Pros
When they fly you out they’re really professional in dealing with your visa when you arrive in China. They help you get set up so that you have everything you need and put you up in a hotel for 2 weeks whilst they help you find an apartment. You have to pay a retailer ¥4000 (£400ish) to find a place though, which comes out of your ¥10,000 advance which you pay back over 8 months out of your already tiny pay check. When you do what they want, EF are great to you and provide you with different platforms to meet other people in the same position as you.
Cons
They tell you that it’s optional to work 6 days a week for the duration of the summer and winter months, IT IS NOT OPTIONAL. You HAVE to work with only one day off and the hours are ridiculous. In the week, you’ll work from 9am-12:30pm then 5-8:30pm the same day, four days a week. Then on Saturday and Sunday you’l work 9am-6:30pm. The pay is abysmal in comparison to other learning centres. Your starting salary at EF for the first 8 months, including all deductions will leave you with around ¥10,000 per month. Take into account that your rent will be around ¥4,000 (or more depends where you live), then if you don’t like Chinese food (it is MUCH different to the Chinese food we have at home) then you’ll end up with no money by the end of most months. Other training centres will pay upwards or ¥20,000 so I would advise that you stick it out with EF for one year then move to one of those, like I did. They will try to screw you when you transfer your visa. They won’t comply with the new company and instead of giving you a transfer you have to reapply, which is long but not impossible. Money and business takes priority over education. There have been many cases where business has interfered with our teaching standards and business always takes priority. The pay gap between international teachers and local teachers is disgusting, especially considering the local teachers by and large, have ACTUAL teaching qualifications! I’m not saying don’t work for EF, just know what to expect. There’s loads more pros and cons that aren’t included here, but do a thorough search into the company prior to coming. I advise you use EF to come to China, complete your first year contract then transfer to another company.
