I agree a lot of the rules are BS, however, isn't professionalism expected back in the UK, i.e. being expected to turn up on time for classes or your job whatever it maybe. In the UK it would first carry a verbal warning, then second, then written warning as final warning. If once more, would result in dismissal. This rule is probably due to a lot of the backpacker dosser types who come late due to being hungover, stoned, slept in late, add favourite excuse for tardiness here...

My guess is as there aren't adequate laws to safeguard the rights of the FT and make the employer equally responsible, neither side knows where they stand, so the crappy places see fit to impose these fines with impunity, since in the absence of any law they are free to get away with it. Chinese labour law, only to my knowledge, covers Chinese nationals. SAFEA as we have found out is just a white elephant. What is needed is a universal labour law that equally applies to all, and especially protects foreign workers rights. So if they fine you for being late, fine, but you also should expect AND receive a payment of the full salary for that class period fromthem if they cancel it at the last minute.

I would imagine it is safe to assume that being called a lackey, weasel or an unqualified fast food service worker could be considered insulting to those working in a training school. Even suggesting that they are not really teaching but generating income seems to be insulting when there are plenty of people who genuinely want to make a difference in their students lives.

There are problems working at training schools as there are problems working at public schools. Many people have worked in both types of institutions and find training schools to be better. I have worked at both university and high school level. At both of these there was much more of a focus on cash and not quality. Students can hand in every test blank and still pass AND get teacher recommendations. Why? Because the students are paying customers. Teachers will fail students just to have the school administration change the grades. I know I am not the only one to have this experience. Have you had anything similar happen?

Also to focus solely on the problems of training schools and in turn call them crap because of these problems might also be construed as insulting. Many people working in these training centres try their best to do a good job and it is hurtful and insulting when people who have obvious grudges against training schools tell them they working at a crap school. Each place must stand on its own merits and to lump them all together is misguided.

Instead of telling people that a place is crap maybe it would be better to warn them of the less desirable aspects of a training school and what they can do to ensure they are not put in that position. I have never done an unpaid demo class and if the school tells me it is dependent on my employment I merely tell them I will go to another school. If all foreign teachers did the same then unpaid demos would become a thing of the past. Having experienced people working at these schools would also offset the problems if they are willing to disagree with things that do not make sense. I once had a school tell me I would pay a fine if I was late to class, when I asked them if they would pay a fine if they ever cancelled a class without giving me a timely warning they told me no. Needless to say I did not go to work there, others have and continue to do so, which allows that school to keep their rules.

Exchange of information, anecdotal experiences, and suggestions are what is needed on these posts not derision and name calling.

Given that The median years a person stays in one job is 4.1 years (2008), an avg person will have to have 7-10 jobs.

It is amazing how when one hears training centres they assume that the teachers are inexperienced, incapable and unintelligent. Using your example of the fellow at new star you seem to be suggesting that because he tried a variety of different jobs he is unable to be an effective teacher. There is no mention of his attitude, his life experiences or what his ultimate goals are. Would it not be a good thing to employ someone who has a variety of experiences to draw upon. If he is willing and has a positive attitude towards the job could he not be molded into an effective teacher? It is probably best to judge each individual applicant wanting to come to China based on their personality rather than only by their past experience.

On this post and many others there is this broad generalization that any foreigner willing to teach at a training school is a layabout who is unable to find a worthwhile life in their native country. Those generalizations are insulting to those that have made a choice to do something very few people back home will. Some do find out that teaching is not their calling but there are others that truly do well at it, and effectively contribute to their adopted homeland.

As for training schools they do have advantages that public schools, high schools and universities do not. Smaller class sizes, higher levels of motivation by both students and parents and an ability to cull those from the school with no desire to learn English are all the things "real schools" can not do.

From what I understand these forums are meant to help the teachers living abroad be informed and given choices. If all these forums are is for trolling and personally insulting individuals I would have to say it is a sad state of affairs.