@ silverboy: I think I know the kind of younger teachers you mean. I am 34, and so consider myself young, but it seems China is now awash with a wave of guys in their late 20's who are working in training centres simply because life back home is so boring or intolerable, that even being exploited at a training centre and worked like a dog for 7-8,000 rmb a month (700-800 euros...a pittance for the hours they must work!), is better than a past life in a place they can no longer stand for whatever reason that may be.

I'll give an example of a resume of a guy which I looked over who is teaching in a second tier city in Central China.
New Star is the name of the school/centre, and FWIW ALWAYS mistrust a name like that, just a place for lackeys/weasels imho!! Anyway, a photography degree/diploma, so straight away that implies working in the arts/multimedia as a natural progression, but then the career history gets more interesting, working as a valet, working in pubs as an assistant manager/head barman, then an admin position at a dental practice, so working in fields totally unrelated to his educational background...and then all roads lead to New Star!!

Could he get a job at a public gig? Probably. But does his background qualify him for teaching English at a halfway decent uni/middle school...well, you be the judge? This is just one example of many that I have seen.

Now Shenzhen is insisting on relevant degrees, as are other parts of the world, along with two years experience and CRB clearance...in the meantime, the bored office workers, barmen, and photography degree holders will all keep flocking to China to work at training centres such as york and all the other places.

Happy new years
TL