I worked for EF Dalian for only three months, and that was more than enough for me. EF Dalian (and perhaps EF in general) is a great place to teach and improve as a teacher, in theory. In reality, the system only works for certain kinds of people. I was not one of those. And it seemed that all the teachers at the school weren't either. Free spirits and misfits are drawn to teach overseas and it is those people who might find EF soul crushing. That being said, you might be one of those special people cut out for the EF way of life and actually be content working for the world famous English First.

Contrary to what some EF veterans and current employers may tell you, you will not be shielded from the marketing side of EF. You will be required to teach demo classes and meet with parents and potential students to drive home or finalize sales. You will be a salesperson. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you don't mind selling a product, then EF might be for you. If you can deal with the idea of delivering an education product to clients instead of teaching students then EF might be for you.

This is the corporate world of cram schools (sometimes called language mills). Corporate means there will be a shiny product, shiny uniforms, developed teaching systems and lesson plans, technologically advance teaching tools, and a higher salary and better benefits. Corporate also means bureaucracy, high expectations (sometimes unreasonably so) from parents of students, and managers who are under a lot of pressure to uphold the brand's reputation and deliver a good product. The managers I've seen did a pretty good job hiding the stress that their superiors put them under. Most of the time. So congratulations to them!

If you have an education philosophy that you acquired before you came to EF, do your best to forget it. The EF educational philosophy is set in stone and dictates how the teaching materials were created and how the powers that be want you to administer the teaching materials. If you have no prior ideas about education then EF might be for you. If you are able to let EF mold you into their perfect teacher you might be happy there. The EF teaching philosophy isn't inherently flawed, although some parts of it are. (A three year old doesn't about pleasing the teachers. EF, have you actually met any three year olds in the context of a group of other three year olds?)

This is China. Face value is the only thing that matters. This is more of a China thing than an EF thing. EF China has to cater to the clients. It's business, nothing personal.

As other reviewers have said, you will be required to work hard. (Which is not a bad thing.) And frequently fill in for teachers who are sick or on vacation, sometimes with not much prior warning. (Sometimes with a few days warning). As an EF teacher, you are expected to fill in with no argument and do a stellar job. There are high expectations and standards. As mentioned before, the managers are expected to uphold these standards under any circumstance.

Despite the product being shiny, the practical, everyday resources are not always there. Flashcards? Textbooks? Crayons? Projectors? Hit or miss. This might be more of an office mismanagement/lack of budget rather than a systematic problem but I feel that it should be noted.

The teachers and managers were all kind, generous, and accommodating. I mean this. Everyone I met while working for EF Dalian were quality people whom I felt cared for me and their job and I, in turn, cared for them. (Am I a naive softie? Maybe. Probably.) I did make some good friends whom I still keep in touch with.

Here is a sad thing. I feel that deep down the managers and other "lifers" of EF Dalian really care about the students and their families, the teachers, and education in general, but they are too busy being yesmen and corporate drones to make good on their promises. I feel that perhaps the world is losing some good quality educators and education managers to the corporate cram school machine.