Oh, you're a pretty long way away from Ipswich. I've been sparring with you for years, so the least I could have done is given you a bed telephone and computer for job search. I take it you will be going back to China. It is so easy to get a position and a flat there-you could easily do a bunk when you have found something more suitable, not on the Mainland. The longer you stay in UK the more your resources will be drained. England is probably not a good place for an Englishman to be these days. So, my strategy would be, temporary position in China, using their flat and internet to find a place you want to be. Good luck, San Mig.

No problem TD. Near bury, greater manchester.

I have some of my stuff stashed at a mates place, and have been alternating between sleeping in the back of his work van, a disused factory, and a mates couch when it arises. Pretty humbling when I consider I had my own free two bedroom flat in China, and rent is so low by UK standards for a nice apartment.

Thanks for your words,
SMGS

Where about in the UK are you then? I'm not spying, really not, just seeing if I can help? I'm at home at the moment. Otherwise I hope things improve for you. The UK is a wretched place, unless maybe, no I won't say it. Private school, state school, at the moment is secondary importance-I'm so sorry things are a struggle.

No no, in China, only work at a public job, work no more than 16 hours a week, have a nice and FREE flat provided, and the rest of the time study chinese, eat chinese food and drink cold beer, that simple. You GW's are just like yuppies with your seriousness regarding it all, it's only teaching english, why slog yourself to death for heavens sake?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-

You paint a picture of paradise. Oh that it were true! Your flat is likely to be a rat-infested locked-down prison, more often in a teachers' compound, where getting back home after 2230 is often a big problem; the caretaker having locked up and already in the land of nod. If your mate comes to visit you, he'll very often have to book into a hotel, because unless your visitor is a relative, he or she will not be allowed to stay the night. These rules are sometimes not enforced but you won't know that until you've moved in. No, it's better to work for a decent private school, where you'll be given a generous housing allowance, enabling you to live in luxury, away from the wretched school(who wants to live on the job?)

Enter the classroom of your state school, where sixty students will listen to you quietly and appreciatively on your first day. But after that, and for the remainder of your contract,it'll probably be a hellish business. Most Middle School and University students see the FT classes as a place to let there hair down. You will not even be able to take respite by showing them Mr Bean for 50 minutes, because none of the computers are working.

For example at my current school they are looking for 10 teachers as we have just opened a second branch in the city

Then it is not a school, but a McChain imho. With such a number of teachers required, can you be sure quality is maintained?

No no, in China, only work at a public job, work no more than 16 hours a week, have a nice and FREE flat provided, and the rest of the time study chinese, eat chinese food and drink cold beer, that simple. You GW's are just like yuppies with your seriousness regarding it all, it's only teaching english, why slog yourself to death for heavens sake?