As an alumnus of EMW (East Meets West) I'd just like to take a few minutes to recommend this Education management company to those of you who are considering the jump to China as the next step (or your first step) in an ESL teaching career.
Teaching in China, in any setting, be it a gig in the public education system, university/college or the training schools or shades of grey between, is by no means straightforward. This results from the fact that socio-cultural norms and workplace mindsets that exist between east and west coupled with the unpredictable effects of your first few months in the country can be vexing indeed . One needs only peruse the TESL blogosphere to read harrowing accounts about the inconsistent practices of Chinese schools, recruiters and educational management companies which do not live up to their promises to get an idea of this. But, that's the bad news.
EMW, with very few exceptions, should not be tarred with that brush.
I feel confident in recommending EMW because the mix of their management team somewhat reflects the company name. Though largely homegrown, the staff is young and outward looking and aware that foreign teacher needs are often slightly particular on several counts - from worry-free visa processing to issues such as receiving one's pay on time. Everything being equal, that is not a problem because EMW pays you and not the school. On the front end of the organization, you will likely be contacted by Jennifer Jin, Karen Li or Feifei Guo who are extremely hard working and dedicated to the needs of the prospective teachers in the visa application and travel phase of getting you to China. In the field, once you are here, offering any reassurance you may ever need, is Maggie Whale, an experienced "China-hand", as the expression goes. Her unflappable Kiwi sense of identifying situations which need a) intervening by the Beijing office, b) tactful assertiveness on the part of the teacher, or, … c) when to just let things roll off your back, has saved the sanity of more than a few EMW teachers. Having moved on after an initial year with EMW, I soon found out the hard way what it is like to have no western-oriented counsel when promises are not kept by an employer.
Unlike some competitors, EMW offers an initial welcoming orientation that is useful, and leaves teachers with basic resource materials. Although the office is in Beijing (a minor drawback) somewhat removed from most of the schools which are located in the lower (Eastern) Yangzte River basin, they are nevertheless available (during business hours). I believe that Maggie is continuing her policy of checking in regularly by internet, if not by phone, with all of its teachers under contract .
Yes, the pay offered by EMW is decidedly mid-range, but it is still almost twice what your experienced Chinese teaching colleagues earn. One must remember that one might face accepting more teaching hours (many more in undefined ways) in order to earn more money. This negotiation has largely, been taken care of for you by EMW. From my experience, having about twenty teaching hours a week is about right for anyone who sees themselves as a relatively serious ESL teacher, and yet it allows you some time to rest, acclimatize and then look around.
Nuts and bolts practicalities - EMW's Contract breaking provisions are clearly specified and their reduced salary clause is certainly less severe than some contracts where employers can withhold last month's pay entirely and cancel a teacher's status in the country forthwith - This can be expensive and frightening, to say the least. It would seem to me that EMW works hard to act as a liaison with the employer to prevent such unpleasant situations from happening.
In my experience, it was a pleasant bonus indeed to be reimbursed for my initial flight costs within six weeks of my arrival. For example, this allowed me a financial cushion to purchase a few amenities and save for travel during the Spring Festival (in January/February). Speaking of bonuses - the contract completion bonus is a welcome boost at the end of the teaching year (in addition to the cost of a flight home, if applicable) The fact that this bonus is paid out whether you return to EMW for a second year or not, is an uncommon courtesy in the otherwise "thrifty" Chinese English language education market. And , … EMW teachers do return. At least six or seven teachers are apparently in their third year with the company, and one intrepid veteran continues after six years teaching in the classrooms of the Middle Kingdom.
In sum, I would recommend an arrangement with EMW for anyone considering their first teaching job in China, whether you are in your twenties - fresh out of school, or as someone in their fifties looking to put a cap on a career in education. Having a manageable teaching load and the security of knowing that someone will stand up for you creates real peace of mind for anyone teaching in the new China, because there is no denying that you will face challenges.
-Drew Clarke (certified teacher from Canada) was posted at Beijing LuHe Middle School for the 2008-09 year to complete an FEC and TOEFL tutoring contract that EMW had with this prestigious school.