I think many new teachers can be very naive about working overseas, even experienced troopers like Ellis can get caught out by a less than honest employer.

I also believe that most readers can distinguish between a post like his one and one by a snot-nosed whiner who doesn't like the fact his boss can't speak English, or the buttons on his washing machine are labeled in Korean.

People need to be warned of the possible problems in finding a job via internet, but it would also be nice for people to share their good experiences too.

Which of course some people do.

> XI...XI...XI...FOR GOD'S SAKE, GIVE ME A BREAK ALREADY! WHEN
> REFERRING TO MY AGE, YOUR PATRONIZING MANNER, ASIDE OF LACKING
> DIGNITY, BESPEAKS OF YOUR IGNORANCE IN RECOGNIZING THAT MY COMPLAINT
> AGAINST A SCHOOL REPRESENTS MERELY ONE CASE OF MANY POSTED ON EVERY
> TEACHERS FORUM BOARD THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN! FOR AN INDIVIDUAL AS
> INTELLIGENT AND WORLDLY AS YOU WOULD HAVE EVERYONE ACCEPT, FOR THE
> LIFE OF ME, I CANNOT COMPREHEND YOUR STEADFAST RESISTANCE IN
> ADMITTING THAT THERE ARE MOST CERTAINLY DEEP-SEATED PROBLEMS IN THE
> CHINESE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM ... ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RELATES TO
> "THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE" OF FOREIGN TEACHERS. IF IT WERE
> AS ROSY AS YOU WOULD HAVE US BELIEVE, WHY THEN ARE THERE SO MANY OF
> US BLOODY FOREIGNERS PACKING OUR BAGS AND LIGHTING OUT FOR GREENER
> PASTURES? AGAIN, I AM NOT INFERRING THAT ALL EMPLOYMENT SITUATIONS IN
> CHINA ARE AS INCORRIGIBLE AS MY SAD EXPERIENCE WOULD INDICATE.
> HOWEVER, SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BY THE RIGHT PARTIES IN GOVERNMENT TO
> CONTROL ALL ESL SOURCES ...
> SCHOOLS AND AGENCIES ALIKE.
>
> =========================================================================

> ANOTHER IDIOTIC COMMENT! SUCH ARROGANCE! IT'S ONE THING TO BE
> PATRIOTIC TO ONE'S COUNTRY, BUT THIS ... THIS ... WHAT'S THE
> @!%*& USE?
>
> =========================================================================

> BELIEVE ME, I WISH THAT I COULD DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE HOMELESS AND
> WORKING IMPOVERISHED OF THIS CITY, AND I'LL ADMIT THAT THIS IS A
> PROBLEM WHICH MUST BE ADDRESSED AND RESOLVED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.
> YOU SEE, I'M NOT HIDING THE FACT THAT WE, TOO, HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS.
> AND, AS FOR MY PERSONALLY DOING SOMETHING TO HELP THE SITUATION, NOT
> HAVING BEEN ELECTED TO PUBLIC OFFICE, I PLAN TO DO THE NEXT BEST
> THING: VOTE FOR THE RIGHT CANDIDATE IN NOVEMBER!
>
> =========================================================================

> OOOOOWWWWW! YOU'RE DEFINITELY CRUISIN' FOR A BRUISIN'!
>
> =========================================================================

> WELL, MY DEAR FRIEND XI, I HAVE STATED MY OPINION, AND THE
> CONSTITUTION OF THIS COUNTRY ALLOWS ME AT LEAST THAT PRIVILEGE. NOW,
> IF YOU FIND THE REALITY OF IT MUCH TOO STRENUOUS TO BEAR, THEN I
> MIGHT SUGGEST SOME PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING ... OR ... YOU CAN ALWAYS
> KISS MY OVERSIZED DERRIERE!

> CHEERS.

Putting the responsibility in your country's government to help others in your community is a lame argument. You are an experienced English teacher. 1000's of legal immigrants in L.A. wanting to learn-improve their English, all you have to do is call your YMCA, etc. and volunteer 1-2 hrs a week. My English is so-so and I help others in my community 2 times per week to learn English (poor adults at night). I also tell these people that people is good everywhere with no exception.

When your conscience says the law is immoral e.g. If you think that the constitution of China is not acceptable to you. Then you are a Loser by coming to China.

XI

>
> ==========================================================================

> My dear Paul,

> I must admit that I was MOST impressed with your powers of
> interpretation and lucidity as pertaining to my earlier post. Yes, it
> would appear that the anger stemming from my "Chinese Dream
> Job" experience has abated somewhat, albeit the frustration end
> of it will probably take a wee bit longer ... perhaps the remainder
> of my days on this bloody planet! Then, too, when you mentioned that
> my PRIDE had been hurt the most, I think you zeroed-in on the exact
> state of affairs, whilst not even realizing that I was a LEO, born
> under the sign of the lion! BRAVO! In any event, I will very shortly
> return to the grind (as a full-time TOEFL/TOEIC instructor) right
> here in Los Angeles. Granted this is the specialty I enjoy most in
> the ESL domain, my well-known gypsy tendency is again beckoning me to
> catch a plane, boat, or train to ... to ANYWHERE!

> Yes, I agree in that it IS a great pity the MOE is doing practically
> nothing to assist EFL instructors from being exposed to persecution
> by those agencies and schools guilty of perpetrating same. On the
> other hand, it is quite plain see that the Chinese Ministry of
> Education is spending a lot of time, effort, and capital in preparing
> for 2008 -- inclusive of strengthening the efforts to learn English
> by inviting hundreds (maybe thousands!) of native speakers to China.
> This is a most commendable plan, while it seems to be working fine.
> However, as we both agree, something must likewise be both RECOGNIZED
> and DONE to safeguard the interests of ALL concerned, including the
> very teachers whom they have been luring from distant shores. Talk of
> "dream jobs" merely used as scams for illicit money-making
> MUST be stamped out at the source. Only in this way can we have the
> ideal conditions for '08 ... happy people on all sides who are proud
> to make their contribution to the longevity of the Olympic spirit.

> Thank you for your comments, and warm cheers to all!

I found amazing that a person as old as you generalize when comes to a large country like China. If you had a bad experience with a school, recruiter, that is an isolated case. Go and complain to that recruiter-school but STOP generalizing. As for your comment of the 2008 games. Well sir. China is already the third largest economy of the world and growing fast. Those games are really not a big deal anymore. I also suggest that you use your "last days in this bloody world" as you mentioned, trying to make life better in the real bad areas of L.A. e.g. South Central, etc. Don't you feel bad that people in these areas, specially elderly like you, can not afford to see a doctor and there is not health plan in place. What have you done for your community at home lately? Like they say, when we get old, we know everything, but the problem is that we forget. If you are looking for compassion, support, etc. Stop using China as an excuse.

XI