> ==============================================

> Dear Dee,

> What you say about playboys and playgirls in the guise of
> "teachers" is, unfortunately, quite true. But, I'm certain
> you would also agree that the majority of individuals venturing to
> the PRC are qualified, sincere, and anxious to get started in an
> exciting new career phase.

YES, I do agree there are many great teachers coming here. I still have to believe that or else how would I ever trust anyone i don't know.

>Of course, it is the few insincere
> individuals who make it most difficult for any educator to be wholly
> accepted by an equally professional employer ... at least, at first.
> It is usually in the beginning stages of one's stay in the PRC that
> most of the more serious problems arise, but the average employer
> probably doesn't want to hear of such difficulties -- not while his
> "imported
> expert" is on trial. Result: too many complaints in the initial
> stages of the contract brands the instructor as a "whiner."

IM not totally sure i understand your point here. I am referring to the "teachers" that do come here & openly state they have another agenda. Then complain to the hard working teachers that they need "help" because they don't know how to prepare. OR those who teach only as a means of finding a girlfriend or wife. (Or I suppose it could be boyfriend or husband). I'm talking about those who are "whiners". Not those just labeled as such. As long as I have been at my school I have seen the staff bend over backwards, going totally against the Chinese way of dealing with employees, and doing everything in their power to make life comfortable for the teachers. Of course there are cultural differences, and let's face it, if the owners & bosses of these schools had perfect English, they would be teaching themselves.

Teachers coming here have to be ready, willing & able to accept the lack of perfect communication while in a foreign country. There are mature ways of dealing with it, not just fighting before you know what you are fighting about.

> #@&! That's a battle the teacher is not likely to win. Therefore, the
> choice is to either stick it out or abandon the contract and attempt
> to return home ... provided, of course, he/she had the good sense to
> purchase a round-trip ticket before leaving. CRIMINY, Folks! We're
> reading about this business much too often to serve The PRC's
> national English learning program any REAL credibility. OF COURSE,
> there are the honorable schools and agencies, but, despite all the
> research and telephone calls, THEY'RE IN CHINA and THE TEACHERS ARE
> WHERE THEY ARE! In MY own case last year, I can well recall having
> received almost constant mail and several telephone calls -- even one
> that cost ME $93 -- of corroboration from my
> "employer-to-be," only to discover (a) I was stranded at
> the Hong Kong Airport and (b) eventually forced to find my own way to
> Schenzhen (including a taxi once I got there) ... all at MY OWN
> expense. That was only the BEGINNING. I won't go into any more of the
> gory details, but I assure you that, at age 66, with a splendid
> 13-year international record in ESL, I had NEVER before suffered
> anywhere near the remorse and economic loss I was forced to endure
> due to an employment-motivated decision. Had I done all the RIGHT
> things in preparation for that position? YES. Had I been treated as a
> professional? You ALREADY know the answer to that one.

That is a terrible situation you have endured. I dont know if i would have come out of it so well.

> As for "trusting your gut" when it comes to choosing an ESL
> employer in the PRC ... hmmm ... that's a tough one. BUT, WAIT! I've
> got it! How asinine I was not to have seen it! (1) You select the
> schools who present the best offers and conditions; (2) You prepare a
> generalized 2 to 3-page detailed questionnaire for them to fill out
> and return; and (3) At the end of such questionnaire you write, in
> BOLD print mind you ...
> "WILL THE REAL CROOKS PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND IDENTIFY
> YOURSELVES?"

Too bad that doesn't work. It is a gamble either way. For teachers & for schools. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that we only end up with the best in both worlds.

> (Oy vay!)

> Good luck.
> Ellis

Good luck to you too. I hope you have found an honest reliable school to settle in.