"What I would like to see, and overseas teachers will probably have to do this themselves, is better more constructive communication and better organisation amongst themselves, though this may have to start at a local level."
JN

Sure enough, it would have to start at a local level, but even that, I fear, would be an uphill battle. While thinking about what you've written, I've tried to imagine any kind of solidarity amongst the 50 or so FTs working at three different colleges at this university. Sadly, I just can't see it happening. Out of those 50 teachers, most of which I have had at least a modicum amount of communication with, I would guess that three or four at best would be willing to accept the challenge.

I think the major hurdle would be that most of these teachers are transient. Not necessarily "back pack teachers," but certainly mobile in the sense that they're here only temporarily because they are mostly interested in traveling around Asia and/or China and see teaching English as the means by which they can accomplish that. Of course there are also several, if not many, who are only hanging out long enough to establish their relationships with their Chinese brides so that she can get a visa to travel or live abroad. Working at a local college or licensed training school is a means by which FTs secure a work visa while waiting for the bride's or wife's visa. Clearly, with such agendas their interests wouldn't be served by making waves.

Another thing to consider is that a large segment of this FT population is teaching without ever having done so in the past. Sometimes they become great teachers, sometimes not. Either way, though, they're just thankful to have the job and wouldn't want to do anything that jeopardizes their already tenuous position as unqualified, albeit gainfully employed, teachers. And, let's face it, some FTs are here just to let the good times roll. Lots of pretty girls, cheap beer, cheap travel etc. They don't mind putting up with a little garbage while working what would be considered a part time job at home. In fact, many of them don't give it a second thought; they just put in their hours and could care less about the quality of education being provided or the occasional misstep in how the Chinese side deals with their promises.

Those of us who give a damn are the ones who have the biggest problems. Or, as Silverboy has rightly stated, many schools would rather hire non-professionals as they're more pliable, more easily manipulated. And then of course there's always a few FTs who have learned to play the game the way the Chinese do. They're the pets who get pampered and could care less about the other teachers.

I think, though, that this discussion isn't complete without pointing out the extreme difference between working in the public sector and the private sector. As I've tried to make clear before, I believe that many FTs, especially those who work for private schools run by con artists, are participants in the sham. I believe that would be a good place to start. If FTs would simply refuse to work at such schools, they'd have a hard time operating. Stating that, though, is where I always catch a lot of flak. I can understand that. After all, many of those who end up working at those jobs are the uninitiated; they don't have a clue about what they're getting into. But, again, many do have a clue and could care less that they're part of the scam.

By my way of thinking, it logically follows that the responsibility lies with the government. They should, after all, be doing their best to protect the population against corruption. The only step I've seen them take, however, is to insist that all private schools be legally licensed to hire foreigners. Fat lot of good that's done. Foreign governments need to be more forceful also. They should be quite adamant about insisting that their citizens be better protected against corrupt school owners.

We'd all like to see the sham schools close down. I've never really argued that point. I have argued that it needs to be viewed from all sides. The stated objective of some posters to close down schools is a good one, but I don't see it happening without the government getting hugely involved. In fact, again, I'd like to see all governments get involved. It shouldn't be that difficult to warn those who are coming here on work visas to think carefully about what they're about to get themselves into.

As for public schools, the problems are less dramatic. I've seen FTs carry out successful litigation when contracts are not strictly adhered to by the Chinese side. Said litigation has helped to keep them from jumping the gun when considering straying from the original contract. On the flip side of that, though, it has caused them to hesitate or balk altogether at the idea of firing a teacher who has proven himself or herself to be totally inappropriate. The probationary clause helps that problem, but, all too often, situations arise after the probationary period has expired.

Again, the problem is multi-faceted. There are no quick or easy fixes. I realize that what I've written here is mostly just stating the obvious. But sometimes the obvious needs to be stated. Clearly, inviting this swarm of FTs into China has created a host of problems that are going to take a long time to sort out; however, in light of the fact that many, many FTs have such a variety of agendas that rarely have anything to do with teaching, expecting them to step up to the plate is, unfortunately, but a wish and a hope. For the rest of us, it's an uphill battle, indeed.