> Hi-I'm a 32-year-old American professional looking to "change my
> life" and try teaching English in China. I have been offered a
> 1-year contract at an Elementary School in Dongguan(Guangdong
> Province). It sounds like a dream. It sounds...too good to be true. I
> am really new to this world and you all sound pretty experienced and
> as though you've had time to formulate some opinions on the life of
> an ESL teacher in Asia.
> I'm kind of starting to get "fishy" vibes about the company
> that is offering me the contract. They have a website (in Chinese, so
> I can't open it-or read it if I could)but cannot be found by doing an
> English-language internet search of their name (New Asia
> International Educational Consultancy, Ltd.). I also can not seem to
> find the school they run, Westlake Elementary School, anywhere on the
> internet. Their "American contact" appears to be a
> residential address in San Ramon, CA.
> Has anybody out there dealt with them. Are they reputable,
> above-board, professional, etc? I just feel a need to be a little
> more certain before I sign any contracts.
> Thanks a bunch,
> Cirene

Cirene, I have never heard of them, but then, there are thousands of schools in China.
Definately Google them ( www.google.ca ), and you will come up with any information on them, good or bad. Contact their american contact, and find out what the deal is, and why the contact is in the States.
What kind of questions are they asking, and are they asking you to sign a contract in advance? Do they want you to send them any documents, or originals of something?

If you do decide to go for it, then great. However, keep in mind that once you get there, if they do not hold up their end of the bargain, you can leave, and leave immediately. Once you are in China, people will be throwing jobs at you. Check out the local foreign hangouts, and you'll have a new job within 24 hours. There's always a back up plan.

Good luck,
Da Yan Jing