> Who in their right mind would want to paint a bulls eye on the chest
> and say, Im an agent? Agencies stay clear of forums not for fear
> but because its a useless battle. Peoples mind are already made up
> and even God cant convince them of any thing different. Therefore,
> most of agencies let you all rediscover the wheel.

> Even if you are a legitimate placement service people are going to
> shoot arrows no matter what. Every incoming teacher wants something
> for free with no accountability that would expose their common
> inabilities to adjust to culture, customs, living in a foreign land,
> and working in developing country. Some of the worst teachers in
> China are English teachers themselves. Some of the best are those who
> majored in other fields like history or elementary education. Some
> teachers are bound by Western classroom traditions instead of
> readjusting their teaching methods to reach students who are shy and
> too embarrassed to speak.

> However, for the sake of argument, I will let you guys shoot some
> arrows.

Eddie's latest exercise in self-justification should be viewed in the context of the numerous complaints against him. Check out both Dave's and Nate's. Now he's claiming to be a teacher, too? Hard to believe.

> If you go to
> http://china-tesol.com/Approved_Agents/approved_agents.html you will
> find the list of all the APPROVED agencies in China. My association,
> the IEEA, is listed there and we enjoy a wonderful record here in
> Hainan Province. Visit two online photo albums:
> http://members9.clubphoto.com/eddie466575/2727044/guest.phtml
> http://members9.clubphoto.com/eddie466575/1916667/guest.phtml Most
> of the complaints about agencies are due to teachers using the fly
> by night agencies that do nothing but take your money. They give all
> agencies a bad rap and many ESL teachers are guilty of lumping all
> agencies in barrel. I hate them myself and I know that they sell you
> to the highest bidder and then abandon you. Even I would like to
> catch them in some dark alley one night and put a good southern
> whipping on them.

> The funny thing is that teachers who do come in independently will
> still complain about schools, salary, China and living conditions,
> etc. Did an agent do this to him? No! He did it to himself yet no
> independent teacher ever says, Hey look at what I did to myself. He
> will still blame others for his lack of understanding China.

> Ive lived in China since 1993. Ive seen more than my fair share of
> teachers who were nothing but throwbacks from Western countries. Not
> only could they not survive in China but also they couldnt survive
> back home either. Many times they are the biggest grippers and
> complainers you will find on forums.

> In these forums there are a FEW teachers you could probably trust and
> theyve given good advice. The Arrogant One seems to be on top of
> things. DOS and ESL in Asia seem to have a grasp of China or Asia.
> Others Im not so sure. Be careful in whom you listen to and what you
> believe. The forums are full of misdirection and info.

> Fellow teacher in Hainan, Eddie
> www.hainan.motime.com