Agreed, Turnoi. Testimonials are but another tool used by Chinese schools to lure teachers and students. Those rather glowing testimonials remind me of the old TV advertisements in America; such as, nine out of ten doctors prefer Camels (cigarettes). Yeah, I really believe that.

However, it does raise an interesting point. That is, how is one to choose a school that is honorable in China? We advise newbies to do their research and that includes the testimonials of past teachers, yet at the same time we remind them to be wary of such testimonials. The sad truth is that EFL in China is a mine field through which one must step lightly. The longer I'm here (maybe too long already) the more I realize that, so I can't deny that I've become extremely jaded. Even when I've found a decent place to work in terms of prompt payment, decent accommodations and etc. I still find that I have to do my best to accept certain sad truths that have to do with the quality of education being provided. I had hopes, a few years back, that things would get better, but instead I've seen a slow -sometimes speedy- slippage towards inanity. I also had hopes that college students would find their feet and actually stand up on two legs and cry out against the quality of education being provided, but that doesn't seem to be happening either. It's a paradox actually; spoiled young folks with muted voices.

Truth be told, it won't be long until I leave. Whether or not that happens of my own volition or because they show me the door due to my outspokenness remains to be seen. Nevertheless, I miss the sound academic values and commitment to excellence that existed at the colleges where I used to teach ESL in America. I miss, too, the motivation of the immigrants and the international students I taught there. Interestingly, and I apologize for this digression, I see the hope for China's future, a future I once imagined being a part of, diminishing as more and more of its brainiest young people choose to study abroad. Of course, as we all are well aware, a huge percentage of them never return. Brain drain in epic proportions. It's a sad thing to behold. Nevertheless, I think my time will be better spent in America helping international students from China and elsewhere, not to mention immigrants who realize that their hopes and dreams hinge on improving their language skills.

Yes, I feel as though I've given it my best shot; however, my hard work has gone largely unnoticed and unappreciated here. My advice, then, to newbies who buy into the notion of "broadening their horizons" in "exotic China" is to come here first as a tourist; check things out carefully and then decide if you really want to give your best in an environment that will, at its worst, stab you in the back, and, at it's best, waste your valuable time that would be better spent and more appreciated elsewhere.

Jaded? Yep, you betcha!