I taught in South Korea, Japan and Turkey before coming to China. I have been here for almost two years and am challenged and amazed everyday by the culture and people.

If you are warning people against recruiters then you need to be more specific. These recruiters/schools/agents are not bad because the are in Jilin and, conversely, not all recruiters/schools/agents in Jilin are bad.

A better warning is, go in with your eyes open. You are not at home now, you are in China. Business is done differently here. Sometimes this means accepting different ways of doing things. Yes, very often recruiters will drop you. You don't need them to get a job, apply direct. Do your homework, search boards such as this for good companies. They are out there!!!

Demo classes are very common and, as with any job, you often have to wait for the outcome. Teaching English in China is just like a job back home in that respect. Just meeting the criteria will get your, and many others, foot in the door but this is no guarantee of success.

BTW, recruiters do not get paid if they do not fill the position and teachers should NEVER pay them!!

All in all, I have been working overseas for 6 years now in 4 different countries and China is the best place I have lived and worked so far. Just don't come here expecting an easy ride.......