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EF (Education First)

Engaged employer

YEAR OF HELL!!! - EF English Teacher EF (Education First) Employee Review

1.0
Jul 29, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

When I first started working at EF things were great. Staff were friendly, helpful and working in environment was great.

Cons

After a few months working at EF, things went wrong and you get to really see how things work. The Chinese managers (Centre manager and Regional manager) only care about money. They sell old courses when we should be selling the new existing course just because they need to get rid of books. We are promised National holidays, however we are forced to work on those days. Once you complain about anything, the Chinese managers like to be spiteful and try and get you to work on your days off. Out of spite, we worked on a 6 day schedule for an extra month when we should have been working 5 days a week. Pay was late, and bonus was paid two weeks late after several reminders, even though they had the money in the safe which is in the office. They find any excuse to take money from your salary. If you are friends with the right staff then you are protected at work, otherwise they will screw you over. I know Chinese staff who have been fired as other Chinese staff have created lies to work their way up to manager positions. Foreign and local staff are overworked and under-paid. The air conditioners are turned off and after several complaints that the office is too hot to work in at 37 degrees tehy have allowed us to switch on the air conditioners. However, it is now set on warm temperature and we are expected to work in an office that is above 35 degrees Celsius. The Course consultant staff tend to be malicious, back-stabbing, gossiping and money-minded who do anything to get a sell and even if its at the expense of others jobs. So if you wish to work at EF and have a year of hell, where you are exploited, used, under-paid EF is the best place for you. All they care about is money, not education!

Explore other reviews about EF (Education First)

5.0
May 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Fun place to work at. Lots of opportunities especially early on in a career.

Cons

Sometimes salary is not as competitive as other places in Boston area.

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EF (Education First) Response
1mo
Well this is what it's all about! Early career opportunities while having fun along the way is a big part of what we hope people experience working at EF, and we are happy to hear this in your reflection. Thank you for sharing your note on compensation as well. We review our compensation packages regularly to make sure they align with our industry standards, and we appreciate your perspective on that.
4.0
Jun 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You get to choose your tour and recruit the students you want to bring. The paid chaperone ratio is 6:1, so it is very manageable. The tours are great and the local experts are wonderful.

Cons

Company support is variable. There is high turnover and new consultants are very sales motivated and don't always get the nuances of your school or community group. I have had some WONDERFUL concusltants, but they have always been promoted before I get to work with them again.

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