One reason I've heard about why there are so many negative stories is that happy people don't bother to come back to the esl teachersboard to make a fuss. They are busy seeing the town or working only come back with a problem or to find another job.

Your hours can be anything from 5 hours each morning out by noon to 2 hrs here and there stretched throughout the day (very bothersome!) you can ask clarification from the school. An answer of I don't know or it depends may mean you won't like the answer. 6 days a week plus the name kids castle sounds like a private school, which means you may work a few hours in the evening and they might sublet you to a regular school in the mornings which means long days.

Someone saying just go sounds a little sketchy. I don't think a tourist visa can be changed to a work visa but it is true that these things can be bought by the right people (or wrong people). It is good that it is taking so long as that may mean it is going through the proper channels.

My advice don't rush in, find a legitimate school, with a one year contract you'll see at least one new year. If you go to harbin the festival of ice is nice check out my pictures at www.flickr.com/people/neonguru100/ (a shameless plug).