Oh, how I wish such postings as this one were rare and unusual!

Unfortunately, in my years' of experience in China (which will end VERY SOON), such stories and observations are almost the norm around this country.

For those outside of China who might be reading this -- take heed!

Despite its unique attractions, China is a very bad place in general, for foreign teachers to work. The students will mostly be kind, but the rest of it: school "managers," contract terms, etc., will be a tangled and messy web of bizarre behavior and notions, and all quite unreliable and often, unbelievable (in more ways than one)!

And don't fall for the "China is a developing country" crap (as justification for your pitiful salary and poor working conditions) because plenty of people are buying condos and limos from the profits they make from desperate parents and earnest, well-intentioned foreigners. We are viewed as cash cows, not educators here.

Look elsewhere if you wish to teach English outside your home country!