As with most corporations there is corruption on some level or another. When you compare school teachers in the United States to us teaching in China, there is one big difference. The teachers have more power because they are members of a VERY strong and large teachers union, that is something we have not quite developed yet in China.

Now, as far as EF goes, they are not worth it.
Here is why:

1. They are bias, they are set on the British system, that is why they often ask their teacher's to have a Cambridge Certificate (CELTA)

2. They pay too low for more work. There benifits are not so good, many other Chinese companies offer a better deal.

3. The are corporate, meaning they expect you to follow their orders and do things their way, no personal teaching creativity, "Do it the EF way!"

4. They are in the business to make money, not really to teach, profits come first, so the teachers at the "bottom" of the ladder will get a lousy contract compared to if they worked for somone else in China.

If there are any good things about EF, it is that they are legally licensed in China so they can get you a working visa and permits without problems. So get them to do your visa, then runaway to another school that pays more money.....lol