Job Discussion Forums

goodwork002002 · Joined: 23 Oct 2009 Posts: 22 Location: Massachusetts, USA

I have been unable to find any sources for positive teaching experiences at EF China Sad

. Are they that bad? If you have had a positive experience teaching at an EF School in China PLEASE tell me about it.

tomstone · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 293

Every bit of contact I've had with them has just been too WEIRD. They make up their own rules about age and visa regs and tell you it's the law. The one position I was offered with them DID NOT pay visa fees, I've never heard that before or since, that is a very basic selling point of every other teaching position I've ever heard of; my limited experience with them tells me to avoid them like the plague. I know you only asked for positive reviews; I would be wary of "shills", I wouldn't put it past them.

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

I had very positive experiences in Guangzhou (2001/2002) and Xiamen (2002-2004) when I was a teacher, Senior teacher and DOS and a not so good experience in Chongqing 2004/2005 as DOS.

There are many happy and sad stories related with EF. That's the nature of the beast.

kukiv · Joined: 13 Dec 2009 Posts: 328

I think the most positive you'll hear on EF is - they pay on time, you can make friends with other FT's - and its a good starting point for a China career - which emphasizes that almost everybody moves on from EF, so there can't be much positive in an EF job that makes a teacher want to stay on for any length of time Idea

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

I work for EF. My school is good. I would say that's because of the Director of Studies and the fact that the school has chanced upon some good teachers, rather than anything specifically about EF, but everybody at my school is quite content, and there are good EF schools out there.

Of course, It's like the medicines that they advertise on US TV. EF isn't for everyone and can lead to side effects like depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

MOD EDIT

Send me a message if you need any (EF related) advice.

kukiv · Joined: 13 Dec 2009 Posts: 328

OP remember to ask why many FT's chose to move on from EF - could be something to do with long hours, poor hourly rates of pay, lots of evening and weekend work, short holidays compared with other non-mill teaching jobs and in some cases shared accommodation.

The Voice Of Reason · Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 492

MOD EDIT

w68ill@yahoo · Joined: 05 Nov 2009 Posts: 8 Location: China

EF Hangzhou
Pays on time, good accomodation, rarely have to work up to full contracted hours (I average about 15 hours a week in the classroom) and they don't push too much in the intensive period. They are opening a new school soon so are recruting quite a few new teachers.
This is my 3rd EF School and I am completely happy working for them.

LateStarter · Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:48 pm Post subject: EF Experience

I've been with EF for nearly a year now (smaller second tier city) and it has been fine. As a newbie, I was thankful of getting an opening with EF, after over 20 applications, so am appreciative of the opportunity. On the positive side, I get paid on time, my hours aren't extensive, and my accommodation is adequate. I have a great Senior Teacher, who has given me wonderful advice/assistance, and the Chinese staff are always helpful and friendly, even if things get lost in translation.

I can think of no negatives about EF, but I'm sure others have not been as lucky as I have. When it's time for me to leave, my story may be different, but for now EF has been a good introduction to English teaching in China.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I was with EF for 6 months once. Had a wonderful time, but left because the money was much lower than I could earn in other places.

Good starting place to get your feet wet in China.

Munroe · Joined: 06 Jan 2010 Posts: 25

How much does it pay?

Also, does anyone have experience with the Shanghai branch?

RobertF · Joined: 03 Nov 2009 Posts: 6

I'm thinking about working at EF in Suzhou (Xuzhou). Does anybody here have experience/knowledge about the work conditions there?

randyj · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:23 am Post subject: Re: EF Suzhou

RobertF · Joined: 03 Nov 2009 Posts: 6

Oops. I thought they were different spellings of the same place. I responded to an advertisement for work in Xuzhou, but I'm having difficulty finding information about it.

gene · Joined: 03 Mar 2010 Posts: 187

While working for EF in Dalian I had fair experiences but after I left I understood that they offered a version (to students) as to my leaving (it was for a better job) that was not so favorable.