EF Education First Reviews

Cons

- EF isn't for everyone; and in particular, folks who are looking for lots of structure and a clear path to promotion on an annual or semi-annual basis. People who aren't a good EF fit probably won't be happy here.

Cons

During the busy season, hours can be long.

Cons

Little movement available, salary does not compensate for the work you put in

Cons

Poorly managed and inconsistent administration

Cons

There is not a great work/life balance. Those that are incredibly successful are working nights, weekends, etc to achieve their success

Cons

- compensation is low vs. market (but benefits are good)

Cons

Many people feel underpaid for the amount that they work - and many feel constantly overworked. Management lacks transparency in their expectations for you, and this isn’t just high level managers, but direct superiors. It’s very easy to be suckered in by the “paid travel” perk, but it is very possible that you won’t travel at all. Finally, bias and cliques are very alive here, and if the “big happy family” idea seems to good to be true, you’re right. Overall, EF presents a very attractive picture to younger applicants in particular, as they hire them in large groups to compensate for the high turnover. Remember that this is a place of business and has its faults, stressors, and ugly secrets just like anywhere else.

Cons

You work where you live so you never quite have peace of mind. If the school staff are disorganized, makes the RA's job more difficult. No real room to move up unless you get pulled into school staff position. Even then, you work really hard for not a lot of money.

Cons

Underpay employees
Uses benefits tactics to underpay employees
Very limited career growth
Too much techology and tools
Very unorganized and poor interdepartmental communication

Cons

IN MY WILDEST IMAGINATION, I COULD NOT IMAGINE A WORSE COMPANY TO WORK FOR.
Yeah, you'll get a visa, but YOU WILL NOT GET ANYTHING ELSE. Here is what you will receive:
- Terrible compensation, especially when compared to other positions in the city/company. EF preys on newcomers to China that do not know the value of their labour/time.
- Terrible management. Your managers will have been promoted to their roles simple because they were the only ones to last 5+ years with EF. ALL are incompetent; none will help you.
- "Advancement opportunities" are a complete and utter joke. They will tell you how 'valued' and 'appreciated' you are, how 'invested' in your future they are; they're not. A huge part of their corporate culture is stringing people along with empty promises of promotion.
- Once you leave the company, even if you complete your contract, you are dead to them. They will not help in in any way, shape or form.
- There was a reason that out of the 12 teachers at my centre that were there when I arrived, only 2 of us completed our contracts: our manager. At no point during my time with the company did anyone from upper management make any effort to improve conditions. Complaints were blatantly ignored (multiple conversations by myself and others with upper management figures were disregarded and ineffective). When I requested an interview with HR at the end of my contract, I never heard back.
- Oh, and I have to ensure that I mention that your centre WILL HAVE NO HR. If you have ANY complaints, concerns, questions, your resource is supposed to be your "recruiter" (who I can almost guarantee will have quit a few months into your contract), which leaves you with very few options. Your recruiter will be based in Shanghai and unable to affect change in another city and your manager is absolutely free to ignore whatever it is you have to say.
Ultimately: There are SO MANY INCREDIBLE FIRMS TO WORK FOR IN CHINA THAT ARE NOT THIS ONE. Do not get caught up in the, "McDonald's of Training Centres" and a) kid yourself about a future within the company and b) sell yourself short. There is no reason for you, a qualified Native-speaker, to have to settle for working here. You can do better; I HOPE YOU DO BETTER.