Job Discussion Forums

matador · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 281

Has anyone worked at WSI and used their blended online and "encounter" style of lessons? Is it easy for a teacher to use? Is there a lot of paperwork involved? I ask as I am considering a job there. And how are the hours? Am I going to be rushed off my feet? Thankss.

frank d · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 155

Matador, while I never worked for Wall Street, I did work for lots of English training centers in China (2003-2008). In my opinion, Wall Street's reputation among FTs has been in steady decline for years. Be careful.

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

I suppose WSI is similar to other chains - there are good centres and bad. Depends on the local management.

Maybe.

I work at a WSI in Jakarta. It's OK. Not hard at all. Some paperwork, but certainly no exams to mark or anything like that. It's just...different.

You won't be teaching, in the usual ESL way. You'll mostly be evaluating students (maximum 4 per "encounter") after each unit. Then you'll have complementary classes, which are scripted for when you need that but if my own job is any indication, you will have a LOT of latitude to do what you want. And then there are social clubs, which can be up to 30 students, and done on various topics.

None of it is hard even for a newbie; bone simple for an experienced teacher. In fact, bordom is really the biggest problem.

I peronally don't get bored because I enjoy the students.

You won't have any little kid classes either.

Is the system good? Yeah, it's OK. If the student really wants to learn. I miss having my own clases, but on the other hand, I get to know ALL the students, which is cool.

If the student is slack, then it's hopeless.

For what it's worth, I study Chinese with the same system. I don't have a school set-up like Wall Street, but I have CD-ROMs with matching manuals to work out of. Then I call up a Chinese friend, buy him or her coffee in exchange for testing me out on the grammar and vocab. for the unit I finished.

We then go do something, like get trashed on bai jiu in Chinatown, or go to KTV (where I sing Chinese songs) and so on - my own social clubs.

It works for me.

My two bits. Good luck. and I'm happy to answer any other questions you may have.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

Hi gregor - how do you compare WSI with EF - I thought you were pretty happy and set with EF - trying to forge a more permanent career with that chain.