That's all right to disagree my friend. You rightly stated that many training centres are not up to par. That is where we the FTs come in, we can make the difference; my friends, my associates and I have proven this in our city. (see prior post) I won't justify that statement again with boring details. Don't limit the purported deceitful actions just to ESL though, as the same-said culture is deeply entrenched in Chinese business culture and in life, but not totalitarialy. It was once stated by a business associate I had dealings with that, 'the national sport in China is deceit.' I personally can neither confirm nor deny that statement but I have seen evidence to suggest that this is all part of a culture that is represented alongside ''mian zi." No lies--no face. Even many younger Chinese live by this principle. In western culture we just call it an exaggeration which in itself is deceit. Granted, not all Chinese people or western people are like that, but once again, to take an element of one statement out of context and to base a response purely on that is really not presenting it to be scrutineered by the status quo.

I am by no means an authority on this subject but searches over the last 6-7 years of dealings in the PRC, five of them as a resident, have uncovered loads of information from reported cases that, in the early 1980s, but not limited just to the 80s, many would be international investors and companies entered the immature Chinese market, with a view of capitalising within a rising market economy. The entry was easy, profiting was not and even worse was getting any profit back out. The Chinese within that era were amongst the most unscrupulous business persons across the world, but again we can't isolate one nationalistic group without stating that unscrupulous dealers exist globally. Many FOEs that entered China in those days lost--countless millions remained within the system here somehow -- and the dreamers walked away with their tails between their legs. Why? They simply didn't understand the culture. Call it deceit, call it what you want but doing business in China requires that you understand the culture and when the chips are down you better have the power to influence or you might get your little pinkies burnt.

On that note, I have extensive personal dealings with the directors of this company. I support them 100%, but I do not support all their policies and they know that all too well; at the same time I support my clients 120%. In addition to that, any FTs who work with me must have high-level service ethics to balance what the system lacks. We can make up the gap. As for Chinese business culture--only the Chinese understand that and really only the Chinese have the power to change that. Personally, the founding directors of this company have integrity, they never burnt anyone in the formative years when NDI was in the embryonic stages of formation. They granted us a workable structure, their doors, their hearts and their emails were open for consultation; they adjudicated many times to override regional middle management who were unjustly dealing or interpreting the contractual values in the face of foreigners. Let it be said, that in latter days, it is impossible to be able to adjudicate for every problem that arises at regional level. As any company grows there enters the possibility that many individuals assuming the mantle of management will interpret and apply the principles tainted with their own scruples. That is regretable but nevertheless a fact of life.

Times are changing but it has taken years, in fact more than thirty years for the progress to take shape. Like all spheres of business and business related culture in China, ESL is currently in reform and reclassification mode. The changes taking place through SAFEA at present are extensive. The avenue for complaints resolution will improve, and any unscrupulous companies will be facing the possibility of heavy duress under investigation. Likewise foreigners, who previously flittered around from school to school without accountability, usually under F visas, will also be scrutinised more severely. For example, it was reported that around fifteen hundred foreigners got sent out of the Suzhou region prior to 2008 Beijing Olympics. Many more were sent packing from regional centres to get rid of the potential riff-raff, improve security and raise accountability levels. It stands to reason that, an uncontracted teacher has no accountability and therefore no substantial or legal grounds to be in China, no avenue for complaints resolution and limited grounds for national security to be able to monitor their activities. This industry, like all facets of society up here, is in a shift away from the corrupt acceptance of the norm/past into the futuristic dominion of the 'rule of law.' The application of the rule of law is of paramount importance for the PRC admin and long with that, the relevant applicatives will result in rapid changes in the ESL arena. The PRC administrative government, under the directorship of the chief legislator Wu Bang Guo, is reforming and redefining the societal laws and values that govern across all spheres of society. This includes massive changes and enforced administration to the domestic workplace labour and relations policies and the employment of foreign experts. For example, it is reported that in the not too distant future, minimum age levels of foreign teaching experts across China will be 30 years of age. It is supposed that, by that age the teacher has the skills development, the maturity and the knowledge of the English culture, along with a greater potential to adapt to the changes in an alien culture. There might also be some grounds to add that, perhaps the mature foreigner is perhaps assumed to be more morally inclined as well to reflect the moral principles of Chinese culture. Although it always has been a requirement for a foreign expert to have a minimum BA, that prerequisite is now beginning to be strictly required, along with a TESOL/TEFL as a minimum. Not only that, although a prior requisite, a minimum requirement of two years experience teaching ESL is being enforced as well in some jurisdictions. Currently, the SAFEA online test allows for some leeway if the proposed candidate can meet minimum online test results and rate as potentially suitable for ESL.
My point is, why argue about what was; if any ESL training institute does not shape up they will be facing severe scrutiny in the future. Mark my words, many are and will fall but due to a high-level of intelligence within NDIs directors they will stand the test of time. They are a damn sight smarter than us because this is their culture. We can sit back and 'point the bone' --but they know the bigger picture of how life works up here in their complex societal structure. Believe me, others have been through all the struggles that caused many of you to fold up and 'throw the baby out with the bath water' -- but by standing the test of time, making the changes where they could, standing by their clients and supporting those in the company who supported them, a certain level of satisfaction that they did their job has been acheived. Therfore, if one gets established, applies a mark of influence, then great career opportunities exist within this company.

To finish off; if you want a great job and my personal negotiating support email kaibo88@gmail.com. I will not recruit for any other city than my own sphere of influence, which is Hefei city of Anhui Province. It is a great city with reasonable management and conditions. Don't be shy, give us a try!