I definitely agree that most training centers are poorly managed (by American standards at least) and many are flat out dishonest. After all - they are chasing the $$$. I will also say that the Chinese educational system could stand a great deal of improvement! I notice Turnoi that you have a great deal of posts and replies to others ... obviously you have been in China MUCH longer than I. I agree with the majority of your comments - the cheating, bribes or plain simple "pay offs". My purpose for this posting was simple. A potential client brought it to my attention and I wanted future individuals who bother to "check out" a school to know what really happened. I am NOT saying that all in our center is perfect - but we are working on improvement. At least I used my REAL name, school name and complete address with phone numbers!
The part about the apartment and pay - I also read many of these posts... often FT's complain of not being paid or their apartment is not fit to raise pigs in... I want people (prospective teachers) to know that SOME training centers actually keep their word and treat the FT's with a small dollop of respect!
Backpackers.... Many backpackers give Foreign TEACHERS a bad name. Why? Because they lack any real teacher training, teaching experience or desire to truly TEACH. Notice I did not say ALL BACKPACKERS! A local university has three on staff... one was a short order cook, another recently discharged from the army.... the university was "furnished" these "teachers" by the Chinese Foreign Office.... they had no choice IF they wanted an FT.... one has been caught three times sleeping during his "class"... OK, OK... so where the students.
As I said... I am 66 years old. This is my LAST "great adventure" and, no matter what has happened, I would not have missed it for the world! While I see many things I really don't care for, I am a GUEST of China and as such, must behave accordingly.... so I keep my mouth mostly shut and grin and bare it!
Thanks!
Alan