When trusting folks land in a typical training center and quickly discover that things were not exactly as rosy as portrayed and promised (highly likely) they'll be wishing they had heeded the words of those who offered warning and named names -- schools and "managers." Those who are making sweeping claims that all is basically OK the ESL traning center/hagwon industry of China and South Korea aren't doing anyone any favors. Until they can name a school worth travelling to and trusting (and one where they are not recruiters who pocket extra fees for convincing unsuspecting newbies) Silverboy, Turnoi, and I (and quite a few other wounded but wiser ones) will keep shining a light on English "establishments" to avoid.

Thanks for not falling into the trap of blasting all training centers in China just because a few are substandard. Anyone that states that all of them are bad schools to work for is spreading malicious rumors. The facts are that there are always foreigners applying for teaching posts there irrespective of the misinformation generated by the occasional troublemaker. And we should acknowledge that children attending them get a head start on those that don't as regards learning a foreign language. Naturally the classes must be entertaining to keep them interested, as they're young children. Those who can't make their teaching interesting shouldn't be working there.When they teach class badly and their employers try to point them the right way, they scapegoat their employers rather than blame their own failings.

I take it that you're trying to defend training centres in China on the basis that there must be at least one of them that is excellent.A feeble defence,and one that will get no support from anyone on this board,in my view.Maybe you are one of those chidren's entertainers working in that field!Being funny in class is your teaching qualification,isn't it?

It's not just "crappy training centers" where FT's will encounter cheating and corruption. And a Z visa doesn't necessarily prevent an FT from being treated unfairly. That said, there are rascals not only among the employers, but also among the FT's. The ESL/EFL industry is unregulated,and even if it were regulated, the enforcement of regulations countrywide would be in grave doubt. At present there are many unqualified and underqualified FT's working in this country. That's good for the employers, they can pay low salaries. The aforementioned industry is a grey area and a bit of a shambles. Now, can you assure me that every training center is crappy and should be avoided? Surely there must be at least one excellent one where FT's enjoy their teaching and are treated well by their employer.