This reminds me of the so called "parties" that we had at Aston when I was working there for them in China. All forgein teachers were expected to attend and the Chinese teachers were ordered to attend! The foreign teachers had to endure hours of "how do I improve my English" and having to talk to children who were pushed in front of you by their parents. This goes on for hours and hours! Oh course the food and drinks that were promised to us either never show up or were in such short supply that some teachers would dash out and get carry out and beer to endure the pain till we could escape with our CT friends. These schools go to such exterme measures to use all of their teachers and I really feel for the Chinese teachers and how they are used there at every chance by Aston. This is one of many ways that your school will use you for its endless promos that they do. You can avoid these "parties" or go and put up with it.