Hello everyone,

It has been a long time since I had something positive to say about a school, anywhere. I started my ESL experience in Korea in May of 2003, and left two years later with low respect for Koreans....and I'm not alone in that opinion.

After ending up stranded in Korea, I had an opportunity to come to China. I"m not going to say the name of my first school, but it is very well known, many branches spread across China, and has a pretty much negative reputation (its headquarters are based in Shanghai). After three months there, I learned my lesson, as I did in Korea.

Following that experience, I guess it was fate, or something beyond my control, an opportunity with a public middle school in Jiayuguan came up...at the last minute. Ironically, I was on my way to Shenyang, to work for ALIFA Sushan school.......but, a series of events happened.

1. I found money in my account my parents had sent me weeks earlier, and I did not even know about it. I was going to combine that with the money I had , and just go home and give Asia "the finger".

2. Then, I read a posting about the school on this sight, and I was thanking my lucky stars I was going home.........so I thought.

But, as I said, at the last possible minute, I had this offer from this middle school. They said to at least stop by, and talk with them. If I did not like it, I could go (like I needed their permission, ha!). So, I did.

Granted, I am in the middle of nowhere, in Gansu provence. There is not one decent grocery store, and I can't buy underarm deoderant anywhere in this town..............but.......here is what the school has done for me.

1. I teach no more than 20 classes a week, each being 45 minutes long.

2. I have the option to move class times around, if I see fit.

3. Overtime, although is appreciated, it is optional.

4. 5,000 RMB per month

5. Air fare reimbursed upon the first pay day (speaking of, I have only taught a total of 24 classes, but I got paid for the entire month!!!!!)

6. I was allowd a 6 month contract, and I have THREE TIME the amount of vacation time I did with ...the previous private school........or ANY private school.

7. Kick ass accomadation (a bedroom, a study room, a sun room, a computer, TV, kitchen, living room, and pleanty of sunlight.........which is a joy, seeing as how I spent my first three months in Urumqi, in an apartment comparable to a dungeon...as far as lack of sunlight goes)

8. A 50 RMB travel allowence.

9. A 50 RMB phone allowence (making my salary 5100 RMB a month)

10. No pressure, no hassles, no "free labour" workshops, no idiotic scheduling, no placement interviews, etc.

11. This week is exam week.........I don't have class. Then, we have three weeks of PAID HOLIDAY. Although, I volunteerd to teach some elementary school classes this week, to give me something to do.

The staff at this school have done their absolute best to treat me well. And although, I am still on my gaurd, which stems from Korea, I do appreciate their hostipality and generosity. Yes, it is still frustrating at times...but....for once, the good highly outweights the bad.....and there really isn't any. My frustrations only stem from past experience, and I"m trying to get over that, and gain back that excitement of being abroad. A good way to do that is to work for a good schoo.

WE NEED ANOTHER TEACHER AFTER THE BREAK. I replaced one, who just finished his contract. The other has moved on, after a two year stint here, so we need one more. The town is not much, but there is cold beer to be found, good food to be eaten, the accomadation is right next to a major hotel (so you can have decent Western food when needed), friendly locals, great students, and warm school that would be happy just to get someone way out here in the Gobi Desert............and I would be happy to have a drinking buddy (c'mon, you know what I mean).

By the way, I did not intentionally start this as a recruitment add. I wanted to say somethign positive about a good school. It is easier for people to speak of the negative schools, and although they are more than likely true, we don't hear enough postive things.

If there are any good teachers out there who want 6 months off the beaten path, let me know.

Have a great day!

And for those teachers who are stuck in the rut at a bad school...............you leave it man, you can leave it!

DMBFAN