The problem I have is that you are choosing to re-name , because most of these 'agents' in fact call themselves schools, don't they?

Chinese agents oftentimes call themselves 'schools' because they want to attract more job applicants. Chinese agents aren't naive - they know that foreigners are wary of working for agents, quite rightly so, btw. It's the agents who are doing the re-naming, not me.

I should also mention recruiters. They get one-off payments from Chinese employers for introducing FTs. The main difference between recruiters and agents is that agents pay the FTs monthly after deducting commission from the monies paid to them by the workplaces where the FTs were sent. In contrast, the workplaces where the recruiters introduced the FTs pay the FTs direct.

The problem I have is that you are choosing to re-name , because most of these 'agents' in fact call themselves schools, don't they?

According to this forum China is covered in Training Centres who don't actually train any-body in the accepted sense that such a term is customarily used for ,like, 'Teachers' Training College'

In relation to one of your other posts, I will reply re Chinese employers:

1) state-run educational institutions
2) private - state-run parnerships, eg a privately-owned college linked to a state-run university
3) private high schools, colleges and universities
4) private training centers, eg EF, Aston.
5) agents

I should also mention recruiters. They get one-off payments from Chinese employers for introducing FTs. The main difference between recruiters and agents is that agents pay the FTs monthly after deducting commission from the monies paid to them by the workplaces where the FTs were sent. In contrast, the workplaces where the recruiters introduced the FTs pay the FTs direct.

In my opinion, categories 1 and 5 are the best. Then 2 and 3. I think 4 is the worst. I should add that many agents are sharks, but there are some good ones. Best to work at a category 1 place, even though you are there on behalf of an agent, or get there via a recruiter.
My preference is to be at a category 1 place via an agent with a teaching assistant supplied to me free by the agent, and in a county or a small town.
I've been employed in every category. I've been employed both direct and via recruiters in categories 1 -5. In category 4, I was employed direct.

I have never witnessed them acting in a racist way to any-body irrespective of colour- but if I am wrong, I am bound to say it doesn't concern me one little tiny bit.

there is your problem right there, see no evil, hear no evil

Yes, I'm sure you have. [edited]

OK, be an appeaser and GW if you want. It seems you are only concerned if your white face is acceptable to the students. You sound like a wannabe Chinese to me! Why you have any respect for the Chinese and their bankrupt "culture" is a mystery to me!

[edited]

Wrong again. Being an appeaser is the worst thing an FT can do. Several teachers pulling a runner is the perfect way to punish a dishonest Chinese EFL employer. They lose face, they are inconvienienced, they lose money, and it is annoying for them. They will get what they deserve!

Says you! You like to tell others what to do don't you? Best watch this preoccupation of people getting what they deserve, because what goes around comes around. I don't care about this Chinese knowledge you brag about; this losing face thing-the face I am more concerned about is the face shown when people can't face up to a decent days work, and waste their time in China complaining, instead of making their faces fit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Atcham

What is proper london style atcha, San Mig? I googled atcha and came up with the link above-does it have a connection?

If it's intolerable, run rabbit run and don't look back. Most such dreadful employers in China do not dare to make troubles for foreign teachers who have been found to have departed in secret.

The trouble is, in my experience, most FT moonlight flitters have such a low tolerance threshhold. I think it wiser to advise them to not act like snivelling young prima donnas and finish what they started. You develop self-respect and a strong character by putting up with a bit of grief and riding it out. Don't live your life by being a pansy. I'm sure my new chum, San Mig, will wholeheartedly support my approach? Not that he's a pansy, he just usually disagrees with me before the ink is dry.