Job Discussion Forums

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Does anyone know what it is like to work for this particular division of EF? Or heard anything about it?

stinkytofu · Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Posts: 104

Hopefully, with these new EF mini centers you'll only have to put up with half crap of the regular EF centers, like the worst lesson manuals ever.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

What exactly do you mean by mini-center? Do you mean a specialized center like a corporate training center?

voltaire · Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 2:03 am Post subject:

Mini-Center!? Confused

Yeah, what is that? Like an ESL take-out window? I imagine little Dunkin Donut miniatures for sale and chop chop service.

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

OK, all I know it that they are non-franchised EF school for adults in some of the 2nd tier cities. This is how they are described on their website:

'EF Mini-Centers are focused on real-life application of English. Beyond the classroom, the unique focus of EF Mini-Centers is on organizing and running elaborate Life Clubs for our students.'

It then goes on to describe examples of activities they do with students to immerse them in real life English, such as grape picking and whiskey tasting! Mmm, could be fun, could be a giant pain. I'm not sure.

This is pretty much all I can find out about them - I think they are a relatively new thing, so I was hoping to hear some experiences working at them!

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

If they are 'non-franchised' I guess they must be company-owned right?

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

I think they will have sets built into the center for example a bank teller counter, a mini supermarket... I imagine they focus on role plays in practical situations. I'm not 100% sure but that's what it sounds like.

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

mmm.. possibly. I interviewed a few days ago and presumed I was going to be told about their young learner centres(which I wouldn't have taken) or smart schools but she started going on about these mini-centres for adults. I thought great - adults! Then she started going on about life clubs, cultural based activities etc. and I started thinking that it sounds like an all year round summer camp for adults. I think teaching them English for practical real life situations sounds good but I would want plenty of proper classroom based lessons too, I guess I wait and see if they give me an offer on Monday and find out more! I've been offered a position with Wall Street too so I might be better off going with them if I want to teach adults.

TexasHighway · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 779

An EF Mini-center and a regular EF sounds comparable to the differences between a McCafe and a regular McDonalds. They both put out tasteless, assembly line products.