When I taught in China, it was from my experience that non-native English speaking teachers i.e. people from the Phillipines, etc., had a very difficult time finding and maintaining teaching positions. Many teachers that I have known that were in such situations were extremely well-educated and qualified individuals, so it was unfortunate that because they didn't satisfy the school's desire for a "foreign looking" individual, they weren't given the credit that they deserved. Quite often, I have seen more value placed upon a blonde, blue-eyed, white-skinned English teacher, than on an African or an individual from the Phillipines, although the white person had less experience and qualifications. Because we as foreigners can never truly understand Chinese culture, it's kind of difficult to understand how Chinese feel about foreign teachers, but I have had Chinese say to me that, "foreign teachers are clowns or prizes that a school can flash to show how much money they have". At first, I thought that this must be an overstatement, but if you really think about it, why else would most employers need a picture with your resume? Why do they take you to copious dinners and exhibition visits? Why are you advertised and paraded around so much? Because it's true. People from the Phillipines blend in with the natives too much. You look like them and are not "flashy" enough in their eyes, and because of this, people like Yu Lian Hua will walk all over you. YOU ARE HIGHLY EDUCATED, QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED and INTELLIGENT men and women who don't deserve to be used as stepping stones for her muddy shoes. I worked for Lian and I recall vividly the day that she told me and two other white foreigners in her office that she wasn't going to hire any more whites, but rather that she would stick to the "Blacks and Filipinos because they don't give her any trouble and they want less money"...translation: she thinks you will eat dirt as fast as she can shovel it because you need the money. I thought that I would bite my tongue off that day, because Lord knows if I said anything, I'd probably starve to death. During Christmas that year, us teachers went for nearly 3 months with no salary (actually, no, sorry, she loaned us 500 RMB) while she bragged about buying over 100,000 RMB worth of Baijiu and gifts for the school administration/headmasters. I remember being in attendance as 5 workers carried gift bags into the office by the armload, and the packages covered the whole office floor. We couldn't even buy anything for Christmas, while she greased the palms of her pals! Respect yourself...don't let anyone use you and don't be afraid of leaving the company, she can't do a thing to you. Ask a Chinese friend to translate the "work permit" she has on her office wall; the document says nothing of being allowed to employ foreign teachers, or that she runs an educational business...oh, and also it's in her sister's name and not hers (on account of her being a U.S. citizen, she had to do it that way since China doesn't recognize dual citizenship). So, unless you know her sister...no worries. Also, she's not going to report you to anyone, since she doesn't have a permit from the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs to have you there in the first place...she'd just be ratting herself out. Be safe...take care, and good luck to you all. P.S. Jenny...Lian wanted to "get rid of you" (fire you) several times but asked other foreign teacher's advice and we saved your butt by talking her out of it on at least 2 occasions. To teachers who are angry with Jenny...she's just a pawn. All of you are. She has to keep polishing the proverbial knob for Lian, otherwise she'll end up in a very bad situation, so obviously she's going to look out for number one and protect her best interests. Jenny is a very nice person and I know that she must feel awful when she has to communicate things to the staff that she knows in her heart are wrong. Lian expects her managers to do her dirty work and act as human shields when she throws poop at the fan. Why else would she have gone through so many managers? I guess that eventually the stink just gets too strong. It's not Jenny's fault...I also commend her for lasting as long as she has...Lian's puppets would typically have quit long before now. Now, go have a Baijiu, Pijiu, or whatever and think about what I just said ;) Over and out.