Job Discussion Forums

carl_00 · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 82

Greetings,

I've recently contacted a recruitment agency about working in China, they've told me that although I have no teaching qualifications I should still be able to find work in China. They've also put forward recent vacancies at English First. What I want to know is:

1) Will I find work without a TEFL certificate, if so, are jobs that don't require qualifications a rarity?

2) Has anyone experienced English First, how is it?

I would search but the search function doesn't appear to be working at the moment Rolling Eyes

.

JohnnyMarbles · Joined: 01 Feb 2009 Posts: 7

1. Yes you can find work, jobs that don't require EXP are a dim a dozen. Just look at the job listings, they all but most say no exp needed.

2. EF sucks, I just finished one year at an EF branch.

carl_00 · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 82

It's not lack of EXP I'm concerned about, it's lack of a TEFL certificate.

And could you tell me why EF sucks? I'm guessing it's a chain school, so, would your bad experience be down to your particular school or is it a widespread sentiment that all EF schools suck?

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

Widespread sentiment.

A crappy job suitable only for the newbies.

carl_00 · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 82

Well, I only have one years experience in South Korea so I guess I'm still a newbie.

But what exactly is it about EF that's crappy?

Details, a little specificity please.

xiao51 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 208

LateStarter · Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 12:36 pm Post subject: EF SUCKS!

Rogerwilco seems to be speaking for everyone working for EF! However, he failed to elicit my comments............EF is fine, and I guess you have to take each school on its particular merits. For me, I've been lucky - they honour their contracts, pay monthly, and even offer training for young inexperienced expats fresh off the boat who really don't have a clue. If you are coming to China with absolutely no idea about English teaching, EF is a good place to start.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

smilingheart · Joined: 06 May 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Melbourne

Hey LateStarter,

Can I ask which EF you worked at? I'm already in China with my boyfriend, supposed to be working for another school but have been completely screwed over & now need new jobs asap! The EF in our city has an amazing reputation & we know all the expats who work there & they love it, some even stay on for more than one year, even three years! The only problem is they have no positions at the moment but I really want to work at an EF somewhere, even if we have to move cities.

Can you please tell me which EF you know that provides training too? We don't have degrees or TESOL but are already here, have taught some classes & have our visas/residence permits.

PM me if you like.

Thanks heaps!

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

smilingheart · Joined: 06 May 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Melbourne

We did not do a runner. The school hired both of us to replace only one teacher, have only now realised their mistake & have fired me without notice, without a good explanation & without the correct amount of pay.
They also wouldn't give us our passports so we had to get the police to get them for us. If that's not screwed over I don't know what is.

My boyfriend is still working there because we are actually honourable people & are trying to do the right thing, even though it looks like he will be fired soon too. Which is why we are looking for new jobs. I am trying to get the release letter but the school wants me to sign a form saying I won't work for any other schools, obviously I'm not going to sign it.

I am aware that being here with no degree or TESOL puts us in a difficult spot, but if worst comes to worst we will go home & get a TESOL. In fact I'm currently completing a TESOL Certificate at the moment online.

Maybe we will figure it out, maybe we won't. Thanks for the info. Hopefully LateStarter can give me some good feedback on EF, either way we'll be fine.

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

vikeologist · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 600

Johnny marbles = It is always nice if people can state which EF schools they've had good or bad experiences with. It's perfectly reasonable to believe that all EF schools are bad, but singing out a particular school will also help to warn those who are nonehteless applying to your old school. of course i realise that to do so may blow your anonymity, especially if your name is by any chance John.

Minella · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 37 Location: Turkey

I also have an offer from one of the EF branches located in Hangzhou. Has anyone lived there and/or worked for that branch of the city?

Cheers