I would like to respond to the posting dated 22 September 2007 regarding EF Yuyao. I have recently started working at EF Yuyao as the DoS and find the accusations both shocking and false. I would like to comment on some of the statements that were made.
1. Housing does not reflect a western accommodation I have personally been to the housing block where the teachers are accommodated and it far surpasses any accommodation I have had or even seen in the west for teachers. In fact in most cases the schools dont provide accommodation in the west.
2. It is a standard practice for teachers to pay for utilities at most schools.
3. The equipment is by no means substandard, the school provides computers, internet access, more than ample resources and a photo copier that works.
4. The management/owners of the school are very accommodating and definitely go the extra mile to make teachers life in China as comfortable as possible.
5. It is also standard practice for the visa to be cancelled when a teacher leaves the school as the school is responsible for all teachers while they are working for the school.
6. During the probation period only 7 days notice are required by either party only after that period is a months notice required. It is an expensive process hiring foreign teachers and if they terminate their contract before due date it is also standard practice for the school to deduct costs.

To sum up I would just like to say that the internet is full of unhappy teachers, in some cases the schools are to blame, but it is misleading reports like the one I am responding to that give schools a bad name. EF (English First) is a reputable organization and would never allow malpractices. I was given everything that was promised to me during the recruitment process, as for the management they are very efficient and competent.