If you're looking for English teaching jobs in China, and are tired of your small, unreliable school, you might consider submitting your resume to one of the major training centres around China. Although a great many expats worry that submitting to a contract with a major corporation would mean the end of freedom and fun, they do have a great deal to offer to experienced teachers looking for reliable, well-paid work. Multinational schools also offer something more casual schools do not: a next step after teaching in China.

To those who remain at small institutions where teachers feel they have more control over the classroom, names like English First and Disney conjure up images of overworked and under-stimulated drones repeating lesson plans written thousands of miles away. A lot of this stems from the increased accountability associated with big institutions: irresponsibility has consequences, unlike some schools run by Chinese businessmen that expect their teachers to do the bare minimum and then leave.

Teachers at these schools tend to be more qualified, with at least two years of experience, a TEFL certificate and a bachelor's degree. Salaries vary greatly from city to city.

1) English First (EF)

Established in 1965, English First is the world's largest privately-owned education company, and it shows. Teachers are provided with books, manuals and multimedia equipment, and a week of training before they are allowed to teach class.

With such resources at teachers' hands, it's no wonder full-time contracts are famously 40 hours a week, much more than any other. This is usually divided into 20 teaching and 20 office hours, although teachers may be asked to work more if the need arises. These office hours often include "life clubs," which are activity-based lessons, like English corners, that can range from watching a movie to discussing a book to cooking lessons. These are planned by the teacher.

Expectations at EF are high, and teachers work long hours. The real reason some people stay is the mobility it implies. English First operates in 51 countries, and transfers are not uncommon. Upward mobility is another appeal: a few years of faithful teaching and event organising can mean a managerial position that is more highly paid and looks great on a resume. If you're really looking for a "China experience," a place like EF might be too time-consuming. If, however, you want to invest in opportunities elsewhere, a multinational corporation might provide the bridge you need.

Pros	Cons
Good teaching resources	Long working hours
Promotion possible	Lots of lesson planning
Easy to relocate to other countries

2) Shane English

Run by Saxoncourt, a British company, Shane has a similar appeal as an international organisation. With offices in eight countries, Shane also allows some options outside of China. Most schools also pride themselves in providing modern equipment, as well as training and class observations. Few teachers report adhering strictly to the course guides provided, although all classes are organised on a timeline with exams at exact intervals. Teachers whose students consistently fall behind should not expect their contracts to be renewed. Unlike EF, Shane does offer some part-time work, but they still prefer standard, contracted full-time teachers.

An interesting benefit associated with Shane is the designated local "handler" that is in charge of attending to the needs of teachers outside the school. While most training centres are happy to provide a TA or someone who can talk to your landlord or take you to the hospital, teachers at Shane were quick to mention how useful and professional the assistance provided at the school could be.

It should be noted that this is only consistent amongst official branches of the school. Some Shane schools in China are in fact independently owned franchises. This difference can be a hidden advantage, though, since these new centres open frequently and draw on their own pool of existing talent to staff new openings.

Pros	Cons
Promotion/relocation common	Inconsistent branches
Professional caretakers	Strict time schedules

3) Wall Street Institute

Wall Street Institute offers similar appeal as an international organisation that offers mobility both upwardly and outwardly. Run by the Pearson Education group, WSI has schools in 24 countries. While their website suggests they rely more on outside hires for management level jobs, there are plenty of examples of teachers being promoted. WSI has dozens of centres around China, but most of them are in the bigger cities.

What sets Wall Street apart is its teaching method, which includes a lot of lesson reinforcement away from foreign teachers and computer based classes. When students do meet with foreign teachers, classes are small but adhere closely to the teaching guidelines provided by the company. While regular class may seem rigid, WSI has "Social Club Activities" that seem similar to those at EF, where teachers are encouraged to interact with students in a fun and creative way.

The idea of teaching essentially pre-planned classes may be a deterrent to those who prefer their own method, but newer teachers might enjoy the experience provided by using a method refined by decades of educators. Being creative in these clubs is important: students can evaluate teachers, and consistently low evaluations can lead to dismissal.

Pros	Cons
Strict class structure	Promotion/relocation possible
Centres in many other countries	Limited to large cities

4) Disney English

A Disney English training centre is exactly what you'd expect from the combination of Disney and learning English: clean, bright and colourful. The uniformed teachers are immaculate and enthusiastic, as well as professional and experienced. Officially, the school only accepts teachers with five years' experience, although this does not seem strictly enforced. The Disney Corporation only operates schools in China, although rumours of expanding the successful programme to other countries abound.

If you're against the idea of helping market the Disney brand to Chinese children through English, then there's really no reason to consider working there; you simply won't like it. Students are surrounded by Disney images, although teachers are not actually required to use them in class. Still, teachers are considered representatives of the company, and there is a certain standard of appearance and behaviour. American English is also the standard.

Disney teachers seem to be extremely well-paid. Hours are comparable to other training centres, and again there are some optional games and events that teachers may or may not be required to attend. The equipment is state of the art, and while most of the interactive material might be presented by Mickey or Winnie the Pooh, teachers are allowed a fair amount of leeway in class planning. While no specific mention was made of moving from teaching to other positions, it can't hurt to be in good with old Walt Disney.

Disney is a prime example of what working at a major centre means: higher expectations might mean less freedom, but the can also lead to new opportunities. While there are certainly some who can find excellent centres or programmes that suit their needs, there are others that might really benefit from what working for a multinational corporation has to offer.

Pros	Cons
Well-known, reliable brand	Code of conduct
High salary	Based on Disney brand
High-tech equipment

 

Related links
Meet the Teachers: 4 Types of Foreign Teachers in China
Teaching in China: What Can it Get You?
Hiring and Firing in China: Not What You Expected

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