More Self-Justification from Eddie

> Who in their right mind would want to paint a bulls eye on the chest
> and say, Im an agent? Agencies stay clear of forums not for fear
> but because its a useless battle. Peoples mind are already made up
> and even God cant convince them of any thing different. Therefore,
> most of agencies let you all rediscover the wheel.

> Even if you are a legitimate placement service people are going to
> shoot arrows no matter what. Every incoming teacher wants something
> for free with no accountability that would expose their common
> inabilities to adjust to culture, customs, living in a foreign land,
> and working in developing country. Some of the worst teachers in
> China are English teachers themselves. Some of the best are those who
> majored in other fields like history or elementary education. Some
> teachers are bound by Western classroom traditions instead of
> readjusting their teaching methods to reach students who are shy and
> too embarrassed to speak.

> However, for the sake of argument, I will let you guys shoot some
> arrows.

Eddie's latest exercise in self-justification should be viewed in the context of the numerous complaints against him. Check out both Dave's and Nate's. Now he's claiming to be a teacher, too? Hard to believe.

> If you go to
> http://china-tesol.com/Approved_Agents/approved_agents.html you will
> find the list of all the APPROVED agencies in China. My association,
> the IEEA, is listed there and we enjoy a wonderful record here in
> Hainan Province. Visit two online photo albums:
> http://members9.clubphoto.com/eddie466575/2727044/guest.phtml
> http://members9.clubphoto.com/eddie466575/1916667/guest.phtml Most
> of the complaints about agencies are due to teachers using the fly
> by night agencies that do nothing but take your money. They give all
> agencies a bad rap and many ESL teachers are guilty of lumping all
> agencies in barrel. I hate them myself and I know that they sell you
> to the highest bidder and then abandon you. Even I would like to
> catch them in some dark alley one night and put a good southern
> whipping on them.

> The funny thing is that teachers who do come in independently will
> still complain about schools, salary, China and living conditions,
> etc. Did an agent do this to him? No! He did it to himself yet no
> independent teacher ever says, Hey look at what I did to myself. He
> will still blame others for his lack of understanding China.

> Ive lived in China since 1993. Ive seen more than my fair share of
> teachers who were nothing but throwbacks from Western countries. Not
> only could they not survive in China but also they couldnt survive
> back home either. Many times they are the biggest grippers and
> complainers you will find on forums.

> In these forums there are a FEW teachers you could probably trust and
> theyve given good advice. The Arrogant One seems to be on top of
> things. DOS and ESL in Asia seem to have a grasp of China or Asia.
> Others Im not so sure. Be careful in whom you listen to and what you
> believe. The forums are full of misdirection and info.

> Fellow teacher in Hainan, Eddie
> www.hainan.motime.com

You don't need an agent

I am relocating to China in February and have several job offers. Deciding where to live is the biggest decision - there are thousands of jobs there and they're easy to find. If you have the qualifications to work for a university (Bachelor degree only at some, M.A. + TEFL/ESL cert/diploma for others), forget using agents. I would suggest you read this forum fully and check out the forum on Dave's ESL Cafe also if you really want to use an agent: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/index.php
University jobs are far better than jobs at language schools. Try these sights for job contacts:
http://www.chinatefl.com/
http://www.abroadchina.org/person/all.asp
http://www.tesol.net/getjob.cgi?FA=ListJobs
GOOD LUCK!

Sorry about that, Sport! Now back to business...

> Continuing on from the unanswered challenge from Arrogant One, and the
> immature ravings of both him and XI, I repeat the request. Can
> anybody out there respond with just 5 ( one will be a help )
> reliable, trustworthy Agencies or schools where we can start our ESL
> life.

================================

Let me apologize by pausing in my exchange of "immature ravings" with Madame Xi-Xi just long enough to attempt to aid Annerob's cause by daring to reiterate my original plea for ONLY FIVE names of what can be considered 100% reliable agencies which can honestly and effectively guide newcomers to a satisfying first ESL experience in China. Alas, the deafening silence we have been experiencing apparently bespeaks of a dire lack of such sources to fulfill our request. Better yet, is there any agent out there in the great abyss who will proudly speak for him/herself??? Can it be that the scads of complaints we've been reading represent the ENTIRE corps of agencies operating in the PRC's ESL scenario??? As bitter as I have been over my own past tragic experiences in China, I cannot believe that such is truly the case!

PLEASE ... someone out there: simply fulfill what SHOULD be a relatively easy request.

Many thanks.

The Arrogant One