I have worked for Aston Lianyungang for 6 months now, and I must say that I agree with the positive comments to this posts. I have also heard the stories of past teachers deeds and misdeeds along withe their complaints, but I can truly say that they do not describe the situation today. Of course there are some misunderstandings and disagreements from time to time, but these are all solved with a smile and civilised discussion, and most of them derive from cultural differences rather than bad behaviour. We have a very competent foreign teacher manager who fights for the employers rights if thats needed, and a chinese manager who does her best to make every day a fun day! The owner is absolutely NOT the cruel buisnesswoman the original post makes her out to be. She has been nothing but nice to me as long as I have been here, and I have not heard anyone talk bad about her or how she treats her employees. I have had some experience, both first hand and as a bystander, with Chinese employers before, and the atmosphere here is the best I have ever encountered.

When that is said, this is not a public school. It is a business in a very competitve environment that people depend on to make a living, and like all other businesses it depends on an income. Making the students and parents happy is therefore also a part of the job, but you do have ways to deal with those impossible kids if that is needed. It is, however, important to remember that Chinese children are under extreme pressure to perform in school. Working from 8 in the morning to 8 in the evening from monday to friday, and with additional classes in the weekends and little or no free time is not unusuall. At the same time they are often treated like small kings and queens because they are the familys only child and hope for the future. So, to once in a while encounter a spoiled little devil that is just fed up and doesnt understand, or care, that his behaviour is unacceptable is therefore just a part of teaching in China.

I have spent 2 years in China so far, 1,5 of them in Lianyungang. It is not a touristy city, and it is far from a internationl metropol. But the city is on the rise, and for those who wants to see how traditional China meets modern China its a good place to be. Its easy to get to know people, both other foreigners and locals, and new things to do pop up all the time. You can find teachers for everything from piano and guitar to traditional chinese caligraphy and marshall arts, and with your salary you can definitely afford the lot! I have no problem recommending both the city and the Aston school here to anyone who wants to experience China!