Job Discussion Forums

[bamagirl821]

Does anyone have an opinion (good or bad) about the EF Schools in Shenzhen? Just looking for some general, honest info.

Thanks!

[Jaime1]

don't go, trust me. See my previous post for long and detailed reasons.

[nickpellatt]

I think the only valid opinion, will be from someone who has worked at/or currently works at the branch you are referring to. You will also need to sus that person out and see if their opinions are valid and can be trusted.

I have a friend who has recently gone to work in an EF school (not in SZ) and he speaks well of it so far. What he tells me goes against the general consensus of opinion about EF from members here.

[TexasHighway]

nickpellat wrote:

[nickpellatt]

Hmm, I am talking about someone I know personally and who has around 4 years EFL experience in China. He posts here too, although not often. So Ill stand by my earlier post.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Different EF's are run differently. Some EF's offer nice salaries for the more experienced and most educated among us (14,000+) and some offer lower wages for those who have little experience or education (5000~).

Your best bet is to ask people who have already worked at the EF in question. Different people are going to tell you different things.

For example, if you like a beer every now and then, but the person you are asking is a super-duper no-holds-barred holier-than-thou individual, they are going to call everyone 'immature' for going with the flow and having a beer and BBQ on a warm summer evening with the guys (or girls).

That person, who probably doesn't like China to begin with, is going to hype up any little problem with EF.

Conversely, you will have those who have it in their own personal best interest to prop up EF because they are the DOS, or simply want some new friends in their lonely small city.

Ask around.

Do I like KFC? Generally, yes. Their salads are great!

Do I like KFC in China? No, I don't. I don't like the selection and find it too greasy, not crispy enough.

I worked for EF, and I had a good time. I just didn't like the salary. I was offered a DOS position in Beijing and I turned it down. The salary was all right, but they needed me to spend a few thousand dollars to leave the country and come back.

I don't pay for jobs, and was disappointed at their inability to do what other schools seemed to be able to do.

Good luck whichever side of the coin you sit on.

[seamallowance]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

Took me a full minute to get the joke.



c:/

[johntpartee]

Took me 30 seconds, GWOW. BUT you prompted me. We're dating ourselves.

[Non Sequitur]

Excuse my ignorance, but are all EF schools franchises?
Or are some ccompany owned?

[Non Sequitur]

ooops sorry about typo.
'The King's Speech' has really had an effect on me.

[Mister Al]

Maybe about six EFs are company owned, all in BJ, SH and GZ I believe.

[Non Sequitur]

I wonder how they stack up compared to the franchises?

[chinaroman]

EF, is obviously a franchise chain school and all of them will be different, since they are operated by different owners. The EF FT's in my town love it, while I have friends in Indonesia and Beijing working for EF that are miserable. Hit or miss I guess. As for any job abroad I have learned (the hard way) that it is a good idea to get contact info for past and present teachers to get a better feel for the situation.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I'll chime in.

I worked for EF in the past, and I have nothing but good experiences. I found the pay low, so I left. But I was treated well.

That said, I know others who worked at EF and had nothing but horror stories.

Different locations. Different stories.

I have had awesome service at McDonald's, and lousy service at McDonald's. Depends on who is running it.