Comments for TEFL School Reviews

Comment on Text-And-Talk Academy Thailand by Jack

Jack — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:45:44 +0000

No, I’m not in the pocket of anybody.

Comment on AEON Japan by LB

LB — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:06:44 +0000

I was wondering about this, but I’ve worked in many different countries for various purposes, and even the negative reviews of Aeon don’t seem too bad with the exception of the informational. It’s close to 10 hours long, and that is the first day not including the next day of an interview. Anyway it is something to consider, but for the most part a lot of what was mentioned is Japanese culture. You normally don’t ask for your overtime pay, also it isn’t unusual if you see people not consulting a labor union beforehand. Anyway like all companies make sure your contract is signed in the US, make sure you have a lawyer present, make sure you get in touch with a labor union in Japan and see if you can join. And this will pretty much ensure that you are protecting yourself. Also I always advise people to do some job hunting and look into other fields if you just used an eikaiwa to get into Japan. I know plenty of APU Alumni who did jobs like Aeon just so they can change their student visa over to a work visa, and extend their time in Japan for proper job hunting. A lot of people just think the only thing you’re allowed to do is teach english, despite having limited japanese language abilities. I was able to do and get experience in a number of different jobs outside of english teaching. Anyway Aeon seem legit, but I do have a sense that they will try to take advantage ofa foreign teacher that doesn’t educate themselves on contract and labor laws. Aeon isn’t like Toyota or Honda in Japan either so taking them to court can be done if contract isn’t honored. Also if it was signed on US soil you can take the company to court in the US. As that is where you made the agreement. Depending on what state you signed it in. Anyway BS is everywhere so be sure to protect yourselves at all times.

Comment on Joy Children’s Language School China by Valeri

Valeri — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 13:44:01 +0000

WOW! Sorry to hear about the problems many of you have experienced. Over the past year I have been at Joy Children’s Language School in Wu Chang (2 hours south of Harbin) and I really like the school. At the school in Wu Chang I think the curriculum is great, the Chinese teachers are wonderful, the majority of the children are respectful and precious and I am, honestly, treated like a celebrity. I would teach in Wu Chang, China for a hundred years before going back to the USA to a room full of spoiled, disrespectful children. I LOVE WU CHANG!

Comment on Wall Street Institute Saudi Arabia by Toby

Toby — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:07:46 +0000

Is there still a Wall Street Institute? Wasn’t it incorporated by Al Falak?

Comment on The European Center Saudi Arabia by DaVe

DaVe — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:56:07 +0000

The teaching load is supplemented with their films, tactile activities and word quizzes. The young manager guy (not Aiden) there got people to co-write his placement test. He was kind of nuts but a good person.

Comment on Suzhou Foreign Language School China by dmb

dmb — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:39:46 +0000

Good pay and short hours but management is absolutely TERRIBLE. Thay have no ideas, plans or even knowledge of running of a school. The Chinese teachers want nothing to do with the foreign teachers. Keeping us out of meetings, any pertinent information regarding the the English classes that we are responsible for and making sure that any changes that are made are not made privy to us until the last possible moments; most of the time minutes before class or when the change is to be implemented. The students have no discipline and we are constantly told “this is the Chinese way”. The students literally run around during breaks, up and down the stairs, back and forth; scream and yell answers during lessons not in any sort of orderly fashion. When we try to tell the upper management all they say is “when in Rome, do as the Romans” as if this American quote is supposed to smooth over all the management problems. YOU may be asking: Why can’t we get control of the classroom. Any third year bachelor seeking student seeking a degree in education will tell you that classroom management in some cases is the other 50% needed in a classroom that will literally make or break that specific year and relationship with the students. Because the Chinese don’t believe in discipling or “managing” the students, chaos is rampant. For a true educator it is very disappointing. Moreover, this school does not buy ESL material but rather the English material for English speaking children. They somehow have diluted their thinking and believe that buying English material will somehow magically make them English speakers. It takes a simple person to know and understand that this is not the case; if it was then why don’t more Chinese people actually know English. They don’t; at most they know a few phrases and broken English. Honestly, I would steer clear of Suzhou or any of the schools related to it. I know its unfortunate but perhaps being in Shanghai or Beijing is a better choice for those wanting to truly help and aide in education of the masses

Comment on Joy Children’s Language School China by Henry

Henry — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:43:24 +0000

I have worked as an English teacher at The 29th Joy English School located at Dong Hu road, Yue Xiu District 29th joy chindren english school. The school is run by sincere and dedicated school administrators. Durimg my period there, I found that it is difficult to run a school and they have done a good job. It is not easy for them to pay a high salary but their sincerity and devotion will impress you.

Comment on Aston English School China by Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:03:53 +0000

I’m working at Tongchuan Aston right now and I really love the people here. I feel like they do absolutely everything they can to make me feel comfortable and address my needs with teaching questions. The apartment sucks but I just mentioned it to one teacher and the next day the manager came to my house and sked me to make a list of the broken things.

I had a great experience with the trainers at Xi’an and a great experience actually working for Aston. Even though my school is a franchise school. True story. It’s pretty chill. But! They don’t really give you chinese “lessons” they just translate some stuff for you, and there was no chinese dictionary. Get yourself a chinese learning thing you’ll be thankful

Comment on Suzhou Foreign Language School China by Emily

Emily — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:29:15 +0000

I have visited this school and known something about this school. Ithink all the negative posters are those people who have already fired by the school. so they complained. But there are still a lot of foreign teachers working there. Why haven’t they been fired? Have you thought about that ? And many foreign teachers stay in this school for many years, and they got prizes every year. Why do you go to this school, isn’t that because this school can provide you with a good salary, a comfortable place to live for free, the teachers and the students respect you , and you can show your ability very well in this school. Think what the school provides you , and how you behave yourself ! Some foreign teachers always get drunk at night and go back to the school very late during the night. And some teachers always take different ladies to the dormity that live in school. What place do you think China is, What place do you think the school is! When you get paid, when Chinese people respect you, at the same time , you should respect the Chinese. Why don’t you think about the good aspect, When you get injured , the teachers send you to the hospital late at night, When your passport is out of date, the teachers helps you to make it valid.You lost your money in your salary , that’s the punishment , you always go to the classes very late, all the students are waiting for you ; You have no teaching experience, and at same time , you don’t work hard. the students can’t learn anything from you ! so you must get fired. Don’t complain any more. if you want to live comfortably in China , and you have to work , so please work hard. Easy and comfortable life won’t fall down from the sky.

Comment on YBM Education Korea by YBM ELS

YBM ELS — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:47:14 +0000

I also worked at one of the YBM adult institutes. Here’s what I thought.

First, there are some good points about YBM.

1. They always pay on time. (Very good point)
2. You get to wear the tie your grandma gave you for Christmas. (may not pertain to you)

Okay then. Let move on to some problem spots.

1. The pay really sucks. After you pay rent and utilities and they take our a deposit from your first 3 paychecks, you may find yourself very thin in the wallet in a very short time.

2. Really weird hours. You should be at the hagwon by 6:30 to 6:40 in the AM! I’m talking everyday! And you might just find yourself finishing work at 10PM (you might want to change might with usually). Go home, eat, and sleep right away. A very boring simple life. The amazing thing is how the managers and staff are astonished at the possibility of be late from time to time. Of course, they never work from 6:40am to 10pm.

3. A waste of a year. I had plans to travel around the country. Didn’t happen. You never get more than the occasional 3 days off. And even then, you might be called in to do some randome interviews. From beginning to end, you WILL not have time to travel.

There are more personal things I can get into, but I think you get the drift. One thing I can promise you is that if you do work at YBM, you will find yourself green with envy when hearing the public school teachers talk about their Thailand plans for their long vacation (several long vacations each year). Or when you see their amazement that your housing is not 100% paid for. Or that you weren’t able to save a dime.

There are worse jobs, but there are many many many better ones too.

That’s it.