The last I heard there are approximately 180,000 FTs in China, so your point is well taken; that is, only a handful of those teachers actually participate in forums. However, I think you've failed to take into account that a huge amount, if not the majority, of those teachers have agendas that have nothing to do with a desire to be good teachers and that as long as they're getting paid for what is basically part time work they're not going to make waves. For them, the real issues are not issues at all. Nevertheless, I do agree with you to a certain extent. The naysayers seem to have the loudest voices. It's not quite as bad as they would have us believe. On the other hand, it's not exactly a walk in the park either. I guess the truth falls somewhere in between. The advice to avoid private training schools is good advice. I always suggest learning the ropes first before making such a choice. So, yes, public schools and universities are best for a greenhorn. Even then, though, you must be cautious and be prepared to lower your expectations and standards. Disappointment lurks around every corner. Your colleagues will often disappoint you and the Chinese side will definitely disappoint you at times.