In response to lily - ESL school review (Foshan Lingdong Educational Training School)

I don't believe you, and am not fooled by your horn blowing. You say your school was awarded as one of the "Top Five Approved Language Training Organizations for Children & Youth in China 2004." Awarded by whom? Funny how you failed to mention that. I was awarded "The Best Darn EFL Teacher in China in 2005." Oh yeah, that's right, I gave myself that award. Nice little award though - I've had it framed and it's now hanging in my office.

Oh, by the way, this forum is for reviews, not for advertising. If you want to advertise, fork over the cash dude.

Newcomers to EFL beware. Private schools and training centers in China are getting more and more clever at luring unsuspecting teachers. In my opinion - an opinion formed from three years experience in China, do not sign up to teach at a private school in China until you have been here for awhile. At that point, when you know the ropes, you can check them out thoroughly. And that means visiting their school, viewing the apartment they've offered and being sure that all other benefits offered are above board by checking with previous or current employees. Will they provide you with a computer and free internet access? Will all household expenses be paid? Will you be sent all over the city for teaching assignments when you've been promised otherwise? Will they pay for your visa, or will they actually deduct it from your paycheck and tell you that's what you agreed upon? Is your visa actually legal - are they actually licensed to hire foreigners? How many hours will you teach? And of course, what about the pay? They'll tell you that you can live very comfortably on what they're offering, but in truth that's rarely the case. A private school should offer you at least 7,000RMB per month. If not, they're profit mongers and are no doubt laughing all way to the bank and thinking "stupid, naive foreigners" on the way.

One easy method of determining the honesty of the person who is hiring you is to ask very probing questions. (You'll be surprised at how often that will be the end of their interest in you.) If you're looking at such a job from afar, despite my warning to not do so, request pictures of your living quarters and the school. Don't be fooled by pretty pictures of the landscaping outside of the school or the apartment. Request contact information so that you can speak to or email prior teachers.

The sad truth is that the EFL scene in China right now is way off the charts in terms of what you may expect in comparison to what you get. Many of us who have been fortunate to land a position where there are few problems have chosen to stay put vs. taking chances with a new position. At the university where I now teach there are three different colleges that hire foreign teachers. Now there are more than 40 of us on this campus and the majority of us have repeatedly signed new contracts as the old ones expire. I've met teachers that have been here for more than four years and have no intention of leaving; furthermore, not one of us would ever consider teaching at a private school - except perhaps during a two week gig in the summer for some quick extra cash, and only with a local school that we've checked out very closely. As a recent poster, named Jules, mentioned, it used to be the norm to go from one school to the other so that one could see more of China. But he further mentions how that idea is quickly changing into a recognition that given the opportunity to travel during the holiday periods, it's just not worth the risk anymore.

Once again, avoid private schools altogether or at least until you're not a newcomer to this wild scene. If you have the necessary qualifications - a BA in any discipline and a TESOL Certificate, you can easily get a job at a university or college. But don't go through a recruiter - yeah, they're cut from the same cloth as dishonorable private school owners. Contact the Foreign Affairs Office of the university you're interested in; however, be careful not to be taken in by someone claiming to be a Foreign Affairs Officer when, in reality, they are the lacky of a particular low level college. (Technical Colleges are notorius for using this ploy.)

Finally, do some serious research. Many cities in China are now dangerously polluted as a result of the economic boomtimes. Some areas have water that is so contaminated you wouldn't want to bathe in it, let alone drink it. Others have such poor air quality that there are serious efforts underway to cover up the truth; however, it's hard to hide the grim reality of tens of thousands of premature deaths annualy, caused by cardiopulmonary disease and the like.
Again, do your research. "Come to exotic China." "Enjoy the opportunity of a lifetime." Not. Well, maybe, but only if you avoid making the same mistakes that so many have made before you.