Pros
I have been working only a few short weeks, but I think DaDaABC is a good company to work for. I like that as a an independent contractor, you still get at least half pay if you are on standby at your computer (Do not have classes during your contracted hours). I like that DaDa arranges classes for you versus having to always wait for someone to pick you as a teacher. It's a great benefit that you can receive TESOL training for free through DaDa after completing six months. The students are absolutely adorable!
Cons
Some cons regarding DaDa is how payment is set up. After passing your interview and demo class, you receive a contract with your salary in RMB. As an American, this does not help me at all. Conversion rates change every day! Say for example you review your contract and convert the RMB to USD (or whatever currency applies to you) just because it was, for example, $21 per hour the date your contract was issued, it might be $19 the next day and $15 the day after. Providing a salary in the teacher's currency would negate the conversation rate changes. As I write this, I currently make $0.30 USD less than when I first started. You can never truly know what your paycheck will be the following month with the changing conversation rates. The 2 minute breaks between classes (if you're fully booked - which I have not been completely booked yet) can be brutal. If you're fully booked during a three hour work day, using the bathroom isn't an option. I haven't been paid yet, but the international fees is definitely not a pro. Many people mentioned this previously and I have not personally been through it, but some of the penalties DaDa has would be 100% illegal in the U.S. However, they can get away with it because if it's legal in China, then it doesn't matter if it's illegal somewhere else. Taking a vacation or having an emergency doesn't matter to DaDa, you miss two classes in a month, no matter what circumstance, you'll be penalized.
