown]

First, you have to be careful about generalizing about EF schools. It is a huge franchise and what may be true for one may not be true for the others.

That said, I have worked for EF Surabaya for four years. While there have been minor hiccups now and then, overall I have found them to be very reliable. Unlike many other schools, they do pay you on time, will provide housing and reimburse your flights. Teachers sometimes quibble over the details- a bad a/c or a dip in the exchange rate meaning you get less money that you thought for your flight, but generally speaking I have found it a decent place to work. Most of the other teachers (won't name the ones who aren't haha) are supportive and friendly, and there is generally a good attitude in the staff room. The pay for first year teachers is less than some other schools (IALF for example) but it is the kind of school that if you stay for more than a year the wages and benefits become very attractive.So I'm sure you've heard all kinds of stuff about EF, and I'm not saying it's all gravy here, but you could do a lot worse.

[cheese6]

Steer clear of EF Semerang, Solo, and Jogja. All under the same management. They are extortionists and liars

[malu]

Hmm. Not the first time that franchise group has been criticised here. Could you be more specific with your complaint, cheese?