An interesting thread here - but I would argue that out of desperation and cynicism many recruiters and Schools in China do paint a rosy picture and promise people the earth. I think it is high time that these outfits GET REAL and treat their staff professionally and with respect. In many cases, contracts are not worth the paper they are written on, and I can well understand the anger and frustration of properly qualified and experienced teachers who are offered modern accommodation and instead get dirty, roach infested rooms. I can well understand the anger and frustration of teachers when their employers try to claw back money and renege on their agreements. I can well understand the anger felt when professional teachers are sent to schools with no resources at all and are expected to teach kids with no English. The list is endless - and I am sorry but Schools and Recruiters have to accept responsibility here. These Schools should not advertise for teachers giving them the impression that there is plenty of time to explore and travel around China - when in reality the teachers will be working a 6 day week with no paid holiday leave whatsoever. These Schools should not hire people who have no teaching qualifications or experience. They do - and then they wonder why the sh*t hits the fan.
Yes - these Schools are businesses and they are there to make money. Yet these businesses will fail if they continue to try and pull fast ones on their staff. Time for these schools to GET REAL and act professionally. The ones that do act professionally have no problems hiring staff and getting clientele. Excuses like "China is a developing country" are pathetic. If China wants to succeed it has to encourage a culture in education where there are no lies, no bullsh*t, no scams. In Zhuhai there is a sorry little school which is failing because it has no clue how to treat its staff. They are even interviewing people from Latin America for jobs teaching English! In Zhuhai, another school terminates their teaching staff's contracts just before the summer holidays in order not to pay staff over the holiday period. Many of these places do not give a damn about education or standards - but hey we can put all this dishonesty and stupidity down to the condescending remark that China is still a developing country. Fact is that many Schools are crying out for teachers. Why don't they come? Simply because they will not stand for the amateurish, unprofessional way that Schools conduct their business. GET REAL is a lesson that these schools should be learning.